Kehillah High
9th 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 - 8:10 pm
9th graders will take all three of these classes by the end of the year.
OPTION 1:
Wait, That's in the Bible? – Rabbi Gideon Estes
Learn about the third section of the Tanakh, Ketuvim, or writings. This class will explore the great stories, poems, and teachings of this frequently overlooked section of the bible. We will look at stories of great love, loss, and wisdom to live with the complexities of life.
Wait, That's in the Bible? – Rabbi Gideon Estes
Learn about the third section of the Tanakh, Ketuvim, or writings. This class will explore the great stories, poems, and teachings of this frequently overlooked section of the bible. We will look at stories of great love, loss, and wisdom to live with the complexities of life.
OPTION 2:
Hearing Voices: How and Why Did God Speak to the Prophets – Cantor Kenneth Feibush
Were the prophets crazy or courageous when they told people they heard the voice of God? Sometimes, the prophets heard a voice, saw a vision, had a dream, or were possessed by spirits. This class will explore the roles of these messengers of God in the Torah and discuss whether there are modern-day “prophets.”
Hearing Voices: How and Why Did God Speak to the Prophets – Cantor Kenneth Feibush
Were the prophets crazy or courageous when they told people they heard the voice of God? Sometimes, the prophets heard a voice, saw a vision, had a dream, or were possessed by spirits. This class will explore the roles of these messengers of God in the Torah and discuss whether there are modern-day “prophets.”
OPTION 3:
Unlocking the Mysteries of the Torah – Rabbi Samuel Rheins
In this class, you will have a birds eye view into the weekly Torah portion. We will be looking at difficult passages, inspiring texts, and stories. Through study and delving into the wisdom of the great commentators, a new light will be cast on the stories essential to our identity. We will take a deep dive into the multifaceted layers of a different Torah portion every week, including an examination of biblical characters, themes, and commentaries.
Unlocking the Mysteries of the Torah – Rabbi Samuel Rheins
In this class, you will have a birds eye view into the weekly Torah portion. We will be looking at difficult passages, inspiring texts, and stories. Through study and delving into the wisdom of the great commentators, a new light will be cast on the stories essential to our identity. We will take a deep dive into the multifaceted layers of a different Torah portion every week, including an examination of biblical characters, themes, and commentaries.
Session B: 8:15 - 9:00 pm
Below are the 8th & 9th grade elective options.
Israel Up Close: Stories, People, and Connection – Aviv Ben Tovim
Join Aviv, our community shaliach, for an inside look at Israel you won’t find in textbooks. Through stories, games, and conversations, you’ll explore Israeli culture, daily life, and the big questions facing Israel today. Together we’ll discover how Israel’s history, people, and traditions connect to our lives as Jewish teens in Houston. Come prepared to share your thoughts, ask questions, and experience Israel from a completely new perspective.
Judaism & Pop Culture - Rabbi David Mendelson
If you love superheroes, Pixar movies, sci-fi/fantasy adventures, and more, this class explores how the films and TV shows we watch open the door to some of Judaism’s biggest ideas. Each week we’ll watch a short clip from Marvel and Star Wars to classic films and TV series. We will dive into themes like identity, responsibility, friendship, justice, teshuvah, empathy, and more. We will pair these moments with Jewish texts spanning thousands of years to see how Jewish wisdom shows up in modern storytelling. Expect engaging discussions and a fresh way to connect the stories shaping our world with the values that shape Jewish life.
Mah Jongg – Suzie Daum & Guests
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.
Chutzpah Girls - Sarah Williams
In Chutzpah Girls, students learn what it means to show healthy chutzpah—confidence, resilience, and using your voice for good. Through Jewish stories, interactive discussions, and hands-on art and digital media projects, students gain skills to support their mental health and personal identity as young Jewish leaders.
Values In Action - Lisa Stone
Judaism provides a unique lens with which to engage in community service, offering a strong foundation to apply both 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. Throughout this trimester, you will roll up your sleeves and implement those values. This trimester, you will pool your talents and work together on a wide variety of community service projects. We’ll be able to perform some projects on-site, while others will have us venture into the greater Houston community. By trimester’s end, we will have served many of our neighbors in need while representing ourselves as Jews and individuals who make a difference in the world.
Join Aviv, our community shaliach, for an inside look at Israel you won’t find in textbooks. Through stories, games, and conversations, you’ll explore Israeli culture, daily life, and the big questions facing Israel today. Together we’ll discover how Israel’s history, people, and traditions connect to our lives as Jewish teens in Houston. Come prepared to share your thoughts, ask questions, and experience Israel from a completely new perspective.
Judaism & Pop Culture - Rabbi David Mendelson
If you love superheroes, Pixar movies, sci-fi/fantasy adventures, and more, this class explores how the films and TV shows we watch open the door to some of Judaism’s biggest ideas. Each week we’ll watch a short clip from Marvel and Star Wars to classic films and TV series. We will dive into themes like identity, responsibility, friendship, justice, teshuvah, empathy, and more. We will pair these moments with Jewish texts spanning thousands of years to see how Jewish wisdom shows up in modern storytelling. Expect engaging discussions and a fresh way to connect the stories shaping our world with the values that shape Jewish life.
Mah Jongg – Suzie Daum & Guests
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.
Chutzpah Girls - Sarah Williams
In Chutzpah Girls, students learn what it means to show healthy chutzpah—confidence, resilience, and using your voice for good. Through Jewish stories, interactive discussions, and hands-on art and digital media projects, students gain skills to support their mental health and personal identity as young Jewish leaders.
Values In Action - Lisa Stone
Judaism provides a unique lens with which to engage in community service, offering a strong foundation to apply both 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. Throughout this trimester, you will roll up your sleeves and implement those values. This trimester, you will pool your talents and work together on a wide variety of community service projects. We’ll be able to perform some projects on-site, while others will have us venture into the greater Houston community. By trimester’s end, we will have served many of our neighbors in need while representing ourselves as Jews and individuals who make a difference in the world.