At Congregation Beth Judea we view education as a never ending adventure.  Starting with our Tot program, through our Religious School and Hebrew High programs, to our Adult Education offerings, there is plenty to take advantage of and add to your knowledge of Judaism.  

We consider the education of our children to be among our primary objectives.  We seek to shape sincere, committed and educated Jews in order to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people and of our heritage, while at the same time maintaining the Conservative movement’s principles.  We, as Jews, are links in a long chain of tradition and history, which has endured for thousands of years, and hopefully, will endure for thousands more.

Our program transmits the ideals and ideas inherent in Judaism in numerous exciting and creative ways.  By providing a loving and supportive atmosphere in which our children can study about their heritage, we hope to instill in our students a sense of pride in who they are and a feeling of responsibility and caring for the continuity of the Jewish people.  Learning can only be accomplished through a partnership between the school, the child and the home.  Our parents are given the opportunity to participate in many facets of their children’s Jewish education.  Through family education programs, workshops, adult education opportunities and congregational celebrations, we can all work together to become partners in the important task of passing along our heritage to our children.  We want our children to love being Jewish.  Together with our children we want to celebrate and discover all that is sacred and wonderful in Jewish life.

While our Religious School encompasses Kindergarten through 7^th Grade, our goal is to ensure that children will continue their Judaic and Hebrew studies throughout their high school years. Our 8^th through 12^th Grade students will participate in Beth Judea University. There are a variety of courses from which to choose. These students will meet at the Synagogue from 6:00 to 7:50 pm every Tuesday evening. 

During the 10^th grade confirmation year, students will meet and study with our Rabbis and Hazzan and participate in the synagogue’s Confirmation service, marking their completion of our synagogue’s educational program. Confirmation is incorporated into our Beth Judea University – Hebrew High School program.

Before conducting a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony, students must have completed at least five years in an accepted religious school program (see attendance policy below).

Our entire Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade curriculum is designed so that our children will grow up to be adult literate Jews with the knowledge and skills to live a fulfilling life as a member of any Jewish community.

Torah

§          Outline the major parts of Torah and Tanakh, and be familiar with the major Biblical characters,  their stories, their relationship to one another, and their relationship to the bigger picture of the Jewish people

§          Know how a Torah scroll is made

§          Appreciate the sanctity of Torah as the holy book of the Jewish people

§          Study Torah as an ongoing source of lessons in morals, values and history

Holidays

§          Observe the holidays with family and in the synagogue

§          Explain the solar-lunar Jewish calendar, the relationship of holidays to seasons, the length of Jewish holidays on the Conservative calendar, and why days begin the previous evenings

§          Model for others how and why to observe Jewish holidays

§          Find spiritual satisfaction in observing holidays

Values

§          Make decisions based on Jewish values

§          List and explain the primary Jewish values to follow in life

§          Exhibit Jewish values in daily life

§          Celebrate life-cycle events according to Jewish tradition

§          Explain the background and value of Jewish life-cycle events

§          Define “Mitzvot” and the holy obligations to observe them

§          Explain the ideological differences between Conservative and other branches of Judaism

God

§          Have a sense of God’s presence in one’s life

§          Describe God’s relationship with the Jewish people

§          Describe God’s relationship with all of humanity

Hebrew

§          Participate in Jewish worship services by comfortably reading Hebrew

§          Understand ritually based Hebrew terms

§          Learn key Holiday and Siddur vocabulary

Prayer

§          Explain the format of a Jewish prayer service

§          Describe the choreography of a service

§          Comfortably participate in Jewish prayer on a regular basis

§          Summarize the themes of the prayers in a Jewish prayer service

§          Explain the ideological differences between Conservative and other prayer services

People of Israel/Am Yisrael

§          Be actively involved in the Jewish community

§          Identify the Jewish people as a unique community and family to which every Jew belongs

§          Recognize the influence of Jewish values in making people “heroes”

§          Recognize Jewish values in every day situations

§          Discuss current events impacting the Jewish community

§          Explain the ongoing “brit”, covenant, between God and the People of Israel

§          Explain the ideological differences between different branches of Judaism, and state their reasons for affiliating with a particular movement

