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.
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.
Tools for Navigating Antisemitism & Hate – Lisa Stone
What do you say when someone makes an antisemitic comment? When Israel comes up in conversation, do you speak up, or feel unsure what to say?
In this elective, you’ll learn research-based strategies for responding effectively to antisemitism and anti-Zionism in real-life situations, on social media, at school, and beyond. This class builds on the 8th-grade Words to Action course but goes deeper, giving you new tools to communicate clearly, confidently, and thoughtfully.
You’ll practice what works (and what doesn’t), explore real scenarios, and strengthen your ability to navigate tough conversations without getting heated.
From Torah to Today: Teens Making Change – Barrie Skalsky
In this elective, we'll explore the weekly Torah portion (Parsha) through the lens of Jewish values and real-world impact. You will unpack each Parsha’s themes, engage in small-group discussion, and connect ideas to meaningful activities that help make Torah come alive in your lives and communities.
Modern Jewish Heroes: Creators, Leaders & Game-Changers – Murray Adelstein
An exciting interactive course that explores the impact of Jewish entertainers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs who are shaping today’s world. From Hollywood and hit music to championship arenas, groundbreaking startups, and social activism, students will discover how Jewish identity, values, and resilience influence modern success stories. Through interactive games, debates, media clips, and creative projects, teens will examine themes like leadership, innovation, perseverance, and tikkun olam—while deciding what truly makes someone a “hero” in our generation. The course challenges students not only to learn about inspiring figures, but to see themselves as the next generation of Jewish difference-makers
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.
Tools for Navigating Antisemitism & Hate – Lisa Stone
What do you say when someone makes an antisemitic comment? When Israel comes up in conversation, do you speak up, or feel unsure what to say?
In this elective, you’ll learn research-based strategies for responding effectively to antisemitism and anti-Zionism in real-life situations, on social media, at school, and beyond. This class builds on the 8th-grade Words to Action course but goes deeper, giving you new tools to communicate clearly, confidently, and thoughtfully.
You’ll practice what works (and what doesn’t), explore real scenarios, and strengthen your ability to navigate tough conversations without getting heated.
From Torah to Today: Teens Making Change – Barrie Skalsky
In this elective, we'll explore the weekly Torah portion (Parsha) through the lens of Jewish values and real-world impact. You will unpack each Parsha’s themes, engage in small-group discussion, and connect ideas to meaningful activities that help make Torah come alive in your lives and communities.
Modern Jewish Heroes: Creators, Leaders & Game-Changers – Murray Adelstein
An exciting interactive course that explores the impact of Jewish entertainers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs who are shaping today’s world. From Hollywood and hit music to championship arenas, groundbreaking startups, and social activism, students will discover how Jewish identity, values, and resilience influence modern success stories. Through interactive games, debates, media clips, and creative projects, teens will examine themes like leadership, innovation, perseverance, and tikkun olam—while deciding what truly makes someone a “hero” in our generation. The course challenges students not only to learn about inspiring figures, but to see themselves as the next generation of Jewish difference-makers