Moot Beit Din is a unique program that enables students from Jewish high schools to delve into issues of Jewish law through creative engagement with contemporary situations. It provides students with an opportunity to explore the relevance of Halakhah and to stretch their imagination in applying Jewish traditional resources to their lives and to the modern world. Every year, RAVSAK prepares a new case on a topic that has not yet been adjudicated within a halakhic framework. After intensive study of halakhic sources, students prepare written decisions to a case given to them. They then present and defend their decisions before judges during oral argument at the competition.
The students convene at a four-day Shabbaton held in a different location each year. They break ice and break bread together, learn together, daven together, perform a chesed project, do sightseeing, and celebrate Shabbat in style. Before their teams step into the room to compete, they have formed friendships and established spiritual bonds that will last far beyond the Shabbaton.
The program continues to grow apace; this year, the vast majority of RAVSAK high schools will participate in the program. The Moot Beit Din is the recipient of the prestigious Covenant Signature Grant [ADAM: ADD LINK?], which enables RAVSAK to extend generous travel stipends and advisor honoraria to participating schools.
Here is a first-hand report of last year’s Moot Beit Din, in the Intermountain Jewish News.
RAVSAK congratulates the winners of the 2009 Moot Beit Din:
Mazel tov to all competing schools.
For a slideshow of the program, which took place in Denver, Colorado, click here.
Click Here to see pictures taken by Michal Cahlon during the 2008 Moot Beit Din in Toronto.
Registration is now open for this year’s Moot Beit Din! Don’t miss this opportunity to join the most exciting, challenging, rigorous interschool program in Jewish high school education. Deadline for applications is October 23rd.
For more information on the Moot Beit Din, or to register your school for the 2010 / 5770 program, contact Dr. Elliott Rabin at erabin@ravsak.org.
Members of RAVSAK enjoy many benefits which support the overall work of the school and the professionals who lead them. Find out more about membership benefits and how your school can become a member.
Use our interactive map of member schools to find a Jewish Day School near you.
In addition to serving Jewish community day schools across North America, RAVSAK has a special category of membership for Jewish and educational organizations, consultants and companies which share our vision of excellence in Jewish day school education.
