Case Study: The Cohen Schools

It all started with a lightbulb idea! The Cohen School teachers were exploring ways to help our students connect with Israel on a personal level. Our K-1 teacher Alyse Teitelbaum, excitingly exclaimed that we at The Cohen School should build a replica of the Kotel. This replica would provide an opportunity to connect with G-d by participating in the practice of placing slips of paper containing prayers into the cracks of the Western Wall. Together, with Alyse, teachers Shirah Cruz, Tracey Bosco, Rabbi Joel Hoffman and I questioned how we could design and deliver this educational experience so that the students could symbolically connect with ancient traditions of the Jewish people. Our goal was that the students would learn through doing and reflection. Our hope was to engage student learners to develop this connection to Israel from a far while at the same time strengthening their knowledge of Israel and their connection to each other. This creative idea inspired us to begin the school’s multi-layered Kotel replica project. The Wailing wall, in the holy city of Jerusalem, is also known as the Western Wall and by its Hebrew name the Kotel . It is the spiritual site for prayer and pilgrimage for the Jewish …show more content…
Select students shared their prayers and wishes that they were putting in the wall. Prayers to protect their families, wishes to have a loved relative feel better, desires to do better in school and private prayers directly to G-d. I then realized that it didn't matter if the wall was an exact replica. It didn't matter if it was tall enough, or if it was the right color- it was about their experience and connection to Israel and G-d. It was about building community and sharing in the traditions that Jewish people around the world cherish. I learned a valuable lesson from my students that