7^th – 12^th GRADES

OVERVIEW of CORE CLASSES

The Jr. and Sr. High School Programs include dinner as socialization is an integral component, of the program.  In an effort to increase community building among the students, various workshops will be offered throughout the year that will pre-empt either core classes, electives or both.

Seventh grade will be divided into trimesters as the students study about their culture and heritage and strengthen their prayer skills.

Hebrew Component (full year study)

The first ½ hour of class will be spent learning Hebrew through song.  The 2^nd half hour will be Hebrew prayer literacy of the following prayers:  Sh’ma/V’ahavta; Avot; Gevourote; K’dushah; Yotzer; Ahavah Rabah; Geula.  Each prayer will be taught for 3 weeks with the clergy teaching on the 1st week.

Judaica Component

Shtetl – Students will learn about Jewish life in Europe through an intense, hands-on experience.  Using a history time-line, this class will develop a deep understanding of their ancestry and how Judaism has evolved.  Students will research, journalize and simulate life in the shtetl by choosing a family name, family members, and the appearance of their physical space.  They will come to understand the early Zionist movement and the political implications history and tradition have played in our personal choices.

Jews in America – The early years of American Jewish history explores events from the expulsion from Spain (1492) to the settlement in American cities from NY to San Francisco (1880).  Students will learn how the Jews brought their religion, traditions, languages, culture and ideas to a new land.  Continuing on from the Civil War to the role Americans played in Israel’s War of Independence (1948).  The focus will be on themes of growth and change – as America developed in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.  The class will conclude with the issues that confront the American Jewish community today, including Jews in politics, the spirituality movement, and the changing role of women in religious life.

TEXTS:  Challenge and Change – Books 1 – 3

Book 1 – Jews in the New World; the Revolutionary War and the New Republic; Central European Jews Come to America

Book 2 – The Civil War and the Jews; Immigration and Labor; American Jews and Zionism

Book 3 – American Jews Enter the 20^th Century; Jews in Post-War America; Being Jewish in America Today

Jewish Identity – The theme for this class is Hineni (I am here) to enable our students to reflect upon where they are as they stand on the threshold of becoming Jewish adults.  Students will come to understand the significance of Jewish life-cycle events and their rituals as a way of creating a boundary, in the most positive sense which helps define their Jewish identity.  Students will start to find their own personal meaning in the teachings of our tradition at this transitional time of their lives.

Enduring Understandings

• Avodah is the work we do to find sacred connections to God, community and self
• Engaging in the work of avodah can bring order, beauty, meaning and insight tour lives and our community
• The message and power of Jewish prayer can help me understand and define myself as an individual and as an authentic member of the Jewish Community
• Our development as emerging Reform Jewish adults and authentic members of the Jewish community is closely linked to our ethical behavior (middot) and the performance of acts of g’milut chasadim.

TEXT:

Chai Curriculum, Level 7, Avodah and Gemilut Chasadim

Lessons covered:  Avodah Lessons 1, Introduction to the Jewish Life Cycle; Lesson 2, B’nei Mitzvah and Marriage: Responsibility and Relationships, Lesson 7, My Jewish Identity: Eilu D’varim – What Must I Do?; Lesson 8, My Jewish Identity: Sh’ma – What Do I Believe?; Lesson 9, My Jewish Identity, Hineni; Gemilut Chasadim, Lesson 1 Time for a Checkup; Lesson 7, Ometz Lev, Showing Courage (moral or physical), Lesson 8, N’divut, Generosity

8^th Grade will be divided into semesters as students study the Holocaust and World Religions.

HOLOCAUST

Objective:

I. Students will study the history of the Jews from the French Revolution to the present day.  This will include an in?depth study of the Holocaust, concluding with the founding of the State of Israel.

II. Students will confront the historical circumstances relating to the development of anti-Semitism, Hitler's accession to power, the Third Reich, Nazism, and the "Final Solution".

