As part of their language arts curriculum, the eighth grade students are reading and analyzing “Refugee” by Alan Gratz, a historical novel that tells the powerful stories of three child refugees during three different eras: 1938 Berlin, 1994 Cuba, and 2015 Syria.

To better understand the perspectives of these refugees, the students were taken on a virtual tour of Havana, Cuba and were taught the causes and effects of refugee PTSD by Dr. Rachel Klipper, school psychologist. The students also got into a deep discussion with Rabbi Daniel Loew, head of school, about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the repercussions it has on refugees today. What an amazing way to experience seeing the world through the eyes of others!