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Gezer uses the unique educational environment of Pinat Shorashim to trigger activities around themes of “leadership”, “continuity”, “Jewish history”, and “Jewish communities around the world.” Prior to the seminar, there are two classroom activities with the homeroom teacher on the subject of the individual and his/her connection to the community.
The seminar at Pinat Shorashim, held daily over a period of a week, begins with morning services, held outdoors in the synagogue under the trees, followed by an opening dramatic monologue by “Jacob our Father” about his life and the meaning of community for Israel.
The pupils are then divided into four groups, corresponding to four of the tribes of Israel. Each group attends four stations:
“Miriam’s Well” - on leadership and taking initiative for the Jewish people, through role playing
“The Menora” - an activity that shows our relationship to Jewish history and community identity
“Breishit” - on the continuity of Jewish life and tradition through the generations, using visual arts
“Sukkat Shalom” – through drama, learning the value of respecting different ways of being Jewish (religious pluralism) and how this value is upheld by the legal system
Each station has a stimulating activity in which values connected with the theme of the station are learned and discussed. After the final station each group evaluates what it has learned. The activities last altogether five hours, with a half-hour lunch break in the middle.
Following the seminar, there are two more homeroom lessons on the theme of Clal Yisrael and Jewish communities throughout the world.
Children who experience the seminar at Shorashim as well as preparation and follow-up lessons become more appreciative of Judaism and the role Jewish community and Klal Yisrael play in their daily lives. They learn to integrate specific Jewish values – such as respect for fellow-man, leadership and taking responsibility and protecting the environment – into their lives. They become oriented towards stronger ties to the Jewish people through study of Jewish history and exploration of Jewish continuity.
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