Land of Israel/Eretz Yisrael

§          Summarize the biblical origins of the land of Israel

§          Summarize the biblical history of the land of Israel, its people, prophets, and monarchies

§          Describe the historical connection between the biblical Israel and the attainment of a modern state

§          Identify the location and significance of geographical places in the biblical land of Israel

State of Israel/Medinat Yisrael

§          Broadly outline the history, politics, and geography of the modern state

§          Explain the importance of the modern state to Jews today

§          Describe their own trip(s) to Israel

§          Describe aspects of the modern state’s unique culture

§          Explain the role of religion in the modern state, with particular emphasis on the status of Conservative Judaism

Welcome to the Congregation Beth Judea Religious School. Here you will find children learning and experiencing Judaism through prayer, study, projects, holiday celebrations and family workshops.

Following the guidelines set by United Synagogue of America, the umbrella organization for Conservative synagogues, our Religious School consists of Sunday School for children in Kindergarten through 2^nd Grade, Hebrew School for children in 3^rd through 7^th Grades and our Hebrew High School - "Beth Judea University" - for children in 8^th – 12^th Grades.

General curriculum for Kindergarten – 2^nd Grade is based on the following items:

1) Hebrew Reading Readiness – becoming familiar with, and learning to identify Hebrew letters.

2) Shabbat and the Holidays – developing an understanding of the customs and traditions that are at the heart of these important, special days.

3) Torah/Bible – learning about our great Jewish Patriarchs and Matriarchs, and beginning Torah and Bible stories.

4) Jewish Ethics and Values – our young students begin to learn about the concepts of "doing a mitzvah" and "Derech Eretz" in Judaism.

The overall objectives of the Primary Grades are to instill and encourage a sense of excitement and pride in being Jewish, to develop positive feelings for Jewish learning and education and become comfortable with his/her Judaism. Students will become acquainted with the basic elements of Hebrew language, Bible, Jewish holidays and rituals. Many methods are used in the classroom to convey the basic elements, including storytelling, music, arts and crafts and hands-on activities.

Curriculum for Aleph through Heh (3^rd through 7^th Grades) is based on these topics:

1) Hebrew – Focused on the reading and understanding of a wide variety of prayers, students will learn important synagogue skills that they can use throughout their lifetime. Through weekly afternoon services, students will become strong participants and leaders in these services.

2) Shabbat and the Holidays – As the grades progress, our students continue to learn about Shabbat and holiday traditions and customs on an increasingly in-depth basis, with the addition of Kabbalat Shabbat and weekly afternoon services.

3) Jewish Ethics and Values – Our students in grades Aleph through Heh learn that there is a Jewish framework of ethics and values which may be applied to daily life.

4) Israel – The children learn about the crucial connection between Eretz Yisrael and the Jewish community throughout the world, through their teacher, the study of related texts and materials, and group discussion.

5) Torah and Bible – Throughout all of the grades, students study Torah and Bible with increasing detail as they "move up" through our school. This includes the weekly Torah portion - Parshat

HaShavua – connected to each Sabbath.

6) Heh Class/7^th Grade – In this class, students will have the opportunity to learn intensively about Ethics, Holocaust studies, Social Action, and continue Project Etgar.

The overall objective of these grades is to provide our students with the knowledge, respect and love of elements of the Siddur, Hebrew language, Bible, Jewish rituals and an understanding of God.  Prayer during weekday sessions and classroom discussions will be occasions to help students develop in their spiritual growth.

KINDERGARTEN

Time: Meets once a week for a total of 3 hours per week

Hebrew:

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Get used to scanning page from right to left.
• Begin to build a basic Hebrew vocabulary based on holidays and rituals.
• Learn Consecration prayers & songs: Shema, Torah Tsiva Lanu Moshe, Shehechianu
• Prayers: Shema, Mode Ani, Ma Tovu (all by rote)
• Blessings: Snack Brachot, Boray P’ree HaGafen, HaMotzi, Shabbat Blessings, Hanukkah blessings, Ma Nishtana and the 4 Questions (all by rote)

Holidays: Let’s Discover the Holidays- Fall & Spring; Let’s Discover Shabbat

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Learn the basic concepts and ritual symbols of Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Simhat Torah, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover.
• Focus will be placed on study of Shabbat through all modes of experiential learning.

