Those of you who follow me on Facebook may already know that I am looking for ideas concerning a new project for my 10th graders.
The students will have to name a newly-built school (in the US) after someone famous. Each group will present their choices and the class will vote. I’d like to include at least one Jew in the examples we’ll work on before they do their own research. Because of their History curriculum I’d prefer those heroes to have been born in Europe prior to migrating to the USA.
All suggestions are welcome.
Hannah's Nook 
Abraham Joshua Heschel School is located in NYC.
They are grades K-12. The 9-12th graders are required to take Hebrew and Limudel Quodesh. Here is the link to the high school program and other information. http://www.heschel.org/page.cfm?p=18
Thank you Lorri. However since I teach in a secular school, a more secular choice would probably be more appropriate for this project.
Other choices of writers born in Europe and then emigrated to America:
Abraham Cahan
Elie Wiesel
Sholem Aleichem
Definitely Isaac Bashevis Singer … he’s one of my all time favourite novelists who was born in Poland and emigrated to the US before the second world war.
The most obvious (to me anyway) would be Albert Einstein.
I’m voting for Harry Houdini – because I think the students will greatly enjoying researching his fascinating life.
My 10 year-old chose Houdini for a biography report and LOVED learning about his very interesting life.
What a creative idea for an assignment! I enjoyed reading all the suggestions both here and on Facebook.
Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I’ll let you know what I have decided and how it goes.
Albert Einstein
Bruno Bettelheim