KEHILLAH HIGH
GRADE 10
2021-2022

​​Wednesday evenings: 

7:00 - 7:25 p.m.         Dinner
7:30 - 8:15 p.m.         Session A
8:15 - 8:20 p.m.         Break
8:20 - 9:00 p.m.         Session B​

​​​Session A:  7:30-8:15 p.m.

Reform Track

Modern Jewish Thought
10th Grade
​Rabbi David Lyon

Your confirmation year begins by exploring modern Jewish thinkers and their thoughts about God. We will spend time over the next six weeks discussing what it means to confirm your Jewish beliefs, and how the theologies of Martin Buber, Eugene Borowitz, and Milton Steinberg can enhance your own Jewish understanding. Our central text will be my book, God of Me: Imagining God throughout Your Lifetime (Jewish Lights Publishing, 2011). Rabbi Lyon looks forward to welcoming  you to your Confirmation year!
​What Does it Mean To Be A Reform Jew?
10th Grade
Rabbi Adrienne Scott 
​
As you continue your Confirmation year, the question of what you are confirming will be present throughout our sessions together. What does it mean to confirm something? By exploring the goals of the Reform Movement when it was founded nearly two hundred years ago, we will come to discover much about contemporary Reform Judaism today. We will explore both where it was and where it is headed. Rabbi Scott looks forward to helping you answer the question – what does it mean for you to be a Reform Jew?
​Creating Your Own Confirmation Experience 
10th Grade
Rabbi Adrienne Scott
​David Scott
​ 
As your Confirmation year comes to a close, we will turn our thoughts toward the Confirmation ceremony itself. Each of you will contribute your talents, personalities, and creativity toward creating your own Confirmation experience. Cantor Trompeter will serve as your guide as you explore what you are confirming and how you can demonstrate this at Congregation Beth Israel.

Conservative Track

Inside Conservative Judaism
10th Grade
Cantor Mark Levine  

Students will explore the history, theology and practicality of living as a Conservative Jew. They will be challenged to consider integrating new information and new lenses into their religious views and to create belief statements which reflect their Jewish understandings at this life stage. 
Drawing Contemporary Wisdom from the Sources
10th Grade
Rabbi Ranon Teller  

​Students will explore powerful narratives from the bible to the sages through the Hasidic masters. They will be challenged to apply the values and wisdom of our tradition to the issues we face in the present.
Social Issues through a Conservative Jewish Lens  
10th Grade
Rabbi Sarah Fort 
Rabbi Brian Strauss

What does Conservative Judaism have to say about issues that you will confront as a young adult? Do we have something unique to say? You will be surprised by just how relevant our ancient texts can be in our postmodern world.

​​Session B: 8:20-9:00 p.m.

Monsters, Magic, and Mythical Creatures in Jewish Texts – Olga Lara

Witches, demons, necromancers, and goblins are significant characters in our sacred texts. Creatures from the deep and from our wildest imaginations inhabit Jewish lore. Spend time exploring these fantastic beings and discussing their significance in our tradition. Why do they exist? What is their purpose? Among the characters to be studied are the Witch of Endor, Dybbuk, Golem, and the Prince of Demons.
Sex and Relationships - JR

What does Judaism say about sex and relationships? Students will develop a better understanding of healthy relationships, sexual health, boundaries, consent, and communication through a Jewish lens. Jessica (they/them) has been teaching about sexual health and relationships for the last 7 years. And they are super excited to get to work with Kehillah High students for the first time this trimester!
Midrash (Torah Version) – Rabbi Kenny Weiss

Midrash responds to contemporary problems and crafts new stories, making connections between our lives and the unchanging biblical text. Fall down the rabbit hole with us as we learn stories straight from the vault. It's more than a rabbinic interpretation of the Bible. It's reading between the lines to draw connections, understand the laws, and make sense of the Rabbis' world. You will learn all too well what Rabbis had to say about the stories in the Torah. Dropping exclusively at Kehillah High, starting Wednesday, January 5.
Jews in Comedy - Dr. Stephan Wexler

The Marx Brothers, Woody Allen, Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Judd Apatow… The list of famous, funny Jews goes on and on. But why are so many Jews so funny? Is it a coping mechanism for the depressing lives left in Europe, or a survival tactic? Today, the story of Jewish humor is the story of American humor. But “Jewish” humor started thousands of years ago. We will discuss Jewish humor in authors, screenwriters, stand-up and television.
#FreeBritney and Beyond: The Jewish Response to Disability – Sarah Yonas
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Disability is part of being human. Almost everyone will experience disability at some point in their lifetimes. Judaism offers a lot of guidance on how to deal with disability, including changing attitudes, inaccessible transportation, and buildings, and increasing social support. Learn what is currently happening in the Jewish, disabled world and how we can become not only allies but accomplices.