Hebrew High Partnership Brings Credits to Kids

Michael Buble said it best, "It is a new dawn, it's a new day," which is true for the 2010-2011 academic year at Hebrew High. Starting this September, Hebrew High will be partnering with Torah High to engage students in elective-based programming that earns them high school credits at their public school.

Hebrew High is celebrating its fortieth year as the Jewish supplementary community school for the Puget Sound area. Formerly the Community High School of Jewish Studies, Hebrew High is a program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. Jewish teens who attend Hebrew High span the spectrum of Jewish beliefs, backgrounds and traditions. Many are affiliated with synagogues, youth groups and youth movements. Other teens are unaffiliated and find their connection within the Jewish community through our school. Faculty at Hebrew High have varied backgrounds, knowledge and religious experiences.

Running in tandem to other supplementary schools across the country, Hebrew High has seen a 20% drop since its highest enrollment in 2006. "The reasons for the drop in enrollment can be attributed to the economy; however, I also suspect that the over-programming of today's teens is also a factor," said Hebrew High Principal Amy Hilzman-Paquette. "We need to find new ways to bring Jewish education, values, middot (ethics) and history to the teens rather than waiting for them to come to us."

Enter Torah High. While Hebrew schools nationally have shown a drop in enrollment, Torah High's numbers have been growing exponentially every year. Started three years ago and really coming into the foreground last year, Torah High has become a strong player in the realm of supplementary Jewish education. Torah High is an allied agency with the Jewish Student Union, Seattle NCSY, and a proud beneficiary of the Samis Foundation. As a NAAS accredited after-school Jewish studies program for public school students in grades 8-12, students can receive high school credits in Religious Studies, Hebrew Language, Philosophy and more. Classes like Krav Maga, Guitar and Kosher Culinary Arts round out a fun and forward-moving Jewish education.

Registration is open for the fall semester. Register at www.HebrewHighSeattle.com.

Torah High Director Ari Hoffman and Hebrew High Principal Hilzman-Paquette met in April to discuss the benefits of partnering together to become the first elective-based, accredited supplementary Jewish high school in the region. The decision to pursue the partnership was a no-brainer. "It was bashert (meant to be) that the two organizations would partner, providing an opportunity for high school students be Jewish, do Jewish, and meet their high school requirements," said Hilzman-Paquette.

According to Hoffman, "Hebrew High and Torah High both bring their best features to this newly formed program, but students shouldn't worry that they'll find it unfamiliar. This partnership is a great way to improve both schools, not take away from either."

Jewish Student Union clubs in public schools also contribute to increased enrollment. These clubs include Bellevue, Mercer Island, Newport, Interlake, Islander Middle School, and more are opening every year. "We are hoping that enrollment will grow due to the partnership," said Hilzman-Paquette, "but more so, we are hoping that students have the chance to relax, have fun and make the drive toward school excellence and college a little less stressful."

Students will find amazing new opportunities, such as earning credits through traveling to Israel and Europe on summer programs with NCSY, a 5-day winter trip to New York City, and many other local programs.

Find out more by visiting www.HebrewHighSeattle.com or by attending our Open House on September 1 at 7pm at the Stroum Jewish Community Center.