Transforming School Conflict through Rabbinic Texts

Our middle school Rodef Shalom program is taking off as we begin our second pilot year. The major program goals are (1) for students to find traditional Jewish text study meaningful and relevant to their lives, and (2) to have a positive impact on students and on general school culture through the development of conflict resolution awareness and practical skills. The program helps schools teach 21st-century learners to be skilled problem solvers in social situations, active in the prevention of bullying and committed to creating a more peaceful world. The rabbinics-based text units use an inquiry approach, follow an “Understanding by Design” curricular model and include a range of technology options. In addition, we have recently released our certification program - a series of activities designed to help interested schools integrate conflict resolution into various aspects of school life, including advisory, tefilah and holiday programming. This optional certification process helps mobilize school communities through learning and action.

Our eight pilot schools include Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (Rockville, MD), Cohen Hillel Academy (Marblehead, MA), The Epstein School (Atlanta), Golda Och Academy (West Orange, NJ), Kadima Day School (West Hills, CA), The Moriah School (Englewood, NJ), Pressman Academy (Los Angeles) and Sager Solomon Schechter (Chicago). We are delighted that a number of our own alumni will be using the materials. For more information about the possibility of using these materials in your school, please contact Ilana Lipman at ilanalipman@pardes.org.il.