Rejuvenation: A Jewish Summerhill

Description

“Learning is but an adjunct to ourselves ……” William Shakespeare. Menachem and Leah Gottesman’s passion is the Jerusalem high school Meled where they transform the lives of youths- and their families - via Menachem’s (PhD Ed) groundbreaking educational work. They talk with Eve about the importance of recognizing the individual’s potential, informal education, unconditional love, non judgement and teachers as mentors. No kid wants to fail, but without warm environments in school and the home that build self worth, dignity and respect many teens become ‘at risk’ and lose their way. Faith is themselves can be a precursor to faith in Hashem, too. After a devastating week in Israel of terrorism Eve wonders if this system can be applied to the Muslim schools or if there are too many cultural and religious pressures to make a real change. “Not at Risk- Education as a Work of Heart’ is the Gottesman's new book, and we send prayers from the bottom of all our hearts to those affected by last week’s tragedies.