Kellman Brown Academy is showcasing a dedication to leadership development and Holocaust education with two programs.
The initiatives – an annual residency earlier this month and filming of a Holocaust movie beginning Monday – are meant to provide students with transformative experiences that will connect them to their community and history.
Seventh graders at the academy embarked on the residency on Nov. 21 with the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey as part of its Jewish Leadership Academy. This year marks the inaugural of the program, a component of the Jewish Leadership Academy’s three-year curriculum that began with last year’s sixth-grade class.
The residency pairs Kellerman students with mentors from various departments at the Jewish federation for real-world exposure and hands-on learning about leadership. Head of School Rachel Zivic highlighted its innovative nature.
“When we launched the program, it was one of a kind and unique,” she explained. “We were looking for a system that would offer support and help our students contribute in a meaningful way.”
Amanda Hollander, Kellerman Brown’s community outreach and special programs coordinator, elaborated on the residency’s goals.
“We want (students) to have exposure to real-world, non-conventional experiences,” she noted. “It’s about confidence building, communication with individuals of all ages and backgrounds and reinforcing values. They are really seeing themselves as future leaders.”
During the annual residency, students explore adaptability, team-building and communication while learning from staff who have navigated real-world challenges like COVID and recent global events.
“The students said they are future leaders, and this program is giving them the opportunity,” Hollander said. “The federation talked about being stronger together and bridging divides.”
“Middle school is a time when students are building a strong sense of self and self-confidence,” Zivic pointed out. “We want them to take these lessons into adulthood.”
As for the Holocaust initiative, Kellerman will host filming of its “Names Not Numbers” program on Monday and Tuesday, and on Jan. 16.
“Our students are the last generation to interview survivors and hear their stories first-hand,” Hollander related. “They study the Holocaust, meet survivors, and prepare thoughtful questions based on extensive research.
“Sadly, when these survivors are no longer with us, these films will ensure their stories live on.”
“The (title) “Names Not Numbers” reminds us that it’s impossible to grasp the scale of the Holocaust unless we connect with individual stories,” Zivic offered. “Our students learn these stories deeply, ensuring they honor the survivors’ legacies.”
She also tied together the residency and Holocaust initiatives.
“What both of these initiatives share is the goal of empowering students with opportunities they will never forget,” Zivic said, “allowing them to lead in this world.”
The Holocaust film will have a community-wide screening open to the public at 7 p.m. on March 27 at Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill.
