|
|
April 16, 1999/30 Nisan 5759, Vol. 51, No. 29
New Jewish club at public schools offers learning, fun and support
MICHELLE ACKERMAN
Staff Writer
A program aiming to foster pride and solidarity among Jewish teens in public high schools has debuted to overwhelmingly positive response.
The Maccabee Clubs program was developed to create a warm, accepting place on local high school campuses where Jewish students can meet, learn informally about Judaism and personal growth, and be at ease with their peers.
Initial club meetings were held at Arcadia, Chaparral, Corona del Sol and Horizon high schools over the past two weeks, with attendance ranging from 18 students at the Corona del Sol meeting to more than 60 students at the Chaparral meeting.
Linda Shapiro, educational coordinator at Hillel and an organizer of the program, explained that the clubs will meet once a week at each of the four schools, with the exception of exam weeks, and will offer discussions, films, activities and educational games, as well as a strong social component.
Organizers of the program include Rabbi Barton Lee, executive director of Hillel at Arizona State University, and Myra Schindler of the Bureau of Jewish Education. The two created the program as a response to the growing number of Christian-sponsored clubs that meet on high school campuses.
"Jewish kids tend to be somewhat isolated and under attack from missionary groups," said Lee. "A Jewish club allows us to take advantage of equal access laws."
Lee was referring to a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing for "open access" for after-school clubs, including clubs of a religious nature, to meet on school campuses. The ruling leaves room for individual school districts to impose their own "reasonable" regulations on such clubs.
Shapiro said the Maccabee Clubs are open to all students, including those with little or no Jewish congregational or youth group involvement.
In fact, she said, a few non-Jewish students showed up for introductory meetings. However, in no way do the clubs seek to convert students of other religious faiths.
Jordyn Spiegel, student Maccabee Club leader at Arcadia High School, said she feels the clubs are a positive thing because, "at school most importantly, it is really important to have someplace where everybody can go where they feel comfortable with who they are, and everybody is really accepting and understands what they go through."
Although the students run the clubs, a requirement of the "equal access" ruling, they do get help. Each club leader is matched up with a Jewish ASU student who helps members plan programs, provides general support and serves as a role model. The ASU students underwent training through Hillel and the Bureau of Jewish Education.
A high school faculty sponsor also is present at every meeting.
The project is funded by a $28,000 grant from the Commission on Jewish Continuity and Community of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
"It's unprecedented and a brand-new attempt," said Lee.
If the student response is any indication, it's going well.
|
