Midrasha in Berkeley

Midweek Classes

Midrasha hopes that five or more hours of study per week will become the norm for many students. Students may enroll in the following class in addition to Sunday morning classes or as an independent option.

MIDWEEK TANACH AND TALMUD CLASS

David Henkin and Zvi Septimus
4:15-6:15 p.m., Thursdays
Class meets at Congregation Beth Israel, 1630 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
This course is an informal but intensive study group focusing on close thematic readings of the Tanach and Talmud in translation. There will be one theme that David will follow through the Tanach and Zvi will explore in rabbinic/Talmudic literature. The class begins on October 11 and will continue weekly except for Jewish holidays and school vacations. The exact meeting schedule will be set with the students and teacher.

MYSTICAL VISIONS OF GOD

Rabbi Menachem Creditor
6:15-7:15 p.m., Tuesdays
Class meets at Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Avenue, Berkeley

OTHER PROGRAMS

For information on all programs listed below with the exception of Confirmation contact Toba Strauss or Danny Blum at the CJLL 839-2900, ext 234 or 267, retreats@jfed.org.

HADRACHA

Hadracha, our leadership training track, is open to 11th graders enrolled in Kesher. During 11th grade, participants meet regularly to learn leadership techniques and theory. Students work with the Etgar program, first as observers and peer role models, then gradually taking on leadership and programming roles in the program. Enrollment is selective as Hadracha students are chosen and trained to be role models throughout the East Bay Jewish teen community and a significant time commitment is involved. There is an additional fee of $200 for eleventh graders in Hadracha, billed directly by the CJLL.

PANIM EL PANIM

11th and 12th grade students will be offered the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to see our U.S. government in action through Jewish eyes. Participation is by application. This year’s trip will be in the spring.

CONFIRMATION

Tenth graders from Congregation Beth El and Temple Beth Abraham are eligible to participate in the annual  Confirmation ceremony. Students wishing to participate should contact their congregational rabbi to learn further details. Beth El and Beth Abraham 10th graders will be expected to enroll in a Midrasha class taught by their rabbi during the 2nd semester.

ISRAEL

SUMMER ISRAEL TRIPS

Each year many of our students, at the end of their tenth or eleventh grade year, travel to Israel with our community trip, “Lets Go Israel!,” sponsored by the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay. Traveling with Midrasha friends, students enjoy educational, spiritual and social experiences that last a lifetime. In addition to the community trip, there are a variety of other summer trips for teenagers available. Midrasha encourages its students to participate in any of them. A detailed list of trips available can be obtained from the Jewish Community Federation’s Israel Center at 839-2900 ext. 256. Tali Lipshitz, director of the Let’s Go Israel!, will be at Midrasha on December 7 to talk to10th and 11th graders and their parents about the community trip. She can be reached via email at tali@jfed.org or at 839-2900 ext. 255.

SHALHEVET

Course: January-May 2009
Journey: March 2009

Shalhevet ("flame" in Hebrew) is an experiential learning opportunity for Bay Area juniors and seniors that includes a 2-week trip to Poland and Israel with a local Holocaust survivor. Beginning in January students will participate in classes before and after the trip, studying European Jewish history, the Holocaust and Israel. Upon their return students will create projects and share their experiences with the community. Application will be accepted beginning in October 2008. Shalhevet is a dynamic collaboration between the Holocaust Center of Northern California and the Bureau of Jewish Education. For interest and questions please contact Morgan Blum, mblum@hcnc.org and Yaron Lipshitz, ylipschitz@bjesf.org. Scholarships are available.