I wanted to share more about Poetry Pals, an interfaith non-profit creativity program building bridges between diverse communities through children, that I am directing here in Chicago. This article and pictures come from our first fall session (written by Tami Warshawsky of our Jewish school partner, Solomon Schechter). Adam
Building Bridges Through Poetry
Among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Students
We are green, red, and dark blue.
We are mocha fudge ice cream, hot chicken tenders, and pizza.
We are soccer, hockey, and basketball.
We are Poland and Russia, Germany, and the USA.
We are Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim.
We are Jeremy, Noah, and Mustafa.
Jeremy, Noah, and Mustafa are three of the 110 fourth graders from Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago, Sacred Heart Schools in Chicago, and MCC Full-time School in Morton Grove, who attended an extraordinary program called Poetry Pals on Wednesday. Poetry Pals unites students from different faith traditions to further their appreciation of their own and each other's faiths, and to begin to form bonds of understanding and friendship through the art of poetry.
Adam Shames, Program and Creative Director (above), is the dynamic and spirited facilitator of Poetry Pals. "We have several goals today," he explained to the group of students and teachers who gathered in the gym at Solomon Schechter Day School's Skokie Campus. "Our first goal is to get together as friends and get to know a bit about different cultures in America," he said. "We are also here to learn how to express ourselves better and to use poetry to describe the world and our feelings. We want you to become really good at expressing yourself through words. And, most of all, we want you to have FUN!"
After Adam and the Poetry Pals staff led the large group in a series of ice-breakers, the students were invited to visit the school's sanctuary or Beit Knesset, where they saw where Schechter students pray each day. Then they reunited in the gym where Rabbi Daniel Rosenberg, Director of Jewish Life and Learning at Solomon Schechter, provided a brief overview of the Jewish faith. During the question and answer session one boy asked: "Why do you keep your holy scroll in that cabinet?" A Schechter student quickly explained, "Because it's holy to us, it has God's name in it, and we want to keep it safe."
After Adam and the Poetry Pals staff led the large group in a series of ice-breakers, the students were invited to visit the school's sanctuary or Beit Knesset, where they saw where Schechter students pray each day. Then they reunited in the gym where Rabbi Daniel Rosenberg, Director of Jewish Life and Learning at Solomon Schechter, provided a brief overview of the Jewish faith. During the question and answer session one boy asked: "Why do you keep your holy scroll in that cabinet?" A Schechter student quickly explained, "Because it's holy to us, it has God's name in it, and we want to keep it safe."
There were smiles and laughter as students realized they had so much in common. They continued to ask questions while working together including, "Why do Jewish boys wear "hats" on their head?" "Can the hats come off? "What is the meaning of the Cross?" "Why do girls wear the head scarves (called hijabs)?" and more. They were eager to explain their faith and share the answers to each other's questions.
"We try to create a warm and fun environment where children can learn to express themselves and listen with respect to others, strengthen their own pride and self-esteem, and gain an appreciation for each other's culture," said Donna Yates, Chicago Poetry Pals Founder and Poet-educator. The program originated in Philadelphia, and when Mrs. Yates relocated to Chicago she asked the founder if she could replicate it here. "It's been very successful in helping children break down stereotypes and build positive relationships," she said. "The children feel so proud as they describe their faith to each other, and they enjoy the activities that help them express themselves through poetry."
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