Bible: A Child’s Garden of Torah

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Students will become acquainted with some of the Bible stories ranging from Creation to Moses to the Building of the Mishkan.
• Explore basic concepts about God including how we talk to God, how we act in God’s image, our covenant, Mitzvot and what it means that God is one.

Values: Let’s Discover Mitzvot

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Discuss basic concepts of Mitzvah.
• Learn to perform Mitzvot such as those listed below and tie these ideas into the Torah component when applicable:

a. Tzedakah

b. Honoring our Parents

c. Visiting the Sick

d. Tikun Olam

e. Derech Eretz

f. Feed the Hungry

g. Saving the Earth

h. Guarding Your Tongue

i. Welcoming Guests

j. Kindness to Others

k. Talmud Torah

l. Kindness to Animals

Israel:

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Introduce basic concepts of Israel as the Homeland of the Jewish people.
• Inspire a love of the land of Israel in students.
• Make a connection b/w the holiday of Tu B’Shevat and Israel for students.

FIRST GRADE

Time: Meets once a week for a total of 3 hours per week

Hebrew: The New Siddur Program for Hebrew and Heritage – Reading Readiness; Thank You God

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Learn names, shapes and sounds of the aleph-bet.
• Learn to sight-read their names and basic vocabulary words relating to holidays and rituals.
• Prayers: Barchu, Oseh Shalom, Hatikvah, L’Cha Dodi – refrain, Ein Keloheinu – 1st verse
• Blessings: Sukkot blessings, Havdalah blessings and Dayenu
• Students will participate in a Tefillah time during which they will actively practice the prayers and blessings they have learned and are learning.

Holidays: A Time to Celebrate

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Building on knowledge gained in Kindergarten, students will learn the basic concepts and ritual symbols of Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simhat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu B'Shevat, Purim, Passover, Yom Ha'Atzma'ut, and Shavuot through stories, arts and crafts, games & activities and songs.
• Students will gain a sense of the Jewish lunar calendar and come to know the most important days in its cyclical year.

Bible: Let’s Discover Bible: Set 2

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Students will understand that the Jewish Bible is called the Tanach.
• Students will continue learning stories in the Bible; specifically focusing on Moses, The Exodus, Moses on the Mountain, Samson, Ruth & Naomi, David & Goliath, Solomon, The Wise King, and Jonah & the Great Fish.
• Explore basic concepts about God including how we talk to God, how we act in God’s image, our covenant, Mitzvot and what it means that God is one.

Values/Synagogue: Let’s Explore Being Jewish: Mitzvot; My Synagogue Scrapbook

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• To study and explore the synagogue, the places in it and the people who work there, so as to make the students feel comfortable and welcomed at CBJ.
• Students will explain the stories of the Torah as lessons, which can teach us the difference between right and wrong.
• Students will define the word Mitzvah and be able to learn in depth about various Mitzvot.

Israel:

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• To study the symbols of the State of Israel (the flag, 7-branched menorah, emblem of the State).
• Learn basic geography of Israel.
• Inspire a love of the land of Israel in students.
• Make a connection b/w the holiday of Tu B’Shevat and Israel for students.
• Introduce the Hebrew term K’lal Yisrael.

SECOND GRADE

Time: Meets once a week for a total of 3 hours per week

Hebrew: Shalom Alef-Bet!

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Recognize letters and sounds of the Aleph-Bet and be introduced to vowels.
• Develop simple decoding skills.
• Begin to read simple words without difficulty.
• Introduction to writing in Hebrew (print).
• Prayers: Baruch Shem Kevod, Sim Shalom, Shalom Rav and Adon Olam
• Blessings: Review of blessings taught in past grades

Holidays: Alef Celebration Lessons

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Students will continue their study of the holidays, their origins, rituals, songs and celebrations. They will focus on the order of the Jewish calendar.
• Students will be able to explain that there is a Jewish calendar that we use.
• Students will appreciate and anticipate the new moon in celebration of Rosh Chodesh.
• Students will discuss the celebration of holidays in accordance with Conservative standards of practices.

