The division of classes in a yeshiva day school may send the subliminal message that subjects are unrelated to one another. Yet educational research overwhelmingly indicates otherwise. Students’ retention and depth of understanding in one subject area is reinforced when they draw connections to others. By connecting Judaic and general studies, while retaining the primacy of talmud Torah, students learn that Hashem’s hand pervades all learning, and by extension, their entire lives.

Spurred by this research, RKYHS has introduced a wide array of enriching interdisciplinary learning opportunities for its students. Some examples include: Theme Day—an annual effort by faculty to explore real-world problems through hands-on learning and an interdisciplinary lens; Connecting issues raised in literature with the halachic Jewish, and psychological perspective; Art is woven throughout the disciplines, integrated with Torah, history, mathematics, and science; Linking the STEM lab with their study of masechet Shabbat, building a menorah out of LED lights and studying the halakhic status of various types of electricity.

It is evident that interdisciplinary learning at RKYHS is not only driven by the faculty, but is also an outgrowth of student passions, which are in turn supported by expert and dedicated educators. Interdisciplinary collaboration allows them to develop 21st-century workplace skills by thinking creatively and solving real-world problems,” noted Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky, RKYHS director of interdisciplinary studies and educational outreach. “Perhaps above all, by seeing God’s imprint woven throughout all of their learning, students are better able to sense the divine spark within, which ultimately gives their lives greater meaning as committed, developing members of the Jewish people.”