B’nai Shalom Day School Students Bring Learning to Life in Selma, AL

Mason Richardson, 6th grade, looks up at the National Memorial for Peace & Justice in Selma, AL

Each week, 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students at B’nai Shalom Day School engage in virtual learning with their Alliance group— a collaboration of students from small Jewish day schools across the country. At the end of each school year, students embark on an experiential learning trip that brings their studies to life.

For 6th graders, this journey takes them to Alabama, a place deeply intertwined with the Civil Rights Movement. Alabama is home to numerous historic landmarks that played a pivotal role in the fight for racial justice. Visiting these sites firsthand allows students to move beyond textbooks and truly experience the weight of history. “It’s one thing to talk and learn about the Civil Rights Movement, but another to fully experience these places in person,” explains Sarah Cronin, School Counselor and trip chaperone.

This trip is a powerful way that B’nai Shalom instills the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam—the responsibility to repair the world. Students don’t just learn about history; they develop a personal connection to it, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of social justice.

One of the most impactful moments of the trip is visiting the National Memorial for Peace & Justice in Montgomery, which honors individuals whose lives were lost due to racial violence. Students are especially moved when they discover that there is a memorial dedicated to someone from their own home county, Guilford County. This moment reinforces the idea that the fight for justice is not something that happens in other places – it is relevant to their lives and requires on-going work and dedication. 

By immersing students in these real-world experiences, B’nai Shalom goes beyond traditional education, empowering young minds to become compassionate and engaged citizens who strive to make the world a better place.