Bible: The Bible from Alef to Tav; BJL: God

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Students will become more acquainted with the Heroes/Great Jews of the Bible. They are to include familiar ones such as Noah and Abraham as well new ones such as Ruth, Hannah, Rabbi Akiba and Rabbi Hillel.
• Students will show proficiency in detailing the English and Hebrew names of the books of the Torah.
• Students will continue learning Parshat HaShavuah using stories, role-playing, discussions, and crafts.
• Explore basic concepts about God including how we talk to God, how we act in God’s image, our covenant, mitzvot and what it means that God is one.

Values: Alef Celebration Lessons

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Students will explain the stories of the Torah as lessons, which can teach us the difference between right and wrong.
• Foster a feeling of classroom and synagogue as a community.
• Students will be able to explain that the synagogue is affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
• Students will be able to explain that men and women can have equal roles in the synagogue service.

Israel:

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Study Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel and to create a feeling of connection to it.
• Students will explain ways in which they can support Israel.
• Inspire a love of the land of Israel in students.
• Make a connection b/w the holiday of Tu B’Shevat and Israel for students.

ALEPH – THIRD GRADE

Time: Meets twice a week for a total of 5 hours per week

Hebrew: Ot La Ba’ot

Students will spend a good portion of the year learning/reviewing the letters and vowels of the Hebrew alphabet as well as developing phonetic reading skills for fluency.

Prayer: Midyear, students will have opportunities to participate in student assemblies based on Minha and Ma’ariv services. The prayers covered during the year are:

          Services:      V'Shamru, Shalom Aleichem, Mi Chamocha, Kiddush, L'cha Dodi (the first 3 stanzas and the last stanza)

          Blessings:    Brachot for Shabbat (Candles, Wine, Hand-washing, Bread), Brachot for Foods (Fruit, Vegetables, Pastries, She-hakol)

Holidays: My Jewish Year

Through holiday stories, students will learn rituals, symbols traditions and legends that have grown around them. The text used conveys the excitement of holiday celebrations – from the breathless search for the afikomen to the awe inspired sounding of the shofar to the delight of dressing up in costumes for Purim. Students will participate in Kabbalat Shabbat on Tuesday afternoons, welcoming Shabbat with appropriate blessing and prayers.

Bible: The Explorer’s Bible: Volume 1

Students will be engaged in authentic, dynamic Bible study. They will explore the Bible as Jews have done for centuries—by pondering, personalizing, and wrestling with the text. Students will work all year on creating their own Torah scroll with synopses of the stories they’ve learned.

Values: Jewish Values from Alef to Tav: The Book

Through biblical, rabbinic and folk stories, students will learn the important values that influence their lives.

BET – FOURTH GRADE

Time: Meets twice a week for a total of 5 hours per week

Hebrew: Sifatai Tiftach – Book 1

Through Sifatai Tiftach 1 students will begin the study of Tefillot. They will begin to master prayers and blessings as well as develop an understanding of the meaning of these prayers.

Prayer: Students will have opportunities to participate in student assemblies based on Minha and Ma’ariv services. They will learn how and when to chant prayers and participate in a regular service by reading the prayers. Also, classroom discussions will give the students opportunities to explore their feelings about God and the spiritual aspects of life. The prayers covered during the year are:

          Services:        Modei Ani, Ma Tovu, Lechu Neranena (first 2 lines), Yishmichu

HaShamayim, Barchu for Erev Shabbat (congregational response), Shema, V’Ahavta, Vay’chulu, Full Kiddush (add Vay’chulu), Yigdal, Aleinu, Hatikvah

          Blessings:       Full Birkat HaMazon b'Kitzur (Men's Club version)

Holidays: The Book of Jewish Holidays

Students will become acquainted with the vocabulary and concepts of Shabbat and Jewish holy days on a more sophisticated level than in lower grades. Students will participate in Kabbalat Shabbat on Tuesday afternoons, welcoming Shabbat with appropriate blessing and prayers.

