Teachers from Kennedy and Calhoun high schools in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District developed an interdisciplinary lesson on the Founding of Israel after the Holocaust and the Israeli culinary tradition on Jan. 6.

Mike DiGiovanni, a culinary arts and hospitality instructor at Kennedy, and Dr. David Goldberg, a social studies teacher at Calhoun, joined forces to present this cross-curricular lesson and discussion.

“My Voices of the Past students presented on the nation’s founding after World War II then these students worked collaboratively with the Kennedy kids to do some of the final prep for the meal,” explained Goldberg.

“While the CHAMP (Culinary and Hospitality Applied Management Program) students at Kennedy prepped some of the meal ahead of time, students were able to work together and learn even more,” explained DiGiovanni.

Daniel Goldstein, a Calhoun Class of 2015 graduate and former Voices of the Past student, joined the lesson as well. He is a sergeant in the Israeli Defense Forces who spoke to students along with a current Kennedy student who is Israeli. 

“[Goldstein] shared a lot of insight about his experiences and also the Middle East generally,” explained Goldberg. 

 “The most substantial outcome for students was to be able to see how cultures develop over time and how critical turning points in history can lead to substantial changes in the global landscape,” Goldberg added. “In addition, it provided students with an important chance to see cross-curricular connections and engage in conversation with an individual who saw firsthand the complexity of today's global politics.”