Kehillah High
12th Grade
2022-2023
Wednesday evenings:
7:00 - 7:25 p.m. Dinner
7:25 - 8:15 p.m. Session A
8:15 - 8:20 p.m. Break
8:20 - 9:00 p.m. Session B
7:25 - 8:15 p.m. Session A
8:15 - 8:20 p.m. Break
8:20 - 9:00 p.m. Session B
Session A: 7:25-8:15 p.m.
Trimester 1:
Jew U - Dolph Simon
Students will begin to explore what it means to be Jewish in college and beyond. How might being Jewish on campus affect our social lives, our spiritual lives, and even our courses of study? We will discuss issues including continuing our Jewish education, advocating for Israel on campus, coping with antisemitism, taking on leadership roles, and navigating the many organizations on college campuses devoted to connecting us to our Judaism. In addition, the senior seminar will teach students some essential adulthood skills, such as how to deal with a road emergency, how to cook for oneself, how to use basic household tools, how to be responsible with social media and how to live within one's financial means.
Jew U - Dolph Simon
Students will begin to explore what it means to be Jewish in college and beyond. How might being Jewish on campus affect our social lives, our spiritual lives, and even our courses of study? We will discuss issues including continuing our Jewish education, advocating for Israel on campus, coping with antisemitism, taking on leadership roles, and navigating the many organizations on college campuses devoted to connecting us to our Judaism. In addition, the senior seminar will teach students some essential adulthood skills, such as how to deal with a road emergency, how to cook for oneself, how to use basic household tools, how to be responsible with social media and how to live within one's financial means.
Trimester 2:
Preparing for Life on Campus: The Complexities of Jewish Identity and Israel - Michael Duke
There is a concerted effort on college campuses today to delegitimize and demonize Israel. This class will discuss the methods used by those who seek to destroy the Jewish State, and how we can respond to their tactics with facts and logic. We will also discuss the difference between legitimate criticism of Israel and the unacceptable campaign against Israel by those who would deny its right to exist.
Preparing for Life on Campus: The Complexities of Jewish Identity and Israel - Michael Duke
There is a concerted effort on college campuses today to delegitimize and demonize Israel. This class will discuss the methods used by those who seek to destroy the Jewish State, and how we can respond to their tactics with facts and logic. We will also discuss the difference between legitimate criticism of Israel and the unacceptable campaign against Israel by those who would deny its right to exist.
Session A & B
Trimester 3:
Senior Seminar - Rabbi David Lyon, Rabbi Brian Strauss & Rabbi Ranon Teller
College is a place where one’s values and priorities are frequently challenged. Some non-Jews may challenge your Jewishness. Some Jews will challenge the kind of Jew you are. Some students will attack your support of Israel. Some people will question how you can be so liberal or how you can be so conservative. We will look at some of the biggest challenges you’ll hear from other students and talk about when and how to respond. (Sessions A & B)
Trimester 3:
Senior Seminar - Rabbi David Lyon, Rabbi Brian Strauss & Rabbi Ranon Teller
College is a place where one’s values and priorities are frequently challenged. Some non-Jews may challenge your Jewishness. Some Jews will challenge the kind of Jew you are. Some students will attack your support of Israel. Some people will question how you can be so liberal or how you can be so conservative. We will look at some of the biggest challenges you’ll hear from other students and talk about when and how to respond. (Sessions A & B)
Session B: 8:20-9:00 p.m.
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The Israeli Army: More than Physical Strength – Shoshi Leshem
Israelis are strong in lots of ways. We built a vibrant country that leads the world in many areas in less than 75 years, and we did it with more than just our physical strength. In this class, we will delve into a variety of emotions and human characteristics including happiness, anger, and sadness. Learn all about my time in the army, some key characteristics of Israeli life, and how you can become stronger here in Houston with our brand-new community shlicha, Shoshi Leshem. |
Music: Where it takes you - Mike Mason (open for 8th-12th grades)
Jewish music has the power to bring people together in a way that is very hard to match. We’ll talk about our favorite Jewish music from camp and synagogue and we’ll explore what it means, why it’s meaningful to us, and how we can share it. Bring your instruments and be ready to play! No songleading experience necessary! |
The Ugly Truth: X-Rated Bible Stories – David Scott
These are the stories from Jewish holidays and the Bible that you were too young to hear about in Sunday school. What do we do when we encounter R-rated material in Jewish life that challenges our modern values? These difficult texts about sex, violence, manipulation and revenge will raise some challenging conversations while helping participants come to a deeper and more sophisticated understanding of Jewish history and Jewish values. |
Unpacking bias and fear – Lisa Stone
We all have biases—that’s normal. We may forget how those can lead to fearing and hating people we think are different from us. Even in our Jewish community, we may be uncomfortable with Jews of Color, LGBTQ Jews, Jews from other countries, elderly Jews, etc. Racism, antisemitism, anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and more are colliding in our communities these days. Let’s figure out how to help ourselves and others unpack and shift stereotypes so we can be better allies and friends to people in marginalized groups. |
Jews and Hollywood- Dr. Stephan Wexler
Carl Laemmle (Universal Pictures), Adolph Zukor (Paramount Pictures), William Fox (Fox), Louis B. Mayer (MGM), Warner Brothers. How did a group of Immigrant Jews create the Hollywood system at the beginning of the 20th Century? We will explore the lives of the original great Jewish filmmakers, studio heads and theater owners. We will also look at the Hollywood Blacklist of the 50s and its effect on Jews working in Hollywood. Dr. Wexler is a film aficionado and will inspire you with his stories about the early Hollywood era. |
Modern Anti-Semetism – Alyssa Weinstein-Sears
In Modern-Day Anti-semitism, we will talk about contemporary antisemitism in the news, on social media, and in every day conversation. Why is it happening? How do we stand up? |
That’s Sew Jewish – Sarah Yonas
Embroidery has long been a part of Jewish art. From intricate Torah covers and Tallis bags to challah covers and mizrahim, we have always enjoyed needlework. This class will combine learning embroidery and discussions over current Jewish news. Wanna know what Jewish twitter is discussing while creating beautiful pieces of art? Excited to make art and engage in meaningful Jewish discussions? Join us for a great trimester! |
