Course Listings

COURSE OFFERINGS FOR WINTER 2012

First Hour

Credit classes can be taken as elective

BEIT MIDRASH - GIRLS (Rabbi Hiller) – CREDIT class
This course is primarily a one-on-one partner learning open to all. Use this opportunity to study the Jewish text of your choice. Come with a learning partner or have us arrange one for you. There will be teachers to advise and help you master the text as well as fellow students. There will be occasional speakers and seminars.

JEWISH COOKING (Francine Birk) - CREDIT class
This course will focus on multiple elements of Jewish cooking which includes what is kashrut, what makes food "Jewish", how do you roll the perfect challah and where in text is food mentioned and its relevance to the culture and the religion. There will be learning in addition to cooking. This class cannot be taken during the same semester as Krav Maga.

KRAV MAGA  (Larry Russak) - CREDIT class
Krav Maga, which is Hebrew for "contact combat," is a unique method of self-defense incorporating instinctive movements and real-world situational training. Commando Krav Maga (CKM) class involves hand-to-hand training and ground survival techniques. The sessions are action-packed and focus on proficiency in the area of personal protection and security as well as stamina, endurance and a healthy lifestyle.  Calisthenics are also performed in each session. This class also has a focus on Israeli and Jewish History. Open to beginners and those with past experience.

GUITAR – LEVEL I (Darren Loucas) - CREDIT class

This guitar class, taught by Darren Loucas, will teach the fundamentals of guitar and how to play in a group, accompany yourself and take the lead.  Uniquely, this class will be grounded in the Jewish values of being a performer, leader and part of a group. This class will culminate into a final project in December.

How do you know this class is for you?

·         You are beginning guitarist

·         You love music

·         You have an interest in learning to play with others

·         Interested in making music and sharing it with others.

JUDAISM ROCKS! (Rabbi Kornfeld)

Judaism is pretty much the most amazing religion in the world…or is it? In this class Rabbi Kornfeld will take you on discussions and debate while filing your head with amazing information about this religion.  You don’t have to be a scholar but you do need to be interested and willing to talk and learn with one of the most amazing teachers in Seattle. Sign-up now!

WHY STUDY JEWISH HISTORY (Bob Hershkowitz)

Continuation from last trimester, must take if interested in AP Credit

The study of the Jewish past is the key to understanding both the Jewish present and the Jewish future. If we want to understand who we are today and where we are heading as a people, we need to understand who and what we were in the past. The events of 50, 100, 1,000 or 2,000 and more years ago continue to shape our Jewish identities today in ways both subtle and profound. “Maaseh Avot Siman Labanim” – There are many recurring patterns and themes in Jewish history. The complex and fascinating lives of our ancestors provide us with a key to uncovering those patterns and themes. We learn from them as well the secrets of Jewish survival through the ages.

How do you know this class is for you?

·         You want to earn AP credit

·         You like classes where you learn something and get to discuss

·         You are interested in history

·         You want college credit

FIRST AND SECOND HOUR – SENIORS ONLY

WHAT IS A K’HILA (Matthew Korch)

In this special class for seniors, you will have the opportunity to develop your own understanding of what a K’hila (community) means and start thinking about the K’hila you will create when you graduate high school.  You will visit and learn about Jewish organizations in the Seattle area like Jewish Family Service, UW Hillel, and the Mikvah.

Second Hour

Credit classes can be taken as elective

BEIT MIDRASH – BOYS (Rabbi Hiller) – CREDIT class
This course is primarily a one-on-one partner learning open to all. Use this opportunity to study the Jewish text of your choice. Come with a learning partner or have us arrange one for you. There will be teachers to advise and help you master the text as well as fellow students. There will be occasional speakers and seminars.

CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW (Maya Beretta) – HONORS class for those taking it as an elective
This course is a basic beginners course for Hebrew and sets the stage to be able to speak conversational Hebrew. This class includes homework and study outside of class in order to learn the language

JUDAISM 101 (Rabbi Mark Spiro) – HONORS class for those taking it as an elective

This comprehensive overview allows you to take an in-depth look at some of life’s biggest questions through the lens of Jewish philosophy and mysticism: Can we know if there’s a God and what difference does it make? Why are we here?  Why do we have a body and a soul? Are people naturally good or evil? What is free-will? What does Judaism have to say about the afterlife? Why do bad things happen to good people? Did God really speak at Sinai? What is the Torah? Why do we have an oral and written Torah? Why do we need mitzvoth? What does it mean to be the chosen people? What is the cause of anti-Semitism? Join us as we probe these (and other) issues, and gain a whole new understanding and appreciation of what Judaism can teach us about life!

GUITAR LEVEL II (Darren Loucas) - HONORS class for those taking it as an elective

This guitar class, taught by Darren Loucas, will go beyond the fundamentals.  This class will be challenged to go beyond the songs they know into creating new sounds, new songs and finding new experiences as individuals and as a group. Uniquely, this class will be grounded in the Jewish values of being a performer, leader and part of a group.  This class will culminate in a final project in December.

How do you know this class is for you?

·         Have experience in music

·         Interested in going the next level to hone your skills

·         Learn new techniques

Culminating Project:  

At Hebrew High December – Hanukkah celebration

At Kline or Summit for March

At Hebrew High Graduation

JEWISH COOKING (Francine Birk) - HONORS class for those taking it as an elective
This course will focus on multiple elements of Jewish cooking which includes what is kashrut, what makes food "Jewish", how do you roll the perfect challah and where in text is food mentioned and its relevance to the culture and the religion. There will be learning in addition to cooking.

THE HUNGER GAMES, HARRY POTTER, AND JUDAISM (Amy Paquette – yes, the principal!)

In this class we delve deep into all 7 books of Harry Potter and the Hunger Games trilogy.  We will analyze text (both fiction and Torah) and also talk about similarities and differences between the books and how they fit into Judaism. 

How do you know this class is for you?

·         You enjoy analyzing text

·         You enjoyed reading The Hunger Games and Harry Potter

·         Like have discussions

FROM PRINT TO SILVER SCREEN: JEWISH STEREOTYPES IN ALL FORMS OF MEDIA (Ben Lehrer)

We’ve all heard the word stereotype and in this class we are going to be watching, reading and discussing different forms of media where Jews are depicted.  Whether it is an article in a newspaper, an episode on a popular sitcom, or a full-length feature film, we are going to dive into the media and see how others depict our people. 

But this class comes with a twist.

Every week during our 10 weeks together, each student will prepare some form of media they have researched prior to each class and present it to the class and lead a discussion on why they chose their form of media stereotyping and depicting Jews.  This class will challenge you to do some research on your own and prepare for your presentation for the week you are assigned to present.  You, the student, will be teaching the class so be prepared to learn from each other.