"Ecology - preserving the environment"

This is the leading topic for this year between students of the 8th grade at ORT Clali in Beit Shean and 8th grade students at Gross Schechter in Cleveland. The students communicate regularly via email on ecology with assistance from their teachers. The photo is from a videoconference that took place between the students where issues relating to ecology were discussed. The highlight was April when students from Gross Schechter in Cleveland spent three days together with ORT Clali students from Beit Shean.

Many thanks to:
Beit Shean staff -
Avi Schwartz - Principal
Inbal - English Teacher
Hagit Revivo - English Coordinator
Zvia Shelley - People to People Coordinator

Cleveland staff -
Jim Rogozen - Principal
Irit Selin - Hebrew Teacher
Yehudit Sharabi - Teacher
Julie Auerbach - People to People Coordinator

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Our 8th grade classes have been coming to Bet Shean for several years, meeting with their “e-pals” and their families, and doing joint activities. This year, however, was the best year ever!  There was plenty of communication before the trip, so when the students arrived in Bet Shean, the students already knew each other.

The classroom learning on Erev Yom HaShoa brought them even closer.  The Yom HaShoa ceremony was very powerful, and we were honored to be included.

The next day we went on a student-led tour of the Bet Shean excavations. The students were very creative and made the archaeological site come alive.  Then we all went hiking on Har Gilboa. The students had a great time and learned a lot about the region. They also made a connection between the Tanach and Eretz Yisrael.

That evening, our students went to their friend’s homes and experienced “Hachanasat Orchim” Israeli style. This helped them feel much more at home in Israel, and strengthened the friendships among the students.

Our final day was spent discussing the ecology project, then taking the first steps to build a self-sustaining “model” farm next to the school. Everyone was involved mixing mud and making bricks…and getting dirty! Because everyone was having such a great time, we quickly decided to extend our time with the group.  The students went back to their friend’s homes, cleaned up and we all went to Tiberias together for boat ride on the Kinneret and “walking around” dinner.  When we had to finally say goodbye there were hugs and tears.

I think this year the connection between the kids was the strongest ever. They talked about all kinds of things:  sports, music, peace, religion, clothing, ecology, history, Judaism, movies, parents, food. After a short time it was clear that they had a lot in common: a past, a present and a future.

Thank you to everyone at ORT and Partnership 2000 for making this year’s program a huge success!

Rabbi Jim Rogozen, Headmaster
Gross Schechter Day School

27601 Fairmount Blvd.
Pepper Pike, OH  44124
Office:  (216) 763-1400 x405
Fax:      (216) 763-1106
Email:    Rogozen@grossschechter.org