Religious school students at Temple Shalom in Aberdeen built a replica of Jerusalem out of Legos as part of the temple’s observance of the 60th anniversary of Israel. Photo courtesy Bonnie Smolen
May 20, 2008
The walled city of Jerusalem rose from the floor of Temple Shalom’s social hall in Aberdeen during a religious school event celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary.
Architect Stephen Schwartz led approximately 100 parents and children in constructing the holy city out of 60,000 brightly colored Lego blocks.
The event, which was sponsored by the Reform temple’s membership committee and board of education, involved students in the religious school’s fourth through seventh grades.
The students’ version of Jerusalem’s Old City was completed in April during a two-hour time frame. A 400-square foot mat that outlined every part of the ancient city, including the Western Wall, historic gates, yeshivas, and temples, served as a guide for the young builders.
“It’s hard to understand a two-dimensional drawing,” Schwartz, founder of Building Blocks Workshops in Livingston, told the assembled parents and students. “We’re going to learn something about Jerusalem by building a three-dimensional model.”
Parents and children were impressed with the idea.
“I feel like I’m 10 years old again,” said Mindy Doherty of Middletown, who worked on the city’s Lion’s Gate with daughters Madison, seven, and Chelsea, 10.
Sam Phillips, eight, and Matt Fryefield, nine, both of Holmdel, built a replica of the Second Temple with blue and white Legos. They included a miniature yellow menora, which presented a challenge, they said.
“It was really hard to find the right pieces,” said Sam.
“But it was fun,” added Matt. “It’s learning, but it’s fun.”
Harvey Waxman of Holmdel, along with his daughter, worked on a two-foot version of David’s Tower.
“I’ve been building with Legos since my kids were little,” said Waxman. “Truthfully, I’ve been doing it since I was little. This project has been a great family activity.”
When the model was complete, Schwartz gave the parents and students a guided tour of the city.
“Besides being a great bonding experience for the children and their parents, it takes history out of the classroom and makes it interactive and memorable,” he said.
It also was a great lesson in the concept of teamwork, Schwartz added.
“You don’t even have to tell the kids that they just experienced teamwork,” he said. “I think they realized on their own that they participated in an undertaking that they could not have built themselves in such a short time. You could hear people getting excited as the whole project came together. They are amazed at what they created as a large group.”
And as the children reviewed their handiwork, other congregants observed their concentration.
“I can’t believe how quietly they sat and listened,” said Annette McGillicuddy of Holmdel, cochair of the membership committee. “It’s because they built it with their own hands.”
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