 JCHS seeks to bring our reflective practice, professional standards, and educational curriculum to the realm of experiential education. Through freshman year orientations, creative and communal holiday celebrations, clubs and student organizations, periodic Shabbat retreats and experiential grade journeys, the Student Life team utilizes the world as their classroom. New students have an opportunity to attend a special overnight camping orientation at Mt. Tamalpais to bond with fellow classmates, participate in a community outreach activity, interact with student leadership, and immerse themselves within JCHS culture before the start of the school year. The work of JCHS's many student organizations, along with pep rallies, workshops, and trips at the beginning of the year not only fosters an exciting and creative school environment , but also prepares students for the popular all-school Shabbaton retreat. Students participate in four days of spirit week events before embarking on a school-wide journey to Walker Creek Ranch in Marin. Shabbaton activities include hiking, photography, music, ultimate frisbee, meditation, a Saturday night dance, comedy improv, a bonfire and free time. Each year, students and faculty return from this three-day retreat with a new found sense of community at JCHS. The Student Life team has created educational journeys throughout the U.S. for each grade, combining learning and with a multi-day experiential adventure designed to teach life lessons “on the road.” To share their experiences after the trips, each grade creates and presents a multi-media presentation that includes photography, video, music, writing, and visual art. During the 2011-2012 academic year, students traveled to: - 9th Grade: Making our Machaneh - Creating our Camp (at Brandeis Bardin Campus)
- 10th Grade: The Canyons vs. The Strip: The Two Faces of Humanity (Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks and Las Vegas)
- 11th Grade: Encountering Contemporary Complexity (Israel)
- 12th Grade: Journey Toward Service (New Orleans)
Click here to learn more about the JCHS Journeys.
What do you most appreciate about your work at JCHS?
The JCHS community is welcoming and supportive of all kinds of students, and all kinds of people. You become “known” at JCHS for who you are, your passions, your talents, your ideas, and your uniqueness. Fitting in is as easy as “being yourself.” Why do you work in experiential education?
The world a fascinating place, and teenagers are fun to share this world with. My life experiences have provided me with so much to share.I lived in Israel for five years and traveled extensively – not just to sightsee, but on a self-designed educational journey to meet people and learn about their cultures. I worked with Ethiopian Jews in Irsael, and co-ran a Passover Sedar in India with Tibetans and travelling Israelis. Experiential Education allows us to take life experiences and pass on our wisdom, passion, and creativity. Because JCHS values diversity and original thought, my Experiential Education programming can be a window into the world where my students, in partnership, can build the tools to see through it.  What’s exciting about JCHS Student Life?
I work with a dynamic team including Director of Student Activities and Community Outreach, Roni Ben-David and Student Activities Assistant Gretchen Kiesel. Our goal each year is to help JCHS culture become an expression of the students' creativity and leadership. There are so many ways to get involved, from joining a committee, to forming a club, to bringing your energy and enthusiasm to a holiday program. Each of these roles helps to build our community here at JCHS.
What’s your favorite event?
Each year, the all-school Shabbaton retreat is largely student-run, and the programming bares the mark of their enthusiasm and leadership. When students share their wisdom and passion to their peers, it is more effective – it’s not beyond their grasp but reflects on what comes from within. Knesset (student government) develops the weekend’s theme. Instead of giving a speech at the keynote assembly, students will come with with creative ways to present the theme, like selecting and performing a song, presenting poetry, or reading stories. Teachers are able to participate as members of the community and reflect on personal and group goals – as well as to attend a meditation or yoga session, to sing at a camp fire, and to play soccer. What about Journeys?
The grade journeys take students all over the world every year. Juniors take a 10 day trip to Israel spend time in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and the North. The sophomores explore the splendor of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park, contrasting it with the man-made extravaganza of Las Vegas. The freshmen head down to Southern California for an outdoor adventure focusing on leadership community. The seniors travel to New Orleans for a community service based trip. At school, we interpret the world – we read and analyze. On the journeys, we literally explore, discover, and interact with the world. Evan Wolkenstein is the Director of Experiential Education and has been involved with Experiential Education for more than 14 years. He holds an MA in Jewish Education from Hebrew University and a Certificate of Advanced Jewish Study from the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. Evan is a Tanach teacher at JCHS and has been at the school for 6 years. |
