Kitah Het (Eighth Grade)
Fall and Spring Semesters-Sundays- The Gesher Program
11:00-11:30 Tfillot with parents
11:30-11:45 Bagels and Brachot
11:45-1:00 Classes and Special Programs
We are thrilled to be able to offer an experiential educational program for our middle school aged students at Machon High School. Sunday mornings our Kitah Het combines with our Zayin class from the religious school to incorporate a learning of Jewish text with hands on experience of the meaning of this text. This year our themes will range from Tfilla to the early life cycle events, Shabbat, Kashrut and Israel. The back of this handbook has more detailed information about the Gesher program.
Fall Semester – Mondays
Eich Omrim? HOW DO I SAY THAT?
What are common Hebrew phrases for getting around town?
How do you order food in a restaurant?
What would you say if you met an Israeli teen on the street?
Using the SHLAV books, our students will continue their Hebrew education, with an emphasis on conversational Hebrew.
Spring Semester-Mondays
Eich Omrim? HOW DO I SAY THAT?
Did you write a letter to your pen-pal?
Can you find your way around a Hebrew website?
Continuing in the SHLAV books, our students will expand their Hebrew education, with an emphasis on conversational Hebrew.
Kitah Tet (Ninth Grade)
Fall Semester - Sundays
SHA’AR L’MATKHIL
What do the Israeli papers report on life in Israel?
Review your conversational Hebrew
Do a weekly Hebrew crossword puzzle
Mondays
EXPLORING THE FIVE MEGGILOT
Ruth: Orphans, Converts and widows. How does Judaism treat the ‘other’ in society?
Ecclesiastes: The meaning of life according to one Jew
Song of Songs: Jewish relationships, Jewish sexuality
Lamentations: Jewish crime and punishment – is God just?
Spring Semester - Sundays
SHA’AR L’MATKHIL
Can you read a recipe in Hebrew?
Review your conversational Hebrew
Check out the comics!
Mondays
DEREKH ERETZ IS THE WAY!
How do people treat you?
How are we supposed to behave towards other?
How does this impact the world we live in?
Find out the ‘way’ of living in this text based class on Derekh Eretz!
Kitah Yod (Tenth Grade)
Fall Semester - Sundays
IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
What does it mean to be created in God’s image?
Body piercing, tattooing, cursing, drugs and alcohol, and the Jewish tradition
How do you treat yourself and others?
Mondays
JEWISH SCI-FI
Is there meaning to the world we live in?
Are our lives predestined?
What will happen at the end of days?
Join Rabbi Lucas and Gila for some stimulating discussions on the meaning of life, brought to you through select sci-fi videos.
Spring Semester - Sundays
CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM
What does Conservative Judaism mean to you, what did it mean to your parents and what will it mean to your children?
The top ten principles of being a Conservative Jew
Who are the people in this movement? What organization do they respect?
Mondays
TAKE A WALK ON THE SPIRITUAL SIDE WITH CANTOR BARNOY
On the road to confirmation we will take this chance to explore spiritual language and issues through the tfilla of confirmation. This session will provide a special opportunity to reconnect with the Cantor and examine critical questions about our spiritual life.
Kitah Yod Alef (Eleventh Grade)
Fall Semester
ISRAEL IS REAL
Is Israel your homeland?
Are there American Jews who are Zionists?
How can we get involved in Israel affairs?
Spring Semester
GOD TALK – VISIONS OF HOLINESS
What are our different beliefs in God?
How can God let bad things happen to good people?
What meaning do we find in prayer?
What difference does God make in our personal lives?
Kitah Yod Bet (Twelfth Grade)
Fall and Spring
Mitzvah Mobile
We are very proud of our senior class program, which consists of a student driven curriculum that is based on Tikkun Olam projects.
Our students are asked to think about Tikkun Olam they would like to engage on for the year. Together with their teacher they develop study guides to accompany their projects, relying in particular on the material from the book, ‘Tzorchei Tzibbur’.
In the past these projects have included work at a shelter for victims of domestic violence, visits with homebound members of TBS and hospital visits.
Machon High School ELECTIVES
Please note: The following elective topics are a sample of some of the electives that have been offered at Machon High School and do not necessarily correlate to the electives that will be given in a particular semester. Stay tuned for the electives that will be sent out in a separate mailing for more details.
Can It Happen Again?
Understanding the Shoah within it historical, social and economic constructs. What does it mean when we say ‘remember and do not forget!’? Is it possible for such a tragedy against the Jews to happen again?
If I Forget Thee Jerusalem….
Life in Israel has never been more difficult, more stressful, or more demanding. How do we, as American Jews, continue to support Israel? We will increase our awareness of the Crisis in Israel and creatively respond to the situation there.
Bring Jewish Activism to TBS
Being a Jewish activist is about projects that create meaning in your life, and help transform our world. The ultimate experience of activism is helping others become activists, creating opportunities for everyone to do Tikkun Olam.
What’s Your Favorite Recipe?
Taste your way through Jewish tradition. Learn about the different cultures that Jewish communities come from. Study the laws of keeping Kosher, while experimenting with culinary delights. This course is only open to new students in the 9th and 10th grades.
The Big Book of Jewish Humor
How does humor reflect the Jewish experience through the ages? Trace how jokes told in Europe evolved as the Nazis came to power, see the immigrant experience to the Lower East side shared by stand up comedians. What do jokes today tell of our modern Jewish experience in America?
Me and My Jewish Family
What does your Jewish family look like? Where did you come from, where has your family migrated? What constitutes family? Are there special Jewish laws about our family?
Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul
Popular Jewish stories that guide us through difficult moments and troubling questions. Read other inspirational stories by Jews, then create your own inspirational material for Machon High School and the Temple Beth Sholom community.
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