Connecting to Reality: Students Who Learned About the Cairo Geniza Through an International Lens

When I joined the “Cairo Genizah” project, I had no idea how much it would impact my students. It was a condensed process, since my initial connection with the project was established in March, but within a short time we managed to create a meaningful learning experience. The event that stood out in particular took place during a Zoom call with Moshe Lavi, a scientist working on deciphering the Geniza findings. The moment of the call was exciting for the students. They knew that Moshe, who is far away due to his academic work, was dedicating his time to oversee their work process and speak with them. It was important to them to appear serious and committed. They insisted that we work in the library, to present him with a picture of a class that is learning, busy, and focused on deciphering letters and words.

During the conversation, I saw how excited they were, but also how they expected more. They asked, “Is this all we’re doing? Just deciphering?” And yet, there was a strong sense of competition—each group wanted to be the first to find the solution, to win the prize, and despite the disappointment of some, it was a constructive experience.

At the same time, a significant challenge arose during the conversation with the scientist—the language he used was too advanced and complex for the students. This made me realize how important it is for students to be able to connect with the content not only on a conceptual level, but also through the language in which it is presented. Scientists can discuss complex ideas, but they must do so in simple, accessible language that sparks interest rather than creating a sense of distance. I see my role in this mediation—to make the experience of engaging with academia understandable, to make the discourse accessible to them, and to ensure they feel like a genuine part of the scientific process.

The encounter with Moshe was meaningful, but I’d like to take it a step further. I dream of taking the students to the university, showing them classrooms and research labs, connecting them not only to the Cairo Geniza but also to the broader academic world—especially in the humanities. In my opinion, children just need a little nudge, and they’ll take off on their own. This project showed me the power of connecting different worlds, and made me want to see more and more projects that align with their interests—technology, agriculture, and whatever is truly close to their hearts. Because with the right nudge, the sky’s the limit.