J Line. The Jewish knowledge center for teens

Transcription

1 J Line The Jewish knowledge center for teens Program Guide

2 2 J Line gives you choice, diversity and depth in your Jewish learning experiences J Line proudly welcomes a wide variety of perspectives and identities to our programs WHO }}} Greater Pittsburgh teens in grades 8-12, regardless of affiliation or background WHAT }}} Classes and programs from Hebrew, current events and Israel to volunteer activities, leadership training and more WHEN }}} Sunday mornings and beyond! See full calendar at JCCPGH.org/jline WHERE }}} Second Floor, JCC Robinson Building 5738 Darlington Road, Squirrel Hill HOW }}} Pick and choose as many classes and programs as you d like. Create your own schedule! Choose Your Journey

3 3 Dear Teen, I am so excited to be part of the JCC team and to have a chance to meet you! I hope you ll drop by The Second Floor any time for coffee and a snack, and that you ll join us on Sunday mornings for another great year of teen programming. We have a lot of exciting opportunities coming up this year at J Line, our Jewish learning center, with both brand-new learning experiences and old favorites. Take a look at the information in this guide, decide what interests you, and register for any combination of classes and programs you want! All of us on the J Line team look forward to seeing you at Opening Day on Sunday September 10, and to sharing another fun and meaningful year of Jewish learning with you. Hannah Kalson, Director of Teen Engagement and Experiences hkalson@jccpgh.org sunday morning schedule 9:00-9:55 am Modern Hebrew Jewish Experiences 9:55-10:20 am Breakfast B yachad 10:20-11:15 am Modern Hebrew Jewish Experiences 11:20 am-12:15 pm Chugim New choices every week Fall classes begin September 10 Winter classes begin November 12 Spring classes begin February 4 See full J Line calendar on page 11 Financial Assistance Need-based financial assistance applications must be received at least one week before trimester start dates (September 1 for the Fall, November 3 for the Winter, January 26 for the Spring). Please contact Jessica Mazzoni at jmazzoni@jccpgh.org for an application. Our Hebrew Program Hebrew at J Line blends online, classroom-based and one-onone learning in a rigorous but welcoming setting. Schedule Sunday mornings 9:00 11:15 am (Breakfast B yachad from 9:55 10:20 am) Wednesday evenings 6:30 7:30 pm Program Hebrew students are expected to attend all 3 hours a week. New Hebrew students are placed in the appropriate class level, from 1 to 4, after taking a placement test at the beginning of the year. Hebrew students enjoy fun online games with their NETA login (can be played at school or at home), immersive classroom conversation and learning, and one-on-one time with our Hebrew coordinator throughout the year. Take Hebrew for high school credit with Pittsburgh Public Schools! $801 per year Can be paid in 3 installments of $267 each. For more information, please contact Hebrew Coordinator Ronit Pasternak rpasternak@jccpgh.org For registration details, see page 11.

4 4 Sunday mornings at the JCC: Class Descriptions Fall:September 10, 17; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5 9-9:55 AM Modern Hebrew The Six-Day War: Fifty Years Later Fifty years ago, in June of 1967, Israel was at war with Egypt, Jordan, and Syria for six days. What happened during those six days? What was the outcome of the war? What were its origins? Learn about one of the major turning points in Israel s history, during its 50th anniversary year, with veteran J Line teacher Barak Naveh. Barak Naveh City of Bridges: Refugees, Immigrants, and Yinzers With all of the political banter about immigrants and refugees being allowed into America or being kept out, where does Pittsburgh stand on the issue? We will explore the role immigrants and refugees have played and continue to play in our city of bridges while reflecting on the Jewish values that might clarify the tension between being welcoming and protecting ourselves. Our guest speakers will include immigrants and refugees along with those who have helped them settle in Pittsburgh. Rabbi Ron Symons 9:55-10:20 AM Breakfast B yachad (eat and schmooze) 10:20-11:15 am Modern Hebrew Four Jewish Innovators Changing the Face of Pittsburgh Meet four people doing great work to make a difference in our Pittsburgh community. Hear from Heather Arnet, the CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation; Jake Goodman, the executive director of the Opportunity Fund, which awards grants to organizations and initiatives that advance the arts and social and economic justice; and more! Barak Naveh Can I Tell You a Story? Storytelling has always been a favorite pastime of the Jewish people. All the stories from our history, from dating to the Talmud, hold meaning and wisdom to this day. Explore some of these stories, discuss how the Talmud tackles everything from friendship and romance to leadership and power, and think about how these ancient stories can guide us in decision making, values exploration, and creating meaningful lives. Rabbi Danielle Leshaw

