Kehillah High
8th Grade
2022-2023
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
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: 7:25 - 8:15 p.m.
Each student may choose one class in Session A. They will take all three classes by the end of the year.
OPTION 1:
The Big 10: An Adventure in Core Jewish Values – Daniel Smith
Who knows 10? We all know 10! They are the The Ten Commandments, of course! The super important 10 that were listed on the tablets and given to us at Sinai. But what makes these 10 so special? In The BIG 10, we will find that if we do just a little bit of digging beneath the surface, we can find important lessons to live by. Discover the Jewish values hidden in each of the commandments and explore how we can each use these values to guide our everyday behaviors, priorities, and decisions.
OPTION 2:
Words to Action: Empowering You to Address Anti-Semitism – Lisa Stone, Goldensohn Fellow at ADL
Would you know what to do if:
· You found swastikas on a door of your school?
· Someone gave you a “Heil Hitler” salute?
· Someone accused you of killing Jesus?
The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Words to Action is an interactive, nationally recognized program. It’s designed to empower and equip you with constructive responses to anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incidents by strengthening confidence and building knowledge. Words to Action gives greater awareness of these issues, motivates you to respond, and gives you skills and strategies to do so effectively. Together we will look at students’ experiences with anti-Semitism, and stereotyping at their schools and in their everyday lives. #BecauseEveryWordCounts
OPTION 3:
So You Want To Be A Mensch - Katelyn Bleiweiss
What is a mensch? How are our decisions and actions in daily life rooted in Jewish values? We’ll answer these questions as we use Jewish ethics and culture to explore traits of a mensch. Join us to create your own personal mensch code where you define the Jewish values that are meaningful and important to you.
The Big 10: An Adventure in Core Jewish Values – Daniel Smith
Who knows 10? We all know 10! They are the The Ten Commandments, of course! The super important 10 that were listed on the tablets and given to us at Sinai. But what makes these 10 so special? In The BIG 10, we will find that if we do just a little bit of digging beneath the surface, we can find important lessons to live by. Discover the Jewish values hidden in each of the commandments and explore how we can each use these values to guide our everyday behaviors, priorities, and decisions.
OPTION 2:
Words to Action: Empowering You to Address Anti-Semitism – Lisa Stone, Goldensohn Fellow at ADL
Would you know what to do if:
· You found swastikas on a door of your school?
· Someone gave you a “Heil Hitler” salute?
· Someone accused you of killing Jesus?
The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Words to Action is an interactive, nationally recognized program. It’s designed to empower and equip you with constructive responses to anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incidents by strengthening confidence and building knowledge. Words to Action gives greater awareness of these issues, motivates you to respond, and gives you skills and strategies to do so effectively. Together we will look at students’ experiences with anti-Semitism, and stereotyping at their schools and in their everyday lives. #BecauseEveryWordCounts
OPTION 3:
So You Want To Be A Mensch - Katelyn Bleiweiss
What is a mensch? How are our decisions and actions in daily life rooted in Jewish values? We’ll answer these questions as we use Jewish ethics and culture to explore traits of a mensch. Join us to create your own personal mensch code where you define the Jewish values that are meaningful and important to you.
Session B: 8:20-9:00 p.m.
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Who Knew-ish? They’re Jewish! - Sheryl Eskowitz
Do you know who these people are? The first Jew on the Supreme Court? The person who has a famous piece of clothing named after him? Who created the first classes for children with physical or mental disabilities? The person who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, Alabama? The first Jew to orbit the Earth in a spaceship? Join us to learn more about these Jewish Americans who have made a difference in our lives. |
God Created Them (singular): Male and Female - Rabbi Sarah Fort
Jewish text and tradition is way more dynamic when it comes to gender and sexuality than you may think. Explore the six genders in the Talmud, the same-sex romantic undertones in Prophets and Writings, and more. You’ve inherited a rich tradition to help inform your identity and worldview, just by being Jewish! Now come get it. |
The Science Behind the Stories - Becca Kronick
In this course, we will learn about the science within the Torah. What types of stones and rocks are referenced, locations and biomes discussed, plants, aquatic life, and creatures, and how that relates to the flora and fauna around us today. Students will discuss geology, botany, herpetology, entomology, and native plants of our region as well as from the middle east. |
Music: Where it takes you - Mike Mason
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! |
Spotify Israel – Brenda Namer & Daniel Smith
Come and build your Israeli playlist! Join us as we learn more about Israeli culture through popular music, including the greatest hits of the past and today! Israeli music runs from classical and folk to rock and hip hop, and we will explore it all. We will learn about songs that remind us of important moments in Israel’s history, as well as what songs are currently popular and what they tell us about what it means to be Israeli today. |
What’s Jewish About Meditation? – David Scott, RJE
Ever wanted to learn how to meditate? Join David Scott in exploring ancient and modern meditative techniques as we deepen our understanding of Jewish thought and practice. No prior experience is necessary with how to meditate. You will need an open mind and a desire to learn. Sessions will include both theory and practical application of how to meditate. |
Values in Action – Lisa Stone
Judaism provides a unique lens through which to engage in community service, offering a strong foundation to apply traditional values and nuanced teachings in a relevant way to the world around us. As students, you have spent hours of classroom time studying values such as chesed, tzedakah, and tikkun olam. In this class, you will have the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and implement those values. Let’s pool our talents and work together on a wide variety of community service projects serving our Greater Houston community! |
Food for the Soul – Sarah Yonas
The history of the Jewish people has been filled with migration. However, we did bring our own traditional foods when we traveled. Our new homes and political and social influences heavily shaped our Jewish food customs. This class will examine the connections between Jewish food, the lands where we settled, and how we connected with the people living there. We will look at Jewish migration, food, and the complex rules, laws, practices, and procedures that regulate what can be eaten, how, when, and with whom. Come with an appetite to learn! *food will be provided sometimes, but not every week. |
