Kehillah High
8th Grade
Wednesday evenings:
7:00 - 7:25 pm Dinner
7:25 - 8:10 pm Session A
8:10 - 8:15 pm Break
8:15 - 9:00 pm Session B
7:25 - 8:10 pm Session A
8:10 - 8:15 pm Break
8:15 - 9:00 pm Session B
Session A: 7:25 - 8:15 pm
8th graders will take all three classes by the end of the year.
OPTION 1:
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 the 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.
OPTION 2:
Words to Action: Empowering You to Address Anti-Semitism – Lisa Stone
Would you know what to do if:
OPTION 3:
Destroying Demons: Moral Courage in the Talmud - Rabbi David Mendelson
The Talmud is filled with dramatic demon stories from Ashmedai the Demon King to a seven-headed monster in a beit midrash. Through close study of these texts, we’ll explore how battling destructive forces builds humility, courage, and inner strength.
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 the 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.
OPTION 2:
Words to Action: Empowering You to Address Anti-Semitism – Lisa Stone
Would you know what to do if:
- You found swastikas on the door of your school?
- Someone gave you a “Heil Hitler” salute
- Someone accused you of killing Jesus?
OPTION 3:
Destroying Demons: Moral Courage in the Talmud - Rabbi David Mendelson
The Talmud is filled with dramatic demon stories from Ashmedai the Demon King to a seven-headed monster in a beit midrash. Through close study of these texts, we’ll explore how battling destructive forces builds humility, courage, and inner strength.
Session B: 8:15-9:00 pm
Below are the 8th & 9th grade elective options.
Mahjong – Suzie Daum
Dive into the captivating world of Mah Jongg, a Chinese tile game that has found a unique and enduring place within American Jewish culture. Led by experienced instructor Suzie Daum, this class goes beyond the basics, offering teens the chance to master tile recognition, strategic thinking, and the nuanced rules of the game. Explore the unexpected connection between Mah Jongg and Jewish tradition while learning the game.
Unbreakable: Resilience Skills to Navigate Antisemitism, Build Confidence, and Stand Through Hard Times – Rabbi Dovid Goldtsein
Unbreakable is a transformative three-lesson course that equips Jewish youth with essential resilience skills to deal with the mental health impact of antisemitism.
Each lesson in Unbreakable is grounded in evidence-based resilience tools derived from cognitive behavioral therapy, enabling students to develop practical strategies for maintaining Jewish pride and confidence in the face of adversity. reaffirming their identity and values in a world that may challenge them. By the end of the course, participants will emerge with a robust toolkit for resilience, ready to create positive change within themselves and their communities.
This course is made possible through the generous support of The World Zionist Organization, reflecting a commitment to nurturing the mental health, resilience, and well-being of youth.
Israel Through Humor – Aviv Ben Tovim
Life is funny, and sometimes humor helps us understand serious things in a deeper way.
In this elective, we’ll explore Israeli culture through comedy. Each week, we’ll:
If you like laughing, thinking, and seeing Israel beyond the headlines, this class is for you.
Dive into the captivating world of Mah Jongg, a Chinese tile game that has found a unique and enduring place within American Jewish culture. Led by experienced instructor Suzie Daum, this class goes beyond the basics, offering teens the chance to master tile recognition, strategic thinking, and the nuanced rules of the game. Explore the unexpected connection between Mah Jongg and Jewish tradition while learning the game.
Unbreakable: Resilience Skills to Navigate Antisemitism, Build Confidence, and Stand Through Hard Times – Rabbi Dovid Goldtsein
Unbreakable is a transformative three-lesson course that equips Jewish youth with essential resilience skills to deal with the mental health impact of antisemitism.
Each lesson in Unbreakable is grounded in evidence-based resilience tools derived from cognitive behavioral therapy, enabling students to develop practical strategies for maintaining Jewish pride and confidence in the face of adversity. reaffirming their identity and values in a world that may challenge them. By the end of the course, participants will emerge with a robust toolkit for resilience, ready to create positive change within themselves and their communities.
This course is made possible through the generous support of The World Zionist Organization, reflecting a commitment to nurturing the mental health, resilience, and well-being of youth.
Israel Through Humor – Aviv Ben Tovim
Life is funny, and sometimes humor helps us understand serious things in a deeper way.
In this elective, we’ll explore Israeli culture through comedy. Each week, we’ll:
- Watch short, funny clips from Israeli comedians and shows
- Break down what makes them funny
- Discover what the jokes reveal about Israeli society, identity, and everyday life
If you like laughing, thinking, and seeing Israel beyond the headlines, this class is for you.