Bible: The Explorer’s Bible: Volume 2; Sedra Scenes

Students will continue their engagement in authentic, dynamic Bible study. They will be presented with sacred stories from the Torah, Prophets, and Writings. Students will also become familiar with Parshat HaShavuah – the weekly Torah portion – through lively and engaging plays. These plays combine contemporary settings and vocabulary with stories that are faithful to the biblical text.

Theology: Partners With God

Children have profound questions about God.  We will offer a clear and comfortable way to introduce Jewish concepts of God to our children. With stories from our tradition, modern photographs, vibrant illustrations and inventive activities, this class will explore ideas of God and holiness and discover a Jewish vocabulary for thinking and talking about God.

GIMEL – FIFTH GRADE

Time: Meets twice a week for a total of 5 hours per week

Hebrew: Sifatai Tiftach – Book 2

Through Sifatai Tiftach 2 students will continue the study of Tefillot. They will expand their knowledge of prayers and understand the general content of the prayers. They will also begin to explore personal meaning in the prayers.

Prayer: Gimel Shabbat takes places every Shabbat morning, in lieu of Sundays. In this program students learn how to become active participants and congregants in the Shabbat morning service.

Students will also have opportunities to participate in student assemblies based on Minha and Ma’ariv services. They will learn how and when to chant prayers and participate in a regular service by reading the prayers. The prayers covered during the year are:

            Services:      Review of Shema & V'ahavta, & Aleinu, Modeh Ani, Shema (final paragraph, Shabbat Shacharit Amida (through Kedusha & Sim Shalom), Torah Service (Taking Out/Returning), Ashrei, Barchu, Mi Chamocha (congregation sections), Ein Keloheinu, Adon Olam, Hatikvah

          Blessings:    Bracha for Tallit, Torah Brachot

History: History of the Jewish People

Students will consider how their lives compare with the lives of our ancestors, how each generation adapts Judaism to its time and place, and how the decisions of previous generations influence our own lives and decisions. Students will grasp the historical continuity essential to the development of a confident Jewish identity.

Israel: Welcome to Israel

Students will be introduced to Israel’s history, geography, and political, commercial and cultural life. They will develop an appreciation and understanding of the covenant that the Jewish people have with Israel. In an age-appropriate way, students will also learn about Israel’s struggle to coexist peacefully with its neighbors.

Jewish Current Events: Each week, students will learn about issues affecting the local, national and international Jewish community.

Values: A Kid’s Mensch Handbook; To Learn Is To Do

During the course of the year, there will be opportunities for students to think critically about right and wrong, the importance of the choices they make and the role Judaism plays in their lives.

DALET – SIXTH GRADE

Time: Meets twice a week for a total of 5 hours per week

Hebrew: Sifatai Tiftach – Book 3

Through Sifatai Tiftach 3 students will continue to strengthen their knowledge of Tefillot. They will continue to expand their knowledge of prayers and make personal meaning of them.

Prayer: Students will learn about the separation of Shabbat from the rest of the week – Havdalah. They will become familiar with the customs and prayers that must take place for the end of Shabbat. Every year, we have a beautiful Dalet Havdalah program for all Dalet families.

Students will also have opportunities to participate in student assemblies based on Minha and Ma’ariv services. They will learn how and when to chant prayers and participate in a regular service by reading the prayers. The prayers covered during the year are:

          Services:      Yotzer Or/Or Hadash, El Adon, Tzur Yisrael, Ma Tovu (full prayer), Birkhot HaShahar, Barukh SheAmar, Halleluhu, K'dusha for Shabbat, Musaf Havdalah Service, Shabbat Minha Amida (thru K'dusha), Bar'chu

                               (weekday services)

          Blessings:       Kiddush, Motzi, Birkat HaMazon, Brachot for Haftarah, Tefillin

B’nai Mitzvah Preparation: Putting God on the Guest List

Hazzan Weisberg will work with Dalet students on Sunday mornings to prepare them for their upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Project Etgar:

Project Etgar is an exciting, field-tested sixth through eighth grade curriculum designed to facilitate students' search for answers to real-life questions through the lens of Conservative Judaism. It is based upon 4MAT, a sound educational model that engages students in active learning while considering their individual learning styles.

