Naaleh’s 10th grade English classes wrapped up their unit on Chaim Potok’s “The Chosen” with an engaging Socratic seminar. Students debated and analyzed themes from the novel, including the role of friendship, community and upbringing in shaping a person’s choices. They also discussed their reactions to reading about the perspective of American Jewry post-Holocaust and during the creation of the Jewish State, and they examined how the characters’ experiences during these historic moments compare to their own experiences with society’s attitude toward the Holocaust and Israel today. The students’ insightful and intellectual conversations showcased their literary analysis skills while connecting the novel’s themes to issues relevant to their daily lives.