Hazak and VBS Day School 5th Graders Torah Study Class

Hazak and VBS Day School 5th Graders Torah Study Class

Once a month on a Monday afternoon, if you walk by the Balcony Seminar room, you’ll hear what might sound like bubbies and zaydas chatting with their grandchildren. What you’ve really chanced upon is one of the newest programs at VBS, the Hazak & VBS Day School 5^th graders Torah Study program.

This beit midrash (house of study) came about by happenstance. For several years, Hazak, the synagogue’s group for seniors 55+, had been offering a regular Torah study class. Led by the rabbis and cantors on a rotating basis, it was an opportunity for small groups to study the weekly portion.

One day last year none of the clergy were available to lead the class. But Rabbi Avi Taff was on the Day School campus and about to start a Torah class of his own. So he suggested bringing his students to join the seniors for a combined study session.

Everyone crowded into the room and broke into small study groups. Rabbi Taff had prepared a section of the Talmud, the Mishnah tractate of Pirkei Avot about the Crown of a Good Name.

“The seniors had a thoroughly enjoyable hour,” said Jerry Rabow, Hazak’s coordinator for the program, “and we found our young Day School study partners to be incredibly mature, open and intellectually curious.” This experience was so exhilarating that Hazak enthusiastically sought to schedule a repeat.

According to Rabbi Taff, today’s emphasis on youth culture could leave some seniors feeling marginalized and invisible. “Having children and seniors study together is a wonderful way to allow each group to experience the pride of participating in a shared activity as equals,” he said. “In Pirke Avot we learn, Ezeh hu chacham? Halomed mi kol adam. Who is wise? One who learns from everyone.”

This approach has turned out to be an exciting variation of the traditional Hevruta (fellowship) system of study partnering. In this ancient method, participants face each other and read the text out loud. They analyze and explain the text to each other, respectfully questioning and disagreeing. The joint struggle can lead to greater understanding and insights into the text.

During November, the second Hazak/Day School gathering for this school year, the group studied Toldot 25:27-34 and 27:30-41, in Genesis.

Sheila Rubin, a retired teacher and Hazak member, loves studying with children. “It’s interesting to see how they perceive what I’m reading along with them,” she said. “I learn from them just as much as they learn from me.” Another retired teacher, Sylvia Matanky, added, “It was a pleasure getting involved with students who were so anxious to learn,” she said.

The pleasure of study companions was a two-way street. Robin Melameth, a VBS Day School Judaic Studies teacher, said many of the students commented on how much they enjoyed the one-on-one or two-on-one learning.

“Another comment I hear is how interested the students are in hearing the personal perspective of their senior learning buddy,” Robin said. “I love this way of learning because I think both parties have a unique and valuable perspective that makes for a deeper examination of the Torah text.

Fifth grader Zoé Maltzman liked being with her Hazak partners because they were wise and could teach them things they didn’t know. “They seemed to know everything about the Torah,” she said. “They really made sure we understood, and if we didn't they would explain until we did.”

Another student added, “It’s interesting to learn about the Torah from a new perspective from someone that has been studying the Torah for years. They know the stories more than us which makes learning fun.”

“The learning taking place is inspirational and transformative for all involved,” said Rabbi Taff. “I believe this is Torah that will have a lasting impact on our students and on the Hazak participants.”

The seniors helped Noa Abramovitch understand the bible text. “They broke it down into simpler language,” she said. “They also discussed the morals in the parsha to ensure that we understood the characters as well as God's point of view in the situation.” 

“I met a lady named Sylvia who taught me a lot about herself and her family,” said Benjamin Meppen. “The Hazak program is a great way for kids to talk with seniors about their experience with Judaism and other Jewish activities.” 

While the seniors might have gone into the program expecting to be the teachers, there’s been a delightful reversal. “The shared goal of learning has changed us all into true study partners,” said Jerry.

Hazak members Gordon Freeman and Mark Schneider were amazed at the intelligence of the students. “This is a good way to teach,” Gordon said. “They seemed to grasp the concepts, said Mark, “right and wrong, lying has consequences, respect one another. It gave me a sense of being a big brother to the kids.”

“My first goal every day is to develop in my students a love of lifelong learning,” Robin said. “I couldn't ask for better role models of this than the Hazak participants.”

And as her students pointed out, having cookies on the table doesn't hurt either.

Pictures and article: Bobbi Rubinstein.

Bobbi Rubinstein is a writer, photographer and award-winning publicist with over 25 years of service in synagogue life. She will be a regular contributor to the Shabbaton.