One
hundred and twenty five parents and students, representing Jewish day
schools and supplementary schools, gathered at Temple Israel on
December 2, 2007 for Facing History and Ourselves' third annual Jewish
Education Program.
The topic explored was Tikkun Olam-repairing the world. Lively
discussion focused on the experiences of different "upstanders," or
inspiring individuals who stand up and take action on behalf of others.
Important questions for the morning included:
- What does it mean to be an "upstander?"
- What influences people to act on behalf of others? what obstacles do they face, and how do they overcome them?
- What change do you wish to see in the world? How might you participate in making this change happen?
Among the Facing History resources explored was the new "Be the Change:
Upstanders for Human Rights" website featuring the stories of five
award-winning human rights activists.
A highlight of the morning was a special presentation by a Memphis
"upstander" and civil rights activist, Bert Wolff, who described
casting the tie-breaking vote, in her capacity as a member of the
school board, to desegregate Memphis City Schools.
Bringing students and parents together for substantive conversations
has become a hall mark of the Jewish Education project. Funding for the
Facing History Parent/Student Conversation was provided by the Memphis
Jewish Federation.