Robbins Hebrew Academy

Biblical Text and the Charter of Rights? Redefining Torah Study. Why is biblical text so important and how is it relevant today? It's a question students ask and we take seriously. At Robbins Hebrew Academy, teachers are not mere transmitters of information. Rather, they promote dialogue and debate, they encourage students to challenge conventional wisdom and they create environments where curiosity and discovery are valued. It's no wonder RHA students feel such a closeness to the Bible. RHA faculty spends a tremendous amount of time thinking about how to turn students from passive receivers of biblical knowledge into active citizens who apply it in everyday life. We help students identify issues and problems in the world that are important to them, and address them through a Jewish lens. In fact, our entire Judaic Studies curriculum has been revamped based on a model that roots students in history and heritage, all the while engaging them as Jews living in a modern and very complex world. What does it mean to be globally aware? Are we in fact global citizens? How do we define social justice, both in Israel and Canada, through classical texts and in dialogue with the Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Israel's Declaration of Independence? How do we navigate and reconcile those tensions? It's high-minded stuff and our students are rising to it. They are thinking more deeply. They are becoming independent interpreters as they confront difficult choices. What once seemed archaic now seems pertinent and meaningful to their lives. In the process, we are seeing a blossoming passion for exploring Tanakh. "In Bible Studies, there isn't a set answer like in math. When we look at texts, we share our opinions and that gives us the opportunity to learn from and teach our classmates. Because there is no right or wrong answer, we think critically about how these texts impact our life. It's both a creative and analytical process." – Ryan Allen, grade 8 student "Earlier this year, we were learning about the book of Jonah. We were each given the opportunity to argue for or against Jonah. Once we shared our arguments with the class, we could see how other people have different opinions and analyze how they interpreted the text. We all left with different meanings of the texts and realized how they could all influence our lives differently." – Talia Levitt, grade 8 student n i n e s e v e n t e e n

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