Bridging the Generations - What We Do - Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies



	What We Do Bridging the Generations Beginning in January 2003, the Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies and *spark: Partnership for Service joined forces to create a two-year educational model for Balti-more high school students. In Bridging the Generations: Words into Action, the ICJS and spark* combine the close study of texts from the three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) with community service to selected nursing and retirement homes. Both organizations have enjoyed ac-tive involvement with a broad cross-section of Baltimore schools, so we feel we are uniquely matched to test this challenging outreach model in Baltimore. The initial offering of Bridging the Generations engaged a diverse leadership community of students in a carefully constructed course of study with experienced, professional facilitator/guides. Eleventh- and twelfth-grade students examined sacred Jewish, Christian, and Islamic texts and related contemporary literature, then engaged senior citizens in a series of conversations. The program ran for six weeks. The format included plenary sessions, small group text study, and service visits to nursing and retirement homes. Facilitators were instructed and monitored by ICJS scholars and *spark* staff members. In this first year the highest priority was placed on expanding and refining the program to meet the needs of the students and their senior partners. Participating schools and guest Jewish, Christian, and Islamic scholars provided additional input. By the end of the 2003 program schedule, the ICJS and *spark* had developed a flexible curriculum and a cadre of eleventh-grade students who will reengage with the program in 2004. As this initiative grows, our shared study and service ex-periences will enrich our generational links as well as our faith traditions, allowing us to discover new wisdom in our everyday relationships with the elderly and each other. Who We Are :: What We Do :: Events Calendar Clergy and Educators :: Scholars' Corner :: Newsletter Information Resources :: Get Involved :: Home
	The Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies 956 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore, MD 21204 410.494.7161 / fax: 410.494.7169 email: Info@icjs.org