Tutor shares a taste of Israel with students

Instead of learning about the Jewish state from pictures and maps in encyclopedias and almanacs, third-graders at South Peninsula Hebrew Day School are getting their information from a more direct source.

Pe'era Feldman, a 19-year-old Israeli, is sharing her culture and language as a teacher's aide in the Sunnyvale school.

Feldman is one of 40 young women selected to participate in a newly launched service program titled Sherut Leumi. The program, an alternative to military service for religious young women, is operated by the Jewish Agency of Israel in conjunction with the Israeli army.

Rabbi Charles Abramchik, headmaster of the day school, is excited that his students are benefiting through the school's association with the program. The young women from Israel, he said, "will not only enhance our already fine Israel studies program, but inject our students with a love of both the land of Israel and Judaism."

When she arrived at the school, Feldman was immediately impressed by the children's advanced Hebrew skills and their Jewish knowledge. "I am amazed at how smart, alert and interested these students are in their studies."

Feldman has primarily focused her teaching on Jewish studies. She also teaches Hebrew individually to sixth- and eighth-graders.

The teacher's aide also enjoys helping the students prepare performances and assemblies. During Chanukah, students presented an original presentation written by Feldman. And for Tu B'Shevat, she coordinated a dramatized version of Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree."

In addition, she works after school twice weekly with students on activities involving art, painting, singing and drama to enrich their understanding of Zionism and Judaism.

During the winter break, she and an Israeli student at U.C. Berkeley took charge of a four-day camp retreat for third- through ninth-graders that included hikes, story-telling and sing-alongs.

The opportunity to teach in this country is mutually satisfying, enabling Feldman to do more than just share stories and information of her homeland with the kids. "I am intrigued by American history and am learning along with the rest of the students," she said.

She is also learning how to become a better teacher. "I find that the teaching methods here are not much different from those in Israel," Feldman said. "However," she added, "there is much more creativity in the studies here."

Feldman was born to American parents who made aliyah when she was 2 years old. Her family now lives in Hashmonion, a settlement between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

When she first entered Sherut Leumi, she worked with underprivileged children at a border settlement school. She then applied to continue in the program for a second year, to work in the diaspora.

"I feel that this is an interesting experience for students my age to see different types of Jewish people living outside of Israel," she said. "I am particularly interested in their approach to Zionism and Judaism."

Only a select group of women are chosen for this program. Candidates must participate in many interviews and take psychological exams, and are tested extensively in Hebrew and Judaism.

Feldman is living with a host family in the Bay Area. When she returns to Israel in August, she plans to go to university to study psychology and social sciences.

Abramchik regrets that the addition to his staff is only temporary.

"This infusion of young blood is a real shot in arm for our programs," the rabbi said. "These young women relate well to creating bonds and motivating our students. It has been phenomenal."