H eadlines
Trial their lines, occasionally helped
with pronunciation by the
presiding judge.

Goldilocks, not guilty.

Unlike the rest of the roles,
The mock trial was a joint this actress was playing her-
project between the Perelman self, in a way: It was none
Jewish Day School and the other than Marjorie “Midge”
Rendell Center for Civics and Rendell, who’s been a judge at
Civic Engagement.

the U.S. Court of Appeals for
Founded four years ago, the 3rd Circuit since 1997.

the Rendell Center encourages
The judge founded the
students to indulge their civic Rendell Center with her ex-hus-
and legal curiosity from a very band, former Pennsylvania Gov.

young age; the participants in Ed Rendell, four years ago. Back
these proceedings were part when she was Pennsylania’s
of Pam Frank’s second-grade first lady, she said, her primary
class. The students, who had focus was civic education for
been practicing their scripted young children.

lines in the weeks leading up
“I really thought that if
to the trial, served as wit- we teach the children, when
nesses, jurors, prosecutors, they’re young, the values of cit-
bailiffs, defense attorneys and, izenship and about our democ-
of course, Goldilocks, played racy, maybe we wouldn’t have
by Shoshanna Goodman.

to convince them to vote when
At one point, Goodman they turn 18,” she said.

The students smile with U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Rendell.

Jesse Bernstein
said she felt she wasn’t getting
At the mock trial, Rendell
a fair trial. “I feel like they just kept the proceedings moving
want me to be in jail,” she said. along from the bench, flanked
This was the second year on each side by empty chairs
The literature-based mock trial programs provides a dynamic
Perelman did a mock trial with that would typically seat her
the Rendell Center.

colleagues during an appeal.

interactive opportunity for students to ... gain a deeper understanding of
“They learned a lot about She also sat with the jurors
the judicial system, about how during their deliberations, the U.S. judicial system and constitutional principles while also developing
to problem-solve,” Frank said. out of the room while the
skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening.”
“It’s important to teach them team of prosecutors chanted,
high-level thinking skills.”
“Guilty! Guilty!”
BETH SPECKER
A few parents watched
After the jurors returned a
Beth Specker, executive
from the back of the court- not guilty verdict, Goldilocks and hollered as the prosecu-
Following the end of the
room as their children read and her defense team whooped tion resumed its chanting. Q&A and the morning ses- director of the Rendell Center,
Rendell thanked the jury, and sion, members of the prosecu- visited the school in the weeks
explained the deliberations to tion team remained indignant, leading up to the trial.

“The literature-based mock
the irate prosecution team.

yelling, “Objection!” into a
trial programs provides a
“They took it very seriously. microphone.

They came up with arguments
There was no question the dynamic interactive opportu-
nity for students to ... gain a
pro or con as to whether she students were engaged.

had permission or not,” she
“The study of civics is a deeper understanding of the
said. “Did she know what she critical part of Perelman’s U.S. judicial system and con-
was doing was wrong? Did elementar y
educationa l stitutional principles while also
that matter? I mean, all these experience, which led to the developing skills in reading,
ideas were floating back and development of the Specter writing, speaking and listen-
forth.” Family Civics curriculum,” ing,” she said via email. “The
She also explained how said Perelman Head of School experience takes students into
Goldilocks may still find Judy Groner in an email. the gray areas of democratic
by Jan
herself in civil court, poten- “This program is integrated deliberation, creating an arena
Bostwick 300+
AMERICAN MAR. 15, 16, 17
tially liable for breaking Papa into social studies and liter- in which each student can form
ARTISTS Greater Philadelphia Expo Ctr.

Bear’s chair.

acy curricula on every grade and support his/her own opin-
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The floor was opened for level. Perelman students are ion about an unclear dilemma
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Admission good all 3 days
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questions, which ranged from uniquely prepared for these that often occurs in democratic
Children under 12 & parking are FREE
LIVE Glassblowing Demo
Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5
queries about “juvy” to when units, as their early exposure societies.” l
•Tasty Treats
•Kids’ Entertainment
kids are allowed in court. to the Jewish legal system
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Regarding “juvy,” Rendell said, amplified their understand- jbernstein@jewishexponent.com;
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directions and more at:
“It’s not prison, but it’s not great.” ing of American law.”
215-832-0740 Continued from Page 1
SHOP HANDCRAFTED
14 MARCH 14, 2019
JEWISH EXPONENT
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM