The JEC’s Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy prides itself on creating innovative student programming that is geared not just to academic and spiritual development but also towards social-emotional growth. One example of that is the Big Brother program that creates opportunities for the high school students to act as mentors for their middle school and even elementary student counterparts.

Last week, 11th graders were paired with boys from the seventh and eighth grade for an interactive activity based on trust and teamwork building. Prior to that activity, the groups had already met three times. This session’s activity had the pairs participating in a number of fun competitions that taught them the importance of teamwork and trusting others; the pairs guided each other through a maze and fed each other, both while blindfolded. They also answered questions to learn more about each other. At the conclusion of the program both groups were already anticipating their next meet.

In another joint activity, students from the 12th grade visited the Yeshiva of Elizabeth fourth and fifth grade classrooms to lead the boys in an interactive kumsitz.

RTMA upperclassmen Ezra Wisotsky (SGO President), Jonathan Silber, Elchanan Preil, Shye Leykin, Yair Shavrick and Jason Silverstein led the activities.