"I combine the two greatest loves of my life"

Dr. Alexander Wolfson is 44 years old and lives in Arad. His academic path began with his B.Sc. studies in Physics at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He recalled: “Even then, I had already worked as a teacher, promoting youth... I discovered the Dept. for the Teaching of the Sciences and Technology, where I continued studying until being granted M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. Since completing my advanced studies, I have continued to do research and teach Physics, primarily by means of the Circus Arts; as such, I combine the two greatest loves of my life. I joined SCE’s Faculty five years ago, and from the outset, in SCE’s Academic Prep Course, I felt that I’d found my home.”

Nonetheless, Dr. Wolfson recounts that ‘circus arts’ had been a part of his life well before that. “I’d emigrated from Russia at age 10 and, several years later, I’d come across Circus Arts classes in Arad. Eventually, I became the Circus Arts class’s Instructor; these classes are still ongoing, under the auspices of the Arad Community Center. In parallel, I’m currently producing a show entitled: ‘Between the Circus and Science’, which includes Circus Arts, and my partners, Valeria Shparaga, and my wife, Marina.”

There are two exemplary figures who inspired Dr. Wolfson’s diverse activities. “My first model is Marat Bruck, the teacher who brought the circus to Arad from Russia. To this very day, at the end of every performance, I dedicate the ‘jumping through a burning hoop with knives’ segment to him. In Russia, it was forbidden to do this, but Marat somehow managed to preserve it, to bring it to Israel, and to teach it to me. My second model is the late Prof. Haim Eshach, who coordinated the Physics studies in the Dept. for the Teaching of the Sciences and Technology and served as my Ph.D. Thesis Mentor. Sadly, he passed away only two weeks before I submitted it for judging. I feel that I inherited his educational path for teaching Physics, and I credit him with convincing me to continue doing research.”

The Physics prep classes that Dr. Wolfson gives at SCE are meticulous and special. He teaches the subject-matter thoroughly, “into its guts,” as he puts it. “I don’t allow myself to enter a classroom with material I don’t deeply, physically understand. While teaching the Physical Sciences, I’m teaching the paradigm of constructivism, which claims that new knowledge results from the student’s prior knowledge. Thus, a connection is made, when the previous knowledge serves not only as a basis, but also as a filter and channeler of new knowledge. As such, I’m always careful to reveal the relevant prior knowledge and misconceptions; only it only possible to teach new material on that foundation. I’m also determined in my method of teaching by way of demonstrations and research. I would never start a class with a formula, but rather by observing a physical or mechanical phenomenon, often taken from the circus arts and, sometimes, using technological devices. We present a research problem and discuss it in a classroom dialogue, and only then, later on, I’ll build the concept and provide the new knowledge.”

Dr. Wolfson greatly appreciates SCE’s investment in teaching. “The College’s serious approach to teaching is what motivates me as a lecturer.” He adds: “Even the students who come to us are serious, coming to learn a profession and to learn about the world. They’re curious and interested, not like those who just check things off. Moreover, SCE’s very humane—I see all the support and assistance the struggling students get—those who were ill and, especially, those who were called-up for I.D.F. Reserve duty. In that respect, the support granted by the College resembles that of a family.”

In conclusion, regarding service in the Reserves, Dr. Wolfson’s work with [displaced] children from the Gaza Envelope since October 7th, 2023, should certainly be viewed as active service. “I’ve been performing, as a volunteer, together with Valeria and Marina, children from my Circus Arts class, and additional artists, before the families and children from the Gaza Envelope settlements, in Hotels at the Dead Sea, and at additional venues across the country. To do tricks with swords, juggling clubs and balls is the least I can do for them. For me, it’s my emergency call-up order (tsav shmoneh).”