IN THE SPOTLIGHT

HEBREW HIGH: HELPING TEENS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The fall session of Hebrew High for students in grades nine through 12 will start on Oct. 27, and it will be the second session for Rabbi Aviva Shira Funke as principal.

Aviva grew up in the Valley and attended Hebrew High herself. “I have known Myra (Shindler) my whole life,” she says. Myra is the executive director and former principal of Hebrew High. “I did one of the Camp Ramah programs in Israel during 11th grade. Because of the Hebrew learning that I was able to attain at Hebrew High, I was really set up to have a successful time in Israel.”

TEENS FIND COMMUNITY, ‘SENSE OF NORMALCY’ AT HEBREW HIGH

Edie Gobel, 14, doesn’t mind the occasional long trek to Martin Pear Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale from her home in Chandler. At its end is something that puts a smile on her face: the Bureau of Jewish Education’s Hebrew High class.

Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Hebrew High offers Hebrew language classes for credit as well as classes designed to develop students’ Jewish identities. The second quarter, which begins at the end of October, will offer several classes including “History of Anti-Semitism” and “Tough Conversations: Social Justice.” There will continue to be both in-person and virtual options.