TALMUD TORAH HEBREW CLASSES CIS (College in the Schools) Hebrew Classes CIS is offered at five levels for college credit: 1001, 1002, 3011, 3012 and 3090. Classes meet 3 hours per week for the first four levels and 2 hours per week for 3090. This is a University requirement. CIS 3090 is the most advanced Hebrew level offered through the University. A new curriculum is designed for 3090 each year and students may take the class up to six times. If there are students who have completed CIS classes offered elsewhere and would like to continue to get college credit, you may continue to take CIS classes with us. Students who have taken IB classes offered elsewhere can continue their Hebrew studies with us in the CIS program and earn college credit. Note: If you haven t yet taken a CIS class at TT, a placement exam is required. CIS 1001 Instructor: Missy (Tamar) Lavintman CIS 1002 Instructor: Sally Abrams CIS 3011 Instructor: Tamy Kaiyalethe CIS 3012 Instructor: Dr. Yaakov Levi CIS 3090 Instructor: Dr. Yaakov Levi *Classes that run 1 hour and 50 minutes include a 10-minute break Hebrew Ulpan Sunday 11:10 AM- 12:00 PM & Wednesday 6:10 PM-8:00 PM Sunday 10:10 AM-12:00 PM & Wednesday 6:10 PM-7:00 PM Sunday 10:10 AM-12:00 PM & Wednesday 6:10 PM-7:00 PM Sunday 11:10 AM-1:00 PM & Wednesday 6:10 PM- 7:00 PM Sunday 10:10 AM-11:00 AM & Wednesday 7:10 PM-8:00 PM If you like to continue with your Hebrew studies with a focus on conversation and Israeli themes, Hebrew Ulpan is offered 2 hours per week - 1 hour each on Sundays and Wednesdays. Ulpan Sunday 12:10 PM-1:00 PM & Wednesday 6:05 PM-6:55 PM
TALMUD TORAH SUNDAY ELECTIVES 10:10 AM Sunday Electives Saving a Life Including Your Own! Pikuach Nefesh, saving a life, is a very important principal in Judaism. In this fascinating course, you will delve into such issues as when and what commandments you can break to save a life, whether you can put yourself at risk to save a life, whether you should save the life of an enemy, and so much more! You ll even learn how to save your own life, as Rabbi Ben will teach you some self-defense techniques throughout the semester. Darkaynu: Working with Kids with Special Needs (Interview Required) Instructor: Sha'arim Darkaynu is a self-contained Jewish educational and social program that allows Jewish children K-12 identified with more moderate to severe special needs to participate in a Jewish learning experience each Sunday morning from 10-12 at the Sabes JCC. The students come together for 2 hours of Judaic studies and social/recreational opportunities. Each week they have a chance to meet with congregational Rabbis who come to lead and join in to the Tefillah and Ruach session provided. The students learn about the Jewish holidays, weekly Torah portion, Jewish lifecycle events and participate in various social and recreational activities available at the JCC to enhance and enrich their connection to the Jewish community. This is an opportunity for Talmud Torah students to work alongside the students who are receiving a Jewish education through the self contained Darken program. The program is for 2 hours and for the past 2 years we have had Talmud Torah students join the first hour from 10-11. We pair up the TT student with a Darkaynu student on a 1:1 basis and the TT volunteer student helps the Darkaynu student with the various projects and activities designed for the first hour of the morning Did You Hear the One About Instructor: Ron Plotsker Trust us, as well as you may think you know the stories in the Bible, you probably don t know half of them. Even in Genesis, which most people learn many times, there are stories which you have never heard. You may know all about Noah and the ark, but do you know all the hanky panky that went on when they hit dry land? Ever heard of Korach? Or Balaam? Did you know that there is a talking donkey in the Torah? There are great stories waiting for you in this class. 11:10 AM SUNDAY ELECTIVES Chevruta Study Join Rabbi Ben for some traditional partner study of the Torah portion of the week, or any other text based topic you d like to study about.
TALMUD TORAH SUNDAY ELECTIVES 12: 10 PM Sunday Electives Torah Yoga Torah is the wisdom and the way that has guided the Jewish people for thousands of years. Yoga is the ancient practice of using breath and movement to enlighten body, mind, heart, and soul. Torah Yoga offers an experience of Jewish Wisdom through yoga instruction together with the study of traditional and mystical Jewish texts. With this approach you can learn and grow holistically. By studying with your whole self, you acquire wisdom that can inspire and guide your whole life. Nostradamus vs. Isaiah the Jewish View of Prophecy What exactly is a prophet? Is it someone who can foresee the future? Are fortune tellers prophets? Or is a prophet a fighter for social justice, or someone trying to turn people away from evil? Or is it a combination of all of the above? What exactly is a Jewish prophet? How can you tell if someone is one? Were they beloved or revered by the ancient Jewish community? We foresee you getting answers to these questions and more if you take this class! Jewish Graphic Arts Instructor: Anat Szendro Get creative and utilize your talent to create Jewish graphic arts. Cards, posters, illustrations, symbols they all can be used in very Jewish ways. Our instructor has a degree in graphic arts, and ran her own company in Israel! HaZamir (NOTE THIS CLASS MEETS UNTIL 2 PM) Instructor: Cantor Audrey Abrams HaZamir is for those of you who love to sing, harmonize, and make beautiful music as part of a choir/chorus. Local groups (such as ours) all over the country work on Jewish and/or Hebrew chorale pieces, perfecting their craft throughout the year. Then, in the early spring, all the local groups converge in New York City for a wonderful, awe-inspiring song fest. This is truly an amazing opportunity led locally by our own fantastic cantor and musician, Audrey Abrams of Beth El Synagogue.
TALMUD TORAH WEDNEDAY ELECTIVES 6:10 PM Wednesday Electives Getting Arrested A Jewish Value? Instructors: Drea Lear & Avi Baron Social Justice is one of the main themes of our Bible. And not just talking about it, but doing something about it. Act of civil disobedience actually appear several times in the Torah, where people protest certain laws or actions in a variety of ways. Pinchas the zealot and the sisters who challenged God s laws regarding inheritance are examples. Rabbi Heschel marched for civil rights and risked going to jail. Learn about the long tradition of civil disobedience throughout Jewish history. 7:10 PM Wednesday Electives Heaven, Hell, Or Something Different? Instructors: Drea Lear & Avi Baron What do Jews believe regarding what happens after death? Do we believe in heaven? Hell? Reincarnation? In fact, is there an official, uniform Jewish belief? How do Jewish beliefs compare and contrast to the views of other religions? Is there any evidence that can help us figure it all out? Torah Yoga Torah is the wisdom and the way that has guided the Jewish people for thousands of years. Yoga is the ancient practice of using breath and movement to enlighten body, mind, heart, and soul. Torah Yoga offers an experience of Jewish Wisdom through yoga instruction together with the study of traditional and mystical Jewish texts. With this approach you can learn and grow holistically. By studying with your whole self, you acquire wisdom that can inspire and guide your whole life. Israel Leadership Fellows (open to 10 th graders and older) Instructor: Sally Abrams This exciting new class is a collaboration between Talmud Torah, JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council), NCJW (National Council of Jewish Women), and the Federation s Israel Department. You will have a weekly class at Talmud Torah that focuses on Israel and on advocacy and leadership skills. You will also be assigned a mentor who you will work with you on learning and practicing how to make presentations to groups outside the classroom. You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course. This is a full year-long course.
TALMUD TORAH WEDNESDAY ELECTIVES 8:10 PM KEHILLA & CONFIRMATION CLASSES Kehilla, which is the Hebrew word for community is a unique, grade specific program which has three main goals for our students: to provide a developmentally appropriate opportunity to explore their Jewish identity as they approach new phases of life; to provide grade-specific social opportunities; and to enhance the sense of community between the students, their peers, their families, and the school. Ninth Grade Kehilla Instructor: Debby Litman-Zelle What does it mean to be in high school? Who am I now? How are Jewish values relevant to my life? Discussions and activities center around such topics as friendships, relationships, digital etiquette, and looking at life through a Jewish Lens. Tenth Grade (Confirmation) Instructor: Rabbis from Beth El and Adath Jeshurun This is an important opportunity to study with and learn from your own Rabbi, and to discuss topics that have contemporary and personal meaning. Eleventh Grade Instructor: Barry Gruber It s time to begin thinking about college and creating a meaningful, independent adult life. Discussions center around what students want Jewishly as they begin their own lives away from home, and how that plays out as they begin looking for and applying to colleges. What campus organizations can help? What can you do if there are no organizations? Twelfth Grade Instructor: Susie Chalom As students are about to leave home and high school and enter the world of college, independence, and adulthood, this class will help develop your critical thinking as well as develop your inner spiritual self. Discussions in class will help you recognize the blessings and gifts from your family, community, and school that you are taking with you as you embark on your journey to independence. Most importantly, it is a safe community during your turbulent senior year! COLLABORATIVE CLASSES Seeds of Justice This is a collaboration between Talmud Torah and the JCA (Jewish Community Action). You will learn about the social justice issues that are currently being worked on by the JCA. You will learn advocacy skills and, ultimately, create an advocacy plan for a specific issue, under the tutelage of staff and mentors from JCA. All sessions are held outside Talmud Torah, according to a schedule developed by JCA. Requirements include one or two weekend retreats.