Thank you to Rabbis Helfgot and Berman for the interesting discussion on the matter of shortening the school day for high school students. Permit me to share two thoughts:
1. Studies have shown that the mornings are more difficult educationally for high school students in terms of focus. Perhaps one idea is to start later not end the day earlier.
2. Rabbi Berman chose not to discuss the effect of this creative idea on summer programs like camp and Israel trips. I suggest that the idea to extend the school year into July is a poor idea exactly because it would block the participation of our day school/yeshiva teens in the outstanding educational opportunities offered in the summer. Older teens learn critical leadership skills at summer camp, important because it will be these teens, due to their significant educational advantages, that will be leading Jewish life into the next generation. Moreover, the transformational experience of educational summer programs in Israel, strengthens the teen connection to Israel, a critical value, and the varieties of Jewish life few see in their home communities.
Hag Kasher v'Sameah
Rabbi Dr. Eric Lankin
Adjunct Professor, Rothberg International School
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
