By Isaac Shiner-
ICJA students introduced kosher food, Jewish background, and Jewish traditions to other Chicago high school students through the Student to Student initiative.
The initiative was founded by the St. Louis Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) in the early ‘90s and began as a pilot program in Chicago last school year. It was brought to Chicago by the team of last year’s sophomore students and teacher, Mrs. Alissa Zeffren, who participated in the NCSY Jewish Unity Mentoring Program (JUMP).
The Student to Student program is meant to terminate Jewish stereotypes and educate students about Judaism. Students from Rochelle Zell Jewish High School and Jewish public school students also participate.
Jewish students, at least one from each major branch of Judaism, visit public schools with little to no Jewish population and non-Jewish private schools where they educate the students about Judaism. The lessons include a historical background to Judaism, lifecycle events in Judaism, a lesson in kashrut, a sample Shabbat, a short description of the Torah, and questions from the class. For example, lessons include a mock wedding to teach Jewish wedding customs, such as a chuppah.
Student to Student also teaches and empowers the Jewish high school students to explain and stand up for their beliefs so they can tackle and prevent antisemitism.
Simone Miller, president of the Student to Student club, explained that, “not only did I get to teach people about my religion and culture, but participating in Student to Student also helped me learn about different approaches to Judaism and allowed me to gain a new outlook into my religion and identity.”
Additionally, Mrs. Alissa Zeffren told JUF News, “It’s so important that we empower our students earlier in life to develop the language and communication skills to be able to explain what they believe and why they believe it to a wider audience.”
This school year, the program hopes to expand to include more student participants and more than double the schools they present in. Jewish students interested in participating in this program should complete the application form sent to ICJA students via their school email and attend the program orientation on Sunday, October 6th from 10:00am-12:00pm at ICJA.
ICJA students use a tallit to perform a mock Jewish wedding
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