Ora Meier’s senior SAR High School’s literature and film class visited The Jewish Museum for a screening of “Like Any Other Kid,” a documentary that explores what happens when incarcerated youth are guided with love and respect. “Like Any Other Kid” was screened as part of The Jewish Museum’s Movies That Matter Series, a series that features award-winning documentary films that address themes in the museum’s collection.

Teaching Artist Gabriella Kula led a post-screening discussion that encouraged students to reflect on the film’s relevance for their lives. Some students commented that they hadn’t known that convicted teenagers had alternative options to jails. The SAR seniors were impressed by the level of investment that the adults demonstrated toward the convicted teenagers and the extent to which the adults wanted the children to succeed.

Following the screening, the group visited museum galleries with Kula. Students had an opportunity to discuss connections between the documentary and themes in the museum’s permanent collection. One class favorite on identity was Kehinde Wiley’s “Alios Itzhak,” from the series The World Stage: Israel. More recently, Wiley painted President Barack Obama’s 2018 portrait for the National Portrait Gallery.

The Jewish Museum trip provided a film festival model to the students, as well. The literature and film class will be leading the SAR Film Fest on the evening of Monday, February 25. In preparation for the Film Fest, students will select short films that delve into current issues in the Jewish and modern world.