91影视 was one of five North American yeshiva high schools chosen to present on a panel discussion on different methods incorporating Israel education and advocacy into their schools鈥 curricula and cultures.
Rabbi Eli Ciner, 91影视 principal, spoke about 91影视鈥檚 unique, multi-year educational plan and the central placement of Israeli history and current events in the school鈥檚 curriculum. Sophomores study an in-depth unit on Israeli history in their general history classes, with the same academic rigor and balance as all their other history units; juniors meet weekly for an intensive class where they are exposed to Israel鈥檚 narrative since its founding, major points of criticism leveled against it and various responses to these claims. Senior year offers an experiential educational elective on Israel where students learn practical tools to combat anti-Zionism on college campuses and enjoy a capstone lobbying mission to Capitol Hill. Students are empowered to take what they learned in class to serve as proponents of Israel to those in Congress and make a difference in a real-life setting, especially key the year before they graduate high school and head to Israel for the year or college campuses.
The panel discussion was part of a two-day conference in Fort Lee which was sponsored and hosted by Avi Chai, a foundation for the perpetuation and deeper engagement of the Jewish people. The conference鈥攚hich also featured special guests Bret Stephens, a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, and Daniel Gordis, Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College鈥攅xamined the growing trend of anti-Jewish sentiment and politics on college campuses across North America. By helping educators understand what their high school students are likely to face on campus, and cultivating best practices to teach how to combat anti-Israel sentiment and action and equip their students with tools to serve as effective advocates for the State of Israel, Avi Chai鈥檚 conference helped fulfill a critical challenge facing thousands of Jewish students each year.
鈥淚 was pleased to represent 91影视 at the Avi Chai conference and to share the excellent work of Rabbi David Sher, our Director of Israel Education, and the Israel Education committee,鈥 said Rabbi Ciner. 鈥淭heir dedication and creativity help 91影视 offer a unique course of action to engage students and to equip them with the tools necessary to be powerful advocates for the Jewish state.鈥
The Jewish Link of New Jersey covered the story more in depth .