Hebrew High
Students Build life-long friendships and choose their own classes as they progress toward Confirmation. Classes are taught by outstanding teachers and rabbis. Choices include Jewish ethics, cooking, drama, conversational Hebrew, comparative religion and many more.
Welcome!
Hebrew High is a program of Jewish learning and social time with your friends. We balance fun and focus, experiential and book learning. The greater the number of students that attend Hebrew High, the greater the variety of classes we can offer, aso get your Jewish friends, Temple Beth El members or not, to join you at Hebrew High! Below you will find everything you need to know about Hebrew High. Of course, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Blessings,
Shifra Weiss-Penzias
Associate Rabbi
swp@tbeaptos.org
831-479-3444 ext. 217
Sarah Clarkson
Congregational Learning Coordinator
sclarkson@tbeaptos.org
831-479-3444 ext. 218
HANDBOOK
Download the Hebrew High Handbook here.
CALENDAR
2018-19 Fall Hebrew High School calendar.
Each school year is divided into three terms. The terms are:
Fall Term: September 26 – December 12, 2018
Winter Term: January 16 – March 6, 2019
Spring Term: March 13 – May 8, 2019
10th grade Confirmation rehearsal May 15, 2019
10th grade Confirmation dinner and rehearsal, May 22, 2019
10th grade Confirmation will be on Friday evening, May 24, 2019
SCHEDULE
7th Grade and Hebrew High 6:30‒8:30 PM
Winter Term 2018 January 10‒March 7
6:30 PM ~ Pizza First
7:00‒8:15 PM ~ Classes
8:15‒8:30 PM ~ Kinoos
SAMPLE CLASSES
Read about the types of classes you can choose at Hebrew High.
OUR STAFF
Read about our excellent staff.
TRANSCRIPTS
Students will have transcripts folders here at temple to help them keep track of their progress toward Confirmation.
HEBREW HIGH GOALS
CREATING AN ADULT JEWISH LIFE
• Understand and appreciate the diversity of Jewish religious practice (i.e. Reform, Renewal, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Hassidic, Conservative, etc.)
• Explore values and choices of adult Jewish life (i.e. dating, sex, marriage, parenting, business ethics, and death);
• Create a personal Jewish religious practice:
• Encourage the continued use of Hebrew as a tool of Jewish learning:
• Learn the tools to create a joyful Jewish life (i.e. Shabbat cooking and song, celebrating Holidays, etc.
• Foster Jewish Self-Expression through Jewish art, drama, and movement
BUILDING COMMUNITY
• Develop a lasting bond with Jewish contemporaries,
• Build appreciation for responsibility to our local Jewish community and the greater Jewish world,
• Deepen the commitment to the state of Israel,
• Continue a dedication to tzedakkah (righteous giving) and tikkun olam (improving and enhancing the world).
WORKING TOWARD CONFIRMATION
• Assimilate accumulated learning and apply it in creating the Friday night confirmation service.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students will choose two courses to take in each of the three quarters, usually one "Core Course" and one "Elective" or "Serious Judaism" Class.
SERIOUS JUDAISM Each student before Confirmation will need to take at least 3 "Serious Judaism" Classes -choices include, Jewish History, Torah Talk, Text Talk, Jewish Mysticism, Introduction to Talmud, Judaism and the Environment, Jewish Practices and Ethics 2.
CORE COURSES Students also need to take 3 out of the 5 "Core" Courses:
1. Diversity in Judaism
2. Ethics 1
3. Torah Talk
4. Love, Sex and Gender - Jewish Views
Confirmation Practicum
10th graders do not take classes in the Spring of their 10th grade year. Instead, the class prepares for their Confirmation together with Rabbi Paula and Rabbi Shifra.
SNACKS
Each week three families take a turn providing NUT FREE snacks for approximately 50 students. When you are assigned a date please, put it on your calendar or let us know if that date does not work for you. We focus on nutritious snacks for our teens (who seem to always be hungry) rather than sugar or “junk foods”. Feel free to coordinate with the other two families. For example, one family might bring pretzels and cheese sticks, while the second family brings juice and the third fruit.
COURSE OFFERINGS
Winter Term 2018 January 10‒March 7
Confirmation Project with Carly Zarrow
Open to 10th graders
Each year the confirmation class creates something to leave a legacy behind at the Temple when they graduate from Temple School. This year the 10th graders will be working with Carly Zarrow, perhaps to create a mosaic.
Peace and Spirituality Class with Muna Alsheikh and Rabbi Paula
Open to 9th graders
This class will be an interactive and conversational creative communication about your opinions and perspectives, as we explore texts from Judaism and other world religions on the concepts of global peace, spirituality and God.
8th grade seminar with Benjamin Flatauer
This class will combine Jewish cooking and other activities with a look at Jewish culture and texts.