In most journalism classes, students learn the mechanics of an article and how to conduct an interview. But at Shaloh House, young reporters start with a different kind of foundation: their own family stories and centuries of Jewish wisdom.

Inside the large brick building of Shaloh House, a Jewish day school in Brighton, a small room upstairs hosts intergenerational bonding and skill building. In the “Journalism and Jewish Values” class, held on Tuesdays, students learn the relationship between religious connection and nonfiction storytelling.

Maria Shandalov, a Russian language teacher and journalist with over a decade of experience working in newspapers in Belarus and Israel, co-teaches of the course. Her goals for the course were to teach critical skills that tied in with all aspects of a Shaloh House education.

“We started this program last year, and our most important [goal] was to combine journalism skills and the Jewish tradition,” Shandalov said.

For Shandalov, seemingly small family stories can provide a valuable way to learn how to develop journalistic inquisitiveness. These personal narratives serve as stepping stones to broader journalistic understanding.

“We start from a family connection—how to ask the right questions to know more about their family history, genealogy or something about their family’s past,” Shandalov said.

Students in the class often learn from guest speakers of diverse backgrounds. Richard Slifka, a former director of the New England Fuel Institute, philanthropist and supporter of Shaloh House, came to speak to the class on Jan. 21. As he recounted his life experiences, students were engaged and took detailed notes, while delighting in the pizza brought out midway through. At the end of the talk, they practiced asking interview questions based on their notes.

“What advice would you give to students who want to start their own businesses in the future?” one student asked.

“Work hard, be kind,” Slifka said.

Sara Rodkin, co-teacher of the course, believes Jewish values can uniquely benefit a journalistic education for young people. Her perspective adds another dimension to the program’s educational approach.

“They use the traditions and the wisdom from Judaism, from the Torah, to then be good interviewers,” Rodkin said.

Shandalov said the course provides a good balance between practical aspects of writing and Jewish traditions of tikkun olam (social responsibility) and kehila (community).

“You are part of a family, right? At the same time, you are a part of the world,” Shandalov said. “You are kids, part of a community. You need to do something for your community, and the community will do something for you.”