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6 6 September 10 Cooking with Casey Weiss Get ready for Rosh Hashanah with a dive into the delicious world of Jewish holiday cooking. Bring your appetite! Can You Give Me a Hand? What do you do when a friend is struggling with a mental health crisis, or going through a rough patch? Explore the hot topic of mental health and wellness, including stigma, self-care, and supporting loved ones. If you only read the headlines, you might not know what to think of the 24 hour news that comes our way. This is a weekly opportunity to go a little bit deeper. You pick the headline and your instructor will help you make sense of it through respectful conversation that brings lots of voices to the table. You will learn how to understand then be understood as you explore the issues of today with a Jewish lens. September 17 Women of the Wall Millions of people visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem each year. Since 1988, the organization Women of the Wall has been advocating for the rights of women to pray, read from the Torah, and wear prayer shawls at this holy site. Who gets to pray at the Western Wall and who decides? Hear a debate between people from both sides of the aisle. Garage Band Bring an instrument or just your voice! Come jam along with friends and learn some new songs. Teens are encouraged to attend both sessions. October 15 Cooking with Casey Weiss Even when Simchat Torah is over, we re still relishing the joy, fun, and sweetness of the celebration. Round out the end of the fall holidays with some delicious cooking. Come hungry! Dive into the delicious world of Jewish cooking, and explore how food connects to other facets of Jewish life. Bring your appetite! The Hierarchy of Oppression with Dr. Avigail Oren Intersectionality is a major buzz word right now, but what does it mean for us as Jews? Discuss the relationships between Jews and other minority groups and how to navigate intersectionality in pursuit of shared goals. Teens are encouraged to attend all three sessions. Decide what you want to do! A chug is a circle a Hebrew word that describes an activity based on shared interests, creating a circle of people around it. 11:20 AM 12:15 PM October 29 From Cancer to Champion CC Champions matches kids with cancer with inspirational role models who help them connect with their passions and dreams everything from cooking to sports to being a nurse. Chat with CC Champions founder Sidney Kushner about the work that they do and sharing your passions with others. Hamiltorah: Hamilton as Midrash with Sara Stock Mayo When Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote Hamilton, he did something that Jewish scholars have been doing with the Talmud for centuries. He put a new spin on an old story and created a midrash. Explore the music and important moments of Hamilton alongside Jewish stories and values and be ready for some sing-alongs! Teens are encouraged to attend both sessions.

7 7 October 1 Cooking with Casey Weiss Sukkot is a time to feast, so let s get warmed up for the holiday with some cooking and eating! Garage Band Bring an instrument or just your voice! Come jam along with friends and learn some new songs. Teens are encouraged to attend both sessions. October 8 The Hierarchy of Oppression with Dr. Avigail Oren Intersectionality is a major buzz word right now, but what does it mean for us as Jews? Discuss the relationships between Jews and other minority groups and how to navigate intersectionality in pursuit of shared goals. Teens are encouraged to attend all three sessions. Dr. Avigail Oren Inside Israel We hear a lot about Israel s relationships with the countries that surround it what about what s going on within the Israeli community? Come learn and talk about some of the big questions and concerns among Israelis, from LGBTQ rights to Israeli citizenship, with some of the Diller Teen Fellows who just had a summer in Israel! } } } Chugim Choose each week from a variety of interactive programs. October 22 The Hierarchy of Oppression with Dr. Avigail Oren Intersectionality is a major buzz word right now, but what does it mean for us as Jews? Discuss the relationships between Jews and other minority groups and how to navigate intersectionality in pursuit of shared goals. Teens are encouraged to attend all three sessions. Hamiltorah: Hamilton as Midrash with Sara Stock Mayo When Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote Hamilton, he did something that Jewish scholars have been doing with the Talmud for centuries. He put a new spin on an old story and created a midrash. Explore the music and important moments of Hamilton alongside Jewish stories and values and be ready for some sing-alongs! Teens are encouraged to attend both sessions. HOW IT WORKS: Purchase a group of chug passes (4 week pass or 8 week pass) at jccpgh.org/jline, or register for a single chug by contacting Ariel DiFelice at adifelice@jccpgh.org or Decide which option for the week appeals to you most. No need to choose in advance when 11:20 rolls around, you can pick where you want to go! Chug passes will be tracked as you attend programs throughout the trimester, and are valid for one trimester only. November 5 Exploring Race in the Pittsburgh Public Schools The student body that makes up all the Pittsburgh Public Schools is a reflection of the racial diversity of our whole city. But what role does race play in education especially when it comes to biases or challenges? Let s talk about issues of race in school and think about what YOU can do to bring about change and work toward a more just and equal education experience. Camp Out! with Andrew Exler Is going to camp your favorite thing about summer? Get a taste of camp during the year! Have some summer in November with campinspired activities and fun with Andrew Exler. New chugim for the Winter and Spring trimesters will be posted during the year to reflect interests and input from J Line students, and ongoing community/current events. Current Events with Barak Naveh will meet every week for the entire year. Questions? Contact Ariel DiFelice at adifelice@jccpgh.org or }}}}See you September 10!

8 8 Sunday mornings at the JCC: Class Descriptions Winter:November 12, 19; December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 21, :55 AM Modern Hebrew Bagels, Knishes, and Pickles: The Lower East Side For decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, New York City s Lower East Side was a hub of Jewish community in America. Examine what life was like for thousands of American Jews and get a peek at original letters, photographs, and personal accounts of a microcosm of Jewish American history. Barak Naveh LGBTQA: 21st Century Conversations Was it Adam and Eve or Adam and Steve back in the garden? Was the first creation a man, woman, or both? Does it even matter? These are among the foundational questions we will ask as we explore our 21st century perspectives on LGBTQA realities. Your opinions will make all the difference as we meet a wide variety of people from in and around Pittsburgh who have what to say about the issues confronting the LGBTQA community and all of us. Rabbi Ron Symons 9:55-10:20 AM Breakfast B yachad (eat and schmooze) 10:20-11:15 am Modern Hebrew Enjoy the Show: Israeli Cinema Experience the wide world of Israeli film and TV. Watch and discuss important selections of Israeli cinema, including the show Srugim (often called the Israeli equivalent of Friends) and the movie A Borrowed Identity. What do you think of them, and what do they tell us about Israeli society and culture today? Barak Naveh A Woman s Place Is Jewish history, from the Torah to today, is rich with conversation about the intersection of feminism and Judaism. What has the role of women been for Jewish culture, society, and people? What does feminism mean in modern Judaism, and where is it going? Explore some of the events and people that have contributed to this ongoing discussion, from Women of the Wall to activism in labor movements, from Deborah to Blu Greenberg, founder of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance. Dr. Avigail Oren

9 9 Sunday mornings at the JCC: Class Descriptions spring:february 4, 11; March 4, 18, April 8, 15, 22, :55 AM Modern Hebrew SNL Saturday Night Live has been making people laugh for decades. The show boasts a Jewish creator, Jewish writers and cast members, and plenty of Jewish material. But what is a Jewish joke, who can make it, and what impact does it have on us as Jews? Dive into the vast world of skits, songs, and reactions that make up Jewish SNL. Barak Naveh Side by Side: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Let s break down the myths, untruths, and false assumptions about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as we compare them side by side. We will have conversations with Christian and Muslim leaders as we explore the we in we the people of this very diverse community we call Pittsburgh. Rabbi Ron Symons 9:55-10:20 AM: Breakfast B yachad (eat and schmooze) 10:20-11:15 am Modern Hebrew Jewish Short Stories Art is too long and life is too short, said Jewish-American writer Grace Paley when asked why she hadn t published more works or any novels. Instead, she wrote poetry and a number of collections of short stories, a favorite medium of many Jewish authors. Read some short stories from across genres, and explore what these writers are able to say and how they are able to affect the Jewish community in so few pages. Barak Naveh Taking the Lead Whether you re a youth group member, an aspiring camp counselor, or just itching to broaden your leadership horizons, come learn with camp and leadership experts from the Pittsburgh Jewish community! Brush up on team building skills, dive into some creative problem-solving, and add a host of other skills to your leadership toolkit.

10 10 additional Programs HaZamir: Grades 8-12 Learn Jewish music, make friends from around the world, and perform in world-class venues. HaZamir Pittsburgh rehearses Jewish choral music on Sunday afternoons at the JCC in preparation for a spring performance with more than 400 other teens from around the world at Carnegie Music Hall or Lincoln Center in New York City. For more information, please contact Chris Herman at cherman@jccpgh.org or to J-Serve: Grades Teens! J-Serve Pittsburgh is a teen-led day of Jewish community service, attended last year by 340 Jewish teens from all over the greater Pittsburgh area. J-Serve takes place in more than 90 cities around the world annually. We had the largest J-Serve turnout last year, but Atlanta is threatening us let s follow the example set by the Penguins and repeat! J-Serve Pittsburgh 2018 will take place on Sunday, March 11. Teens can volunteer at more than 15 service locations. For more information about joining the Steering Committee, or to join our mailing list, please contact Hannah Kalson at hkalson@jccpgh.org. J-Serve Pittsburgh is a partnership of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Repair the World: Pittsburgh, BBYO, and the Volunteer Center of the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh. Better Together: J Line Teens at Weinberg Terrace The JCC is entering the second year of the Legacy Heritage Better TogetherTM program, a two-year program designed to encourage meaningful interactions between young and old. Teens will be joining senior citizens who are residents at Weinberg Terrace, gathering once a month to talk, create, and learn together. Teens will also meet once a month to prepare for upcoming programming. Last year the group tried their hands at podcasting join us this year for new fun projects! Live out the value of l dor vador: from generation to generation. For more information, please contact Hannah Kalson at hkalson@jccpgh.org. What is Judaism: Grades Picture this: You are studying with a classmate in Freshman English 101 Seminar. While exploring Shakespeare, she looks up at you and says, You are the first Jew I ever met. What is the most important thing about Judaism I should know? How will you answer? 1,500 years ago, the Talmud recorded nine answers to this question. Rabbi Ron Symons invites you to join him for dinner on Murray and Forbes for a monthly exploration of their answers. In the end, you will have learned about the nine and come up with your own answer to the question, What is the most important thing about Judaism? Monthly, Thursday evenings 5:30-7 PM September 28, October 26, November 30 December 21, January 25, February 22, March 22 April 26, May 10 For more information, please contact Rabbi Ron Symons at rsymons@jccpgh.org.

11 11 Calendar Friday September 1 September 10 September 10, 17 September 24 Closed October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 November 5 Friday November 3 November 5 November 6 November 12 November 12, 19 November 26 Closed December 3, 10 December 24, 31 Closed January 7, 21, 28 January 14 Closed Friday January 26 January 28 January 29 February 4 February 4, 11 February 18, 25 Closed March 4, 18 March 11 J-Serve! (no classes) March 25 Closed April 8, 15, 22, 29 April 1 Closed April 29 Fall Financial Assistance Application Due Opening Day and Fall Classes Begin Fall Class Dates Winter Financial Assistance Application Due End of Fall Classes Winter Chugim Released Winter Classes Begin Winter Class Dates Spring Financial Assistance Application Due End of Winter Classes Spring Chugim Released Spring Classes Begin Spring Class Dates Chagigah (End-of-Year Celebration) Wednesday Evening Hebrew September 13, 27 October 18, 25 November 1, 8, 15, 29 December 6, 13, 20 January 3, 10, 17, 24 February 7, 14, 21 March 7, 14, 21 April 4, 11, 18, 25 How to Register All registration takes places in Online Edge, the JCC s secure registration system. You do not need to be a JCC member to use it. 1. Please visit JCCPGH.org/jline to view all classes and packages. 2. Click on each class title to register, or fill up a shopping cart of classes. Please note that you will need to create an account to register online for classes, if you do not already have one. JCC membership is not required. If you would prefer not to create an account, please print and , mail, or drop off the PDF registration form found online at JCCPGH.org/jline. 3. Check out. 4. Revisit your class selection and purchase new classes at any time by logging onto JCCPGH.org/jline. 5. Families requesting financial assistance should contact Jessica Mazzoni at jmazzoni@jccpgh.org for an application. Fall applications must be received by Tuesday, September 5. Questions? Contact Ariel DiFelice, adifelice@jccpgh.org or

12 JCCPGH.ORG What Teens Are Saying About J Line Fun! J Line is a place where Jewish teens really come together It s a great experience I love it! We discuss real issues The teachers listen to what we re interested in Visit us online! JCCPGH.org/jline J Line at the JCC