First Semester Sunday Classes
Registration for each of these classes is on a first-come, first-served basis. Classes close at around 15 students, so please send in your registration form as soon as possible. Second semester choices will be announced in December.
10-12th GRADE COURSES
1st Hour
HOME GROWN! URBAN ADAMAH
Day Schildkret
Potatoes and spinach and carrots and beets and tomatoes and onions and basil and …YUM! While you may think you get your produce at the grocery store - that's only a teeny tiny part of the story. Jews were farmers in biblical times, and a small group of really cool Jews is trying it out again in Berkeley. Their brand new urban farm was designed to get your hands dirty and help Jews understand about things like food justice, tikkun olam, and how so many of our rituals are deeply rooted in the land. If you've ever composted, cared about fair trade, or loved having dinner in a sukkah, this class is so you! Plus, there's a surprise! This is offered in collaboration by all four Midrasha campuses and will include one or two Sunday afternoons on the farm, to get all hands-on with your food with all your retreat buddies!
THE BIBLE MEETS YOGA
Lara Walklet
Based on the work of the Bibliyogi, Marcus Freed, we will examine the text of each week’s Torah portion and then extract a theme that translates into a yoga pose. Each class will include a summary of the Parshat HaShavuah, allowing time for text study and interpretation, culminating in a short yoga routine and meditation on the parsha.
MAKING MULTIPLES: PRINTMAKING, BOOKMAKING AND THE TANACH
Erica Fink
This class will explore various printmaking techniques from potato carvings to linoleum prints. With the Tanach as our inspiration, we will illustrate characters, moods, scenes and symbolic imagery discussed in the stories we learn about each week.
KESHER — Note, you MUST also be signed up for a Kesher class in order to attend The Retreats. There are Kesher class options in 2nd hour as well.
10th Grade — KESHER ALEPH: ISRAEL
Ilan Persing
When someone says Israel you may think: Israel is awesome! Or you may think: Why am I supposed to love Israel just because I’m a Jew? Or: The problems in the Middle East started when dinosaurs still roamed the earth, can’t we work them out already? Or: I love falafel. Or: Everything I could ever need to know about Israel I already know from the movie You Don't Mess with the Zohan. In this class on Israel we’ll use movies, music, history, politics and more, to try to inform our opinions from a multitude of perspectives.
11th – 12th Grade - KESHER BET: THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE
Beth Midanik-Blum
What does it mean to be Jewish in America? Is your experience of Judaism different than the experience of Jews in other parts of the world? What do American Jews care about? Come explore the unique perspective American Jews have on their Judaism and on America.
2nd Hour
JEWS IN THE ARAB WORLD
Anna Martin
We will trace the history and relationships of Mizrahi Jews who lived alongside Muslims in communities from Morocco to Iraq in the time period before 1948. We will explore how Jews came to these areas, how the spread of Islam affected Jewish life both positively and negatively, and how Jewish traditions developed in tandem, influenced by and influencing the larger Arab-Muslim context around them. This course will take a historical perspective incorporating literature, music, art and culinary traditions in our exploration of this complicated relationship. We will likely include some cooking and a field trip or two.
KESHER — Note, you MUST also be signed up for a Kesher class in order to attend The Retreats. There are Kesher class options in 1st hour as well.
10th Grade — KESHER ALEPH: ISRAEL
Ilan Persing
11th – 12th Grade - KESHER BET: THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE
Beth Midanik-Blum
ABRAHAM’S VISION – UNITY PROGRAM: INTER-GROUP MUSLIM AND JEWISH CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION
Oren Kroll-Zeldin, Wafaa Sabil
This class includes discussions on issues related to Islam, Judaism, and Muslim-Jewish relations, as well as weekly classes, guest speakers, field trips and group process sessions with students from our Islamic partner school. To download the separate application for this class go to www.abrahamsvision.org. This class is a full year commitment and you must take it in both 2nd and 3rd hour. This class will meet from 10:45 am – 12:45 pm. Enrollment is limited so fill out your separate application soon.
BEGINNING CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW
Lara Walklet
After all those years of studying in Religious School, would you like to learn to actually SPEAK in Hebrew? Meet a Jew anywhere in the world and chances are they’ll know what at least “Shalom” means. Hebrew is our direct way of connecting to Jews world-wide. Let’s get beyond “Shalom” and learn to communicate.
TALMUD
Muni Schweig
The spider web of interlocking thoughts from the finest ancient Jewish minds that make up the Talmud will fascinate and grab you. You’ve never challenged yourself intellectually if you haven’t experienced studying Talmud. We’ll study whichever subject the class proposes. Don’t miss this chance to experience traditional Jewish study.
MIXED MEDIA PAINTING: PORTRAITS IN JUDAISM
Erica Fink
This class will learn about iconic Jewish figures, current and historical, through rendering representational and abstract portraits in acrylic paint, paper, collage and found objects. We will also embark on a Jewish family history project where students will create portraits of family members.
PROJECT RUNWAY: JEW-EDITION
Day Schildkret
It's time to make it work, designers! This season at Midrasha, 16 Jewish-designers will get a chance to design, create and compete in wild weekly challenges that will be judged by famous Midrasha celebrity guests. Each week, a new Jewish themed surprise will descend on the cast of designers. Using text, stories and fashionista tidbits from the Torah, Jewish history or modern Israel, you will have a limited amount of time to create your fashion-forward pieces to be displayed on the runway at the end of the semester. This is a class for the crazy-creative who think they're talented enough to be the next hot Jewish designer. Auf WiederShalom!
YOGA: SHMIRAT HA-GUF: PROTECTING THE BODY
Sacha J. Kopin
Spend Sunday morning learning to see your body in a new way. We’ll use yoga, Torah and discussion to stretch into a new inner truth about tattoos, piercing, body image, plastic surgery and more.
SHE’ARIM: GATEWAY TO MIDRASHA
Debby Graudenz
This class will offer a chance to discuss some of the most important questions about the meaning of life from a Jewish perspective. Students will select a series of “big” questions such as: “Why am I here? Why does God let bad things happen to good people? How do I deal with the anger when I’m one of the people who has to deal with adversity? How do I make my life good/productive/meaningful? What does it mean for me to be a Jew?” as the focus of their discussions. This class is being offered through a Jewish Federation Special Education Micro-Grant. Admission to the class is by permission of the Director.
3rd Hour
RELATIONSHIPS
Beth Midanik-Blum
We all relate to others. How well, how intensely, with what degree of integrity do we manage our relationships? These are questions Judaism not only addresses, but celebrates in both textual tradition and halachic observance. We will deal with topics such as dating, marriage, interfaith relationships, abortion and AIDS. We’ll examine the facts and the ethics of relationships, both sexual and not, with classmates and guest speakers. Open to those who have taken this class before as well as new students.
BETH EL CONFIRMATION CLASS
Rabbi Yoel Kahn