Project Etgar offers text-based and experiential learning opportunities; engages students in making personal and communal choices; and gives students a new lens for exploring Judaism's core values.

MIDDLE SCHOOL: HEH – SEVENTH GRADE

Seventh Grade meets twice a week for a total of 3 ¾ hours per week.

The overall objective is to provide our students with contemporary, relevant study and activities during the normally stressful Bar/Bat Mitzvah year. Students attend Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings and engage in units emphasizing Holocaust Studies, Jewish Values, and Social Action projects. Occasional field trips and speakers add to this unique year.

HEH – SEVENTH GRADE

Project Etgar:  Project Etgar is an exciting, field-tested sixth through eighth grade curriculum designed to facilitate students' search for answers to real-life questions through the lens of Conservative Judaism. It is based upon 4MAT, a sound educational model that engages students in active learning while considering their individual learning styles.

Project Etgar offers text-based and experiential learning opportunities; engages students in making personal and communal choices; and gives students a new lens for exploring Judaism's core values.

Ethics: Pirkei Avot: Ethics of our Fathers

Students will explore Jewish values through their everyday relationships and decision making. By the use of trigger video clips from classic movies, students will discuss modern ethical dilemmas. Texts and commentaries are provided to help the guided discussion.

Holocaust Studies: Students will be introduced to age-appropriate information about the Holocaust.

During the 2 month unit, students will have guest speakers as well as a visit to the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education in Skokie.

Poverty and Social Action: Students will participate in a “mini-course that will introduce them to the causes of poverty, to potential responses to poverty, and to Jewish approaches to poverty and the poor.  The curriculum emphasizes the systemic causes of poverty and focuses on ways to make society as a whole more equitable.

All Aleph through Heh students are required to attend 9 Shabbat services during the course of the school year (August 1, 2008 – May 30, 2009).  Services that will count toward Shabbat service requirements are:

• Friday night – services begin at 7:30 pm
• Shabbat morning – services begin at 9:30 am

-          Aleph & Bet families may attend the Gan Shabbat service which begins at 10:30 am in the Beit Midrash.

• High Holiday Services - Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur day services
• Any service in which there is a Torah and Haftarah reading such as

-          Rosh Chodesh

-          Sukkot

-          Passover

-          Shavuot

• Of the Shabbat service requirement, all students (except Gimel)  must attend at least 3 Friday night and 3 Shabbat morning services.  Gimel students must attend at least 3 Friday nights.  Gimel students should note that Shabbat morning services will count only on the days when there is no Gimel Shabbat. 

PROCEDURE:

1. Upon entering the sanctuary, please inform the ushers that you are there for the school Shabbat attendance requirement.

2. They will give you the RED binder that contains the “Shabbat attendance” forms. Place a sticker near your family name in the appropriate date box.

3. The Education Director will review the attendance requirements monthly to make sure that all families are on track.

MUSIC PROGRAM

Our music program, taught by Natasha Bodansky, is the means by which our children experience the rich and diverse music of our people.  Kindergarten through Bet will have music every Sunday morning.  All grades will have opportunities to participate in music in our monthly assemblies and during special programs.

RESOURCE ROOM

Located in the School Office is the Teacher Resource Room.  In this room are materials available to support our children in their studies.  There are library books, videos and Hebrew materials that are used by the teachers, tutors and Resource personnel.

We offer a comprehensive program for post-Bnai Mitzvah students, enabling them to continue their Jewish studies on a more mature, age-appropriate level. The program setting gives students an opportunity for free expression of ideas in a warm, social setting.

Our 8^th – 12^th Grade Hebrew High students will meet once a week. Rabbis Howard Lifshitz, Robert Gamer, Anna Besser, Alina Groth, and Hanna Pasthan will be teaching our “Beth Judea University” students a variety of Jewish topics.

BJU will meet once a week on Tuesday nights from 6 pm – 7:50 pm. Their evening would consist of the following:

                   6:00 – 7:00 pm Class

                   7:00 – 7:30 pm Dinner with USY

                   7:30 – 7:50 pm Minyan; end of BJU

                   7:50 pm – on Stay for USY (9^th – 12^th Graders) if you would like ☺

A weekly dinner will be held following class so that students can socialize with their friends as well as become involved in USY programs. This is an opportunity for students to participate in USY and vice versa, for USYers to participate in BJU.

