Since its inception in 1980, Project SEED has grown to be the
largest adult education organization in Europe. With its
residential winter and summer seminars, vast tape library and
new Educational Resource Center in the process of being built
in North West London, it has inspired countless men and women
either re-explore their roots or, indeed, explore them for
the first time.
The foundation of Project SEED however, is built upon the
unique One-to-One study method, where every participant is
teamed with his or her own individual tutor. The relaxed,
informal atmosphere enables students to study any chosen text
at a pace conducive to gaining deep and lasting insights into
the subject matter, or perhaps simply to sharpen up their
Hebrew and davening skills or to discuss any issues
that may have intrigued or troubled them in the past.
Since the opening of the very first SEED center in
Whitefield, Manchester, twenty years ago, the number of
synagogue halls hosting regular SEED study sessions has grown
to fifty-five. A recent survey showed that some 956 men and
women (and their 956 tutors) are attending on a weekly
basis.
Mr. Osher Levene from Golders Green has been a SEED tutor for
over four years now. However, he is adamant that the program
he has become so involved in, is a "learning partnership"
rather than a relationship between a teacher and a
student.
"Going through texts that are already familiar to me and
revising them with my SEED partner gives the subject an extra
dimension," he explains. "It can lead to my own knowledge
being increased. I enjoy learning and teaching Torah as much
as possible, and since leaving yeshiva I have found this to
be an excellent forum for that."
This is a sentiment echoed by Mrs. G of Hendon, who has
herself been "tutoring" for nearly 3½ years, beginning
shortly after the birth of her eldest child.
"It's very much a learning session, not a teaching one," she
says. "It gives me an opportunity to relearn things myself as
well as sharing my knowledge. For example, this was very
useful when my SEED partner got married and she asked me to
study thehalochos of taharas hamishpocho with
her. Over time we have become friends as well as learning
partners."
While Mr. Levene also finds his study sessions at Project
SEED highly enjoyable and a time to "have a laugh" while
learning in a Torah atmosphere, the tutors are also highly
aware of the responsibility towards their partners that they
carry. Mrs. G has at times felt herself to be a "religious
anchor point" for her partner, her only connection to a
Jewish way of life, which can, of course, have strong
ramifications. Mrs. N, who has been involved in SEED for 9
years now, thinks it is of vital importance for tutors to
take their lead very much from their partner.
Thankfully, the support system that Project SEED provides,
such as the professional lectures which are open for both
tutors and their partners is extremely useful and acts as a
good backup. "Very often the One to One learning is the only
Jewish studying that those who attend SEED do, so the
enthusiasm they gain from the lectures is very helpful; it's
good for them to hear things other than just from their
tutor."
The support system is very much in evidence at all One to One
learning sessions as well, of course. Each center has its own
"center leader," available to answer questions and
difficulties that may crop up. Mr. Monty Frankel of Golders
Green fulfilled a similar role when he first volunteered with
SEED two years ago.
"When I first became involved with SEED, I was the shoel
umeshiv at the center in Kenton Synagogue, London. My
role was to sit at the front, answering questions or helping
out where necessary. Since that time, though, I have begun
tutoring at Marble Arch Synagogue, learning a range of
subjects from Chumash, basic dinim and
davening to philosophy and gemora."
Mr. Frankel feels that his role as a SEED tutor is
essentially to inspire his partners with an enthusiasm for
Torah and Yiddishkeit -- and he, in turn, gets great
satisfaction from the enthusiasm that is subsequently
generated. He feels a part of the Jewish progression he is
witness to. However, the spread of texts and topics that Mr.
Frankel has studied with his SEED partners in just two years
does give a clear indication of the flexibility and broad-
mindedness required by some SEED tutors.
"Although sometimes the people you learn with do come from
frum backgrounds, the majority of those who attend are
less affiliated," explains Mr. Levene. "The main thing to
remember is that you're not there to see immediate results.
You are part of a gradual process."
Mrs. G's opinions certainly echo this. She feels that an
ability to slowly build up a relationship with someone else
is a vital aspect of being a SEED tutor. And for this to be
successful, a certain open-mindedness and an ability to
remain non-judgmental is required. The main thing is to
listen and to allow the partner to tell you what they are
hoping to get out of the learning.
After all, as Mrs. N points out, "you're not there to `make
people frum.' People who come to SEED already want to
learn, that is why they have come. They are very keen, so
your job is easy. And it's wonderful when you see people
begin to keep the mitzvos you have learnt about together!"
(For more information about becoming a SEED tutor, contact
the Head Office at 020 8381 1555.)
