Hebrew High Classes
Hebrew High classes are offered Tuesday nights at the Ina Levine JCC, from 7pm-9pm during the school year. Students enroll for the full year and receive 2 classes per session. Snacks are provided during break when students have a chance to socialize and see their friends.
Hebrew for Credit classes run Thursdays 7-8:30pm as well.
First Hour: Grade Level Seminar (predetermined topic) OR Hebrew for Credit
Second Hour: Student-selected Elective (offered either quarterly or semester long)
Special Programs
Rosh Hodesh (new month) celebrations are held each month and give our students a chance to step back and prepare for the month ahead with intention and connection. Special holiday programming is offered throughout the year and is planned and organized by our Teen Leadership Council. After winter break, the spring semester kicks off with our Mini-Series, a 2-week communal learning experience which aims to strengthen community while deepening exploration in relevant topics and issues. Past Mini-Series include Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof/Justice Justice You Shall Pursue (2024), Me & We; Empowered Identity, Collaborative Community (2023) // Teen Wellness Summit; Shmirat HaNefesh, Shmirat HaGuf (2022).
2024 FALL SEMINARS & ELECTIVES
Seminar courses are first-hour classes grouped by grade level, available to those not in Hebrew for Credit.
Electives are the second hour.
JEW ARE YOU? NAVIGATING JEWISH IDENTITY
9TH GRADE SEMINAR
with Laili Schnitzer
Question, discuss, and discover what it means to YOU to be a Jew in today’s world while exploring various perspectives and build community!
Eretz yisrael: Holy Land?
2nd Quarter ELECTIVE
with Chaim Zimmerman
What really makes a place holy? Is it the land itself, the history, or something more? Through sacred texts and discussion, we’ll explore how ancient ideas of holiness connect to the land and challeng ourown views. Is holiness about the land, the people, or something bigger?
Politics in the Middle East
2nd Quarter ELECTIVE
with Steve Glassman
In a region dominated by monarchies and authoritarian regimes, Israel stands as the only democracy. Explore how Israel navigates the complex web of regional powers and how these dynamics shape today’s conflicts. From Iran to Saudi Arabia, we’ll dive into how these forces impact Israel’s security and the ongoing struggle for peace,
ENGAGING ISRAEL’S HISTORY
10TH GRADE SEMINAR
with Steve Glassman
How does a dream become reality? Explore the journey of dreamers and doers, who fought for the right for the Jewish homeland to be reborn; the good, the bad and hope.
IDF: Bootcamp & Basics
2nd Quarter ELECTIVE
with Sgt. Sephora Weiss
Engage body and mind! Experience bootcamp basics of what it takes for soldiers to serve in the IDF while learning the history, branches and stories of what it means to protect and defend the Land of Israel.
Life & Culture In ISrael
2nd Quarter ELECTIVE
with Rafi Abramowitz
Take a tiyyul through the land of Israel and learn what makes this country so special, interesting and extraordinary! From peoplehood to the food, arts and culture, this tiny country is packed full of life, history and hope for the future.
EMPOWERED THROUGH CONFLICT
11TH & 12TH GRADE SEMINAR
with Andre Ivory
From the conflicts in our personal lives to the ones in the Middle East, this course will provide context, insights and discussions on some of life’s biggest challenges.
Temple Chai 10th Grade Confirmation
YEARLONG ELECTIVE
with Temple Chai Clergy
The 10th graders of Temple Chai will meet with Clergy and educators to explore what Judaism means to them as they navigate through high school and prepare to be young Jewish adults. The class will culminate in a student-led Confirmation ceremony in May at Temple Chai.
Past Mini-Series
To welcome students back from Winter Break, Hebrew High launches the spring semester through two weeks of community mini-series.
In place of regular classes, students, teachers, and guest facilitators gather to explore selected topics in depth, creating shared experiences while strengthening our sense of identity and community.
2024 SPRING
Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof: Justice Justice You Shall Pursue
Every year, spring semester kicks off with specialized community learning and experiences centered around a topic.
This year we will be welcoming Jews for Justice along with other social justice initiatives to learn about the Torah's call for seeking justice while getting our hands busy making an impact for those in need.
ME & WE 2023
NIGHT 1: If I’m not for myself, who will be for me?
Featured Guests: Shemesh Director Erin Wynn, Hebrew High Faculty
What makes you, YOU? Tonight, students will discover what makes their identity unique while uncovering the boundaries of their personal values and beliefs. This evening will touch on matters of self-confidence, empowered identity, and b’etzelem Elohim, being made in God’s image.
NIGHT 2: If I’m only for myself, what am I?
Featured Guests: Yosef Funke, Fresh Biz Facilitator & Collaboration Coach
What does it mean to be a community? How do we really build together? Tonight’s special event will challenge our teens (and teachers) to see how we can be more collaborative not just in our community, but in our nature. This evening was so impactful - you can read out it in the Jewish News!
TEEN WELLNESS SUMMIT 2022
NIGHT 1: Shmirat HaNefesh, Shmirat HaGuf (BODY & MIND WELLNESS)
Featured Guests: JCC Fitness & Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks
What is our relationship to wellness? How do we handle stress or anxiety? And what does our tradition say about caring for our mental and physical health? Students will be able to participate in small group discussions with text study, and select 2 of 3 wellness tracks: Fitness, Jewish Meditation, and Torah Toolbox of Wellness.
Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks is a Jewish spiritual teacher and musician. He has been teaching the practice of Presence (meditation, mindfulness) and Judaism since 2006, and founded Torah of Awakening in 2016. He is the author of Kabbalah for Beginners, published by Rockridge Press, and Integral Jewish Meditation – Three Portals of Presence for Spiritual Awakening.
Learn More about Reb Brian
NIGHT 2: Shomrei Adamah (Israel & Global Wellness)
Featured Guests: StandWithUs
With this mini-series coming the day after Tu Bishvat (the birthday of the trees!), this is a perfect opportunity to explore how Israel’s brilliant innovation has not only pioneered efforts in agriculture, but has contributed to major issues world-wide. Students will be put to the test to help solve real life global issues while having a chance to explore various fun facts about Israel in an engaging session led by Stand With Us. The second half of the evening will feature planter pot decorating and planting succulents to take home.
Teens will learn about the various Israel programs available and various grant opportunities.
StandWithUs is an international and non-partisan Israel education organization that inspires and educates people of all ages and backgrounds, challenges misinformation and fights antisemitism. StandWithUs empowers and energizes students and communities with leadership training and educational programs on hundreds of college campuses, high schools, and middle schools. READ MORE