BJU is unlike regular Hebrew school. Students choose what they want to learn about from a range of classes. These classes are taught by various teachers such as Rabbi Gamer, Rabbi Lifshitz, Alina Groth, Hanna Pashtan and myself.

The year consists of four mini-courses on topics such as God, Torah and the Simpsons, the MTV Challenge, Current Events, Religion and Rock & Roll, and so forth. Students will be able to choose courses on a first come, first serve basis which of the classes they would like to take. Students cannot repeat a class previously taken in any quarter during the same academic year.

FIRST SESSION

Sept. 16, 23, Oct. 7, 28, Nov 4

God, Torah and the Simpsons – taught by Rabbi Gamer

God talk, discussing ethics, family and social issues based on The Simpsons television show.  Each week a new issue will be discussed in relation to the television show and the views Judaism holds on it.

HaDag Nachash – Israel from Bumper to Bumper - taught by Anna Besser

The beauty and poetry of Israel’s music and the bombastic, shrill nature of its bumper stickers, slogans and graffiti are two phenomena that play important roles in Israeli society.  Each week, Israeli music and various bumper stickers will be explored to gain an understanding of Israel’s politics, values and culture.

Let’s Talk! Conversational Hebrew – taught by Hanna Pashtan

This class is designed to teach students modern conversational Hebrew.  This class will last for 10 weeks – First & Second Session!

SECOND SESSION

Nov. 11, 18, Dec. 2, 9, 16

Being a Jew through the Ages – taught by Alina Groth

Come explore what it was like to be a Jew through various times in history, such as during the reign of Henry VIII, the Spanish Inquisition, New America, and much more.  We will talk about what life was like, the similarities and differences and the historical relevance from our time and theirs. 

Jewish Choices, Jewish Voices: Money – taught by Rabbi Lifshitz

Is it O.K. to be wealthy? How do we know when we have too much? Enough? Is wealth relative-are those born into wealth entitled to accumulate more money than those born in poorer circumstances? What are we obligated to do with our money? How much are we supposed to give to charity? Can Jewish charitable institutions accept money that may be "tainted?" How big a role should income play in our identity, in our life plan, in our pursuit of happiness?

Let’s Talk! Conversational Hebrew – taught by Hanna Pashtan

Continuation of modern conversational Hebrew from 1^st Session.

THIRD SESSION

Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3

Cooking Kosher with Rabbi Gamer – taught by Rabbi Gamer

Explore the why and how of kashrut through text study, cooking and eating!

Teens & Trust – taught by Alina Groth

How do we nurture bonds of trust between each other, between siblings, and between parent and child? This mini course will focus on trust issues that teens deal with every day.  Our discussions will be triggered through use of short videos and we will use biblical text excerpts to guide our way.  

Let’s Talk! Conversational Hebrew – taught by Hanna Pashtan

This class is designed to teach students modern conversational Hebrew.  This class will last for 12 weeks – Third & Fourth Session!

FOURTH SESSION

March 10, 17, April 7, 14, 21, 28

The Crux of the Matter - taught by Anna Besser

During this course we will take a look at how religion has shaped the way we live and behave.  Living in a predominantly Christian county means that the majority of people in our society make decisions through a Christian lens.  This course will give you a chance to think about the ways Judaism and Christianity shape the values, beliefs and behaviors of our society.

Jewish Choices, Jewish Voices: Body – taught by Rabbi Lifshitz

What are our obligations and rights to our own bodies? For example, what does Judaism say about tattoos? Piercings? About our obligations to exercise and eat properly? What about smoking? Alcohol? Recreational drugs? Who owns our organs? What about our eggs and sperm? If resources are limited, whose body comes first and how do we decide? Why do so many young Jews suffer from eating disorders?

Let’s Talk! Conversational Hebrew – taught by Hanna Pashtan

Continuation of modern conversational Hebrew from 3^rd Session.