Science, Creation and Paper Midrash at URJ Sci-Tech

When Isaac stood up and ripped a page right out of the comic book, he was met with gasps and expressions of horror. But that was the plan — after all, we were explaining to the campers at URJ Six Points Sci Tech West how they were going to destroy comic books to create their own paper midrash.

We spent several days last week with the campers at at the newest URJ Summer Camp - Sci Tech West, talking about Torah and midrash and creation, and teaching them how to use cut-up comic books to make new works of art.

One of the first things we did with the campers was ask them who their favorite heroes were. We were met with answers ranging from “which universe, Marvel or DC?” to Einstein and Darwin — superheroes of science. We weren’t surprised, because it’s a science camp, after all. That’s one of the reasons we focused on the story of creation for our midrash workshop; it’s often a flashpoint in debates about teaching science in schools, and it was an opportunity to explore how the science of creation and the biblical story of creation can coexist. We were happy to share with these budding scientists the revelation that Jewish thought does not expect them to take the story as written in the Torah literally; even in the middle ages, we taught them, sages like Rashi taught that the story as written in the Torah is not to be taken literally as the order of creation.

We always say a blessing with workshop participants, to give our actions a Jewish context.
(Photo by Rabbi Rick Winer)

After learning how to use the knives safely, the campers began to imagine their own midrash about creation; they explored the separation of darkness from light, the celestial bodies, land and water, animals and our place on earth.

And then we asked them to do what many had thought unthinkable: to tear pages out of comic books and to use the images, thought bubbles and heroes from those books to help share their stories and midrash. Some chose to use their favorite hero, some used a mix of heroes — one camper chose to use all images from female superheroes. While there was some cringing and lots of asking “can we really cut that up?”, the results were some beautiful images and interpretations of Breishit.

In this camper's midrash, the fourth day of creation results in the establishment of time.

The separation of light from darkness: and it was good.

All of the days of creation are found within the continents and waters of this earth.

A butterfly, symbol of change, created on the fifth day.

Separation of the waters above (shamayim – heavens) from the waters below (mayim – seas).

The snake, which "creepeth upon the earth."

With some campers and their finished work.

With some campers and their finished work.

If you're interested in finding out what we can do with YOUR community — for a few hours or a few days — please visit our website at www.papermidrash.com.

[Co-written with my wife, Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik]