A lively and provocative discussion-based analysis of current events and significant topics of concern to us as Jewish high school students living in an ever-evolving national and international political, cultural and social scene. While experience has demonstrated that it is next to impossible to predict exactly what events and situations will arise in the United States, Israel and the world in the next few months that will merit our attention and review, a few topics are likely as we approach the Fall 2015 semester. For instance, we will be discussing the 2016 US Presidential campaign, its implications for Israel, the continuing conflicts in the Middle East including the status of the Israeli-Palestinian “relationship” and battle against violent Islamic fundamentalism, and the tricky balance for us as Jews negotiating between religious/social freedom and the acceptance of diversity (such as the controversy over the Confederate Battle flag) in our society.
History of Jews in Europe
Did you ever wonder what life was like in the "Old Country" for most of our great grandparents, and their great grandparents before them? How they got there and why they left (or why they didn't)? This class will focus on the 2,000 year old story of the Jews of Europe and their experiences living as a minority among their Christian neighbors during many of the major events of modern history. We will explore the history of Jewish life in Europe during key historical moments such as the Black Plague, the Crusades, the discovery of the New World, the Protestant Reformation, the Renaissance, the Napoleonic era and rise of the modern nationalism, radicalism, and a host of other "isms" too numerous to mention here. Parent/Student Advisory: The instructor reserves the right to use snippets from Hollywood movies and musicals of questionable value to provide a potentially inaccurate visual portrayal of historic events.
What's a Jewish Girl to Do?
Is there such a thing as a “good Jewish girl”? The identity and experiences of a Jewish woman has evolved over time, fast forward to us and now! Together we will create a safe space to discuss and explore the experiences of Jewish girls and social issues including sexuality, eating disorders, body image, dating and relationships, substance abuse and bullying (to name a few!) all in relation to Jewish identity and our roles and identity as women.
How Would You Spend Your First Million?
Congratulations! You’ve just won $1,000,000.00! Or maybe you earned in the stock market. However you got it, now you’ve got to give it away. This course will teach you how to evaluate and choose where your dollars will go. We will begin by learning what is entailed in setting up a philanthropic organization and how philanthropies position themselves in the market for donors. Over the course of the semester, the students will work independently to identify and classify Jewish philanthropic organizations within a given sphere, develop a list of priorities and goals, and then budget their money according to those priorities and goals.
A Taste of Hebrew
Do you ever watch Chopped and think, “I could do that!”? Do you love to cook or want to learn how? Here’s your chance to create delicious recipes while simultaneously learning Hebrew. In this class, the students will explore, prepare, and eat Israeli foods representing different ethnic culinary customs. Each session is conducted in English and Hebrew, and includes vocabulary words and a history lesson related to each recipe.
Participants will learn about Ashkenazi and Sephardic community cultures and their different styles of cooking.
Presidential Election: 2016
Students will take an in depth look at the presidential candidates, their platforms, the parties they represent and analyze the media hype that surrounds this year's Presidential Election.
Jews and Sports
The class, "Jews and Sports", will include discussions about our body, our strengths and weaknesses, our internal image, competition, sportsmanship, doping, cheating, fraud, that we are made B'tzelem Elokim, successes and failures of Jewish athletes Hank Greenberg, Ryan Braun, Mark Spitz, Ali Reisler, Samuel Berger, public acceptance and struggles in what was once considered "not very Jewish", as well as memorable and historic events of Jews and Israelis in the world of sport, and the Olympics.
Sip, Schmooze and Create
Using acrylic paints on a stretch canvas, students will create a painting by drawing inspiration from Gustav Klimt’s painting, “Tree of Life.” Students will create another one-of- a-kind work of art using a 10” x 9” chamsa die-cut from thin gauge aluminum. The students will use repoussé metal working techniques to transform their chamsa with low relief designs. Their aluminum art will be enhanced with metallic paints and some special Magic Metal paints that give the surface a patina. A final project will be a glass collage and ceramic mezuzah.
Better Together - Tracing Our Roots
In this community service course, our students will be working with seniors from The Massry Residence, in a program entitled, "Tracing Our Roots". Throughout the year, students and seniors will explore their family's history and ancestry by focusing on themes of national allegiance, freedom, diversity, love and finding joy and welcoming others. The curriculum being planned will utilize personal and family stories, Ancestry.com as a tool as needed to help fill in gaps in our personal stories and how our experiences contribute to our own Jewish and cultural identities. The participants in the program will create their own personal family trees, facilitated by an art instructor.