Genesis at Brandeis University

Genesis at Brandeis University is a summer academic program which attracts intellectual high school students to experience college life and explore the surrounding community of greater Boston. Students come from all around the world: from North America, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, France, U.K., and Spain, creating a diverse community. During the program, participants take challenging college level courses. The courses that are offered all contain a Jewish theme that is explored throughout the summer. Teenagers with all different beliefs and customs engage with teachers, educators, and activists from business academia and the non-profit world. This pre-college program focuses on education, leadership, and social action.
History
Genesis was founded in 1997 at Brandeis University by Simon Klarfeld. Prior to Genesis’ establishment, Brandeis University ran both academic and Jewish programs. Genesis was created in order to unite these aspects into one program. . Rabbi Bradley Solmsen, who is currently the Director of the Genesis and BIMA programs, is also the Associate Director for the Institute for Informal Jewish Education at Brandeis.
Funding
Genesis at Brandeis University is funded by the Righteous Persons Foundation that was created by Steven Spielberg. This foundation was established from the profits of Spielberg’s Schindler’s List production. The Righteous Persons Foundation’s mission is to support and build the spread of the Jewish community in the United States.
In addition to the Righteous Persons Fund, Genesis is supported by individual donors such as Shirley and Milton Gralla, tuition, and grants.
Courses
Genesis participants are required to attend a minimum of forty hours of instructed class time.
Courses offered have included:
* Judaism and Justice: co-taught by a Rabbi and a lawyer and explores studies of Jewish and American law
* Investigating Journalism and Responsibility: investigates how media is used and affects our society
* Innovation and Revolution: Explores the relationship between technologies of the past, present and future, and our human experience as individuals, communities and a global society. The course explores innovations starting with early human control of fire, integrates defining moments in Jewish history, and culminates with a critical examination of stem cell research and renewable energy.
* World Religions: Encountering Diversity: considers the similarities and differences of various religions from around the world
As well as courses all participants at Genesis have the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops which are not only a chance to learn new skills, but also to have fun and interact with other participants in the program.
Social Action
Throughout the summer, participants are engaged in community service projects located on the Brandeis University campus, in Waltham, or in greater Boston. Students are taught the skills needed to make a difference in their own community. Past service projects include working with the homeless, the mentally disabled, farmers, and children.

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