American norms
There are four Jewish schools in Budapest. In addition to the Lauder school where we spent each morning, there is an Orthodox school, a Chabad school, and the Scheiber school. On Thursday we had an ...
Teenagers are teenagers
In addition to teaching three math classes today, I sat in on a math class led by Christian, one of my colleagues at Lauder. Though I understood all the math going on, I most certainly did not understand ...
Learn responsibility
In the afternoon, after we taught at Scheiber Gymnasium, we went to visit The Charity Jewish Hospital in Budapest, the only Jewish hospital in Central Europe. Its main goal is the treatment and ...
My emotional “space”
It has been very intense since we arrived here on Sunday, and only now, I can have the emotional “space” to reflect on what I have seen, heard, observed and came to understand.
The imagery I had ...
Exploring dialogue in the art classroom and Central European University
In teaching today, the students worked marvelously on their self-portrait projects. I spoke with the 9th and 10th grade students about creating an artwork that would represent themselves or tell a story ...
Perhaps?
Another extraordinary day. In the morning I joined a 7th grade English class where the students had opportunity to ask me questions. Afterwards I got to ask them questions. Because it was a 7th ...
NATO
Today I got to meet with the 11th graders for a double period (1 hr 45 min). We discussed the goals of NATO, the current issues around NATO and whether or not NATO is still an effective alliance. After ...
Letters to JDS
Today I asked my class at Lauder Javne Iskola to write letters to my students at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. Here is a selection from their letters:
“I am too an American Jew. My father came ...
Discovering a shared history
I wasn’t teaching during first period today, so I attended my colleague Rachel Bergstein’s Jewish History class. It was fascinating to watch Lauder students discover a shared history they had heretofore ...
Richness of history
Today we visited the famous Great Synagogue on Dohany Street. The building is one of the most known historical landmark of the city being the third largest synagogue in the world. This Jewish temple ...
We are so alike
Today was another wonderful day at Lauder school. I only taught two chemistry Sophomore classes, the same I saw yesterday afternoon, and we continued to talk about carbohydrates and did another lab ...
Idea of America
Our second day in Budapest. We started our day at the Lauder School. Today I worked with a 9th grade class (because this is their 2nd 9th grade year, they are the age of US 10th graders). There were ...
Much to think about
Today was another spectacular day. I had opportunity today to explore the library at the school. I was interested in seeing their Judaic collection and, in particular, the Jewish text section. There ...
What makes you say that?
Thoughts on teaching and observations
First I wanted to thank Alan and Glynis for such a wonderful time in Budapest thus far! They are wonderful hosts and organizers of the SOS program and I could not ...
Theme of immigration
With each new class I teach in Budapest, I begin with an opening exercise where I ask each student to write down whatever comes to mind when I mention the following: America or Americans and then Jews ...
Forming bonds
We had such a busy first day: meeting with the US ambassador to Hungary, meeting our partner teachers, teaching our first classes, and touring through Buda. The meeting with the ambassador in the morning ...
Learning and experiences
We arrived yesterday and after a little rest, took a walk to orient ourselves to the city of Budapest. We were able to walk from our hotel past the Dohany Street Synagogue (Great Synagogue). It is ...
Network and place
I worked with one of Ildiko’s 10 grade art classes today and spoke about my background as an artist and art educator in the United States and what it’s like teaching at an American Jewish Day School. ...
A highlight of my life
What a wonderful day! Alan and Glynis have organized a marvelous trip.
Some thoughts on the day:
- Met with the American Ambassador. I was able to ask a question
Hopeful and stirred to action
In the current political moment, it’s difficult to say what, exactly, it means to be an American. My relationship with my own American identity has been in flux for the past week – and, as such, ...