III. To this study of history are added the perspective of Jewish values and Jewish experience:  the situation of the Jews in Germany and Eastern Europe before, during, and after the war; ghetto life, revolt and resistance, testimony of survivors, and the questions which confront all humanity after Auschwitz.  Discussion topics include the totalitarian state; "following orders"; the role of international law, kiddush Hashem (martyrdom) and the issue of self?defense; the ransoming of captives; and the role of the community.

Texts:

History of the Holocaust Student Pack – Torah Aura

Teaching the Holocaust (Simone Schweber & Debbie Findling) (Teacher only)

WORLD RELIGIONS – Students study the world’s major religions through a Jewish lens as they recognize differences and similarities to Judaism.  Students will learn more about Judaism in the process and get an insight into how to respond to Christian Missionaries.

TEXT:  Apples and Oranges, Torah Aura

9^h Grade will be divided into semesters.

BIBLE – Students will learn how to navigate the TANACH while they study an overview of the Chumash.  An emphasis will be on the book of Bereshit (Genesis) and the concepts of themes within the Bible.  They will learn to see the Bible as a timeline of the Jewish people.

JEWISH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS – Students will begin to understand the connection of Jewish texts to their own lives and learn where to go for answers and who to turn to for guidance.  What makes the sources authentic and where does the authority come from?  Modern and relevant topics will be discussed in the context of what Jewish Law says, as students write their own responsa.

TEXT: Responsa and Referendums, URJ

10^th Grade is the year of confirmation.  Students study with the Rabbi and prepare for a service at the end of the year.  The class is focused on our identities as Reform Jews.  Students will study the history and ideology of Reform Judaism.  They will explore prayer and spirituality from a Reform perspective.  They will also spend a lot of time on the topic of the Reform Jewish imperative towards social justice culminating in our trip to Washington, DC to participate in the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s L’Taken Social Justice Seminar where we will lobby our members of Congress on the issues that affect us. The year ends with the Confirmation class leading the congregation in worship.

11^th and 12^th Grades offer a unique opportunity to students as they near the end of their high school experience.  This course is designed to help them feel comfortable with the transitions they will face in their lives as they leave home.  Topics covered will be:  Sex in the Texts; Conflict on Campus; Connecting Jewishly away from home; Jewish Law in our time.  There will also be a class trip to New York.

Electives for 8^th – 12^th Grades

Madrichim Preparation - 8^th Grade - Upon completion of the Madrichim course a teen student will be eligible to become an aide in the classroom, a Hebrew and/or Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor, a weekend camp counselor, and a library, art, dance, or music assistant.

Topics include: How to become a Jewish leader; How to teach in a Jewish setting

The sessions include lesson planning, teaching songs and games, teaching Hebrew reading and vocabulary and storytelling. In addition students will write and produce a teaching DVD. They will develop a strategy and lesson plan, write and film a DVD to be used in the classroom or in an informal education setting.

The Rabbi’s Study – Students will study primary texts at a deeper level.

Torah Art – each student will create a piece of art based on their Torah portion or other passage they choose.  Calligraphy and other art forms will be used.  There will also be a session with a sofer.

God Goes to Hollywood – Students will explore Jewish content in various films and television shows.  They will also get an overview on the influence Jews have had on the film industry and how Jews are influenced by the films and television shows we watch.

Creativity Calling all writers, artists, musicians, and general lovers of creativity.  Come create a lasting piece of art to be used for years to come by future teens.  We will collaboratively work to create a siddur to be used for all teen Shabbat services, religious school retreats, and other special events.  The course will include creation of artwork, creative interpretations, poetry and everything else we want to add

So You Think You Can Lead (2^nd Semester) – This exciting and new class is designed to make YOU into the leader you want to be.  We will cover public speaking, program writing, mixers, and a plethora of other topics.  Whether you want to take a leadership role in the Synagogue, your school, or your everyday life, this is the class for you.  If you plan to run for the BITY board this class is a required prerequisite.

Adjunct workshops that will be offered throughout the year:

College Opportunities; “The Jews, Chanukah and Chinese Food”; “Stressin’ and Studying”; “An Organic TuB’shevat”; Teen Film Fest; “T’filah and Tunes”; BITY special program night; “Laugh, Dance and Be Merry for Purim“