From private to public

When a Jewish day school student goes to a public high school, the transition can be arduous — and eye-opening

April 13, 2010

NU Magazine – April 2010

The transition between private and public school has stark contrasts — as dramatic as light and dark, full and empty, gray and colorful.

I entered Livingston High School in ninth grade after 10 years at a private Jewish day school. I am now in tenth grade and fully transitioned, in my opinion, but the road there was long, arduous, and consisted of many long hours, tears, and confusing moments.

Through elementary and middle school, I attended a religious school where half the day was devoted to Judaic studies; we davened, prayed, twice a day.

In public school, we only have secular studies; if we want, we can daven before or after school.

In private school, we hardly learned about Christianity, Islam, or any religion outside of Judaism, and why would we need to in an all-Jewish school? In public school, we discuss various religions in most of my classes.

In English, we read books that sometimes have allusions to the Bible. In art, Christianity is often an influence on paintings and other creative works. Even in language, religions are discussed. Sometimes, other students looked at me strangely when I didn’t know a reference from another religion, and it bothered me. I felt ignorant and sheltered.

I had to go from knowing absolutely nothing to being flooded with new and interesting information.

Being surrounded by foreign ideas didn’t change my own beliefs. Every day is a new opportunity to share Judaism with someone who may not understand or know anything about it. It helps that Livingston has a large community of Jews.

I went from a school where I knew everybody’s name, phone number, address, favorite things, and whole life, to being one among 1,500 kids I didn’t know at all.

My old school was small and cliquey. I was scared public school would be the same way, but it wasn’t. Kids at public school are very accepting of new students, and the faculty is great about making sure you get acclimated. I found friends I could relate to on many levels, religious or secular. And I was lucky because some friends from my old school also switched.

I keep kosher at school and home, but I do not mind sitting next to friends who are not eating kosher. After all, this is what I will have to deal with in the real world. Friends sometimes ask about kashrut and I teach them; I’m the resident Jew, and I don’t mind.

If I can educate someone about my way of life, I do it. I’m not the only person keeping kosher at school; there are also a lot of vegetarians and vegans.

I still practice Hebrew and read Torah. I try to daven as often as I can. I know I am not losing my Jewish identity by attending a secular, public school; I am merely strengthening my identity for the future. It has been a long and hard road to where I am today, but I am thankful for the tribulations, because I have become better and stronger.

Eliana Glatt, 15, attends Livingston High School and is a member of Nu’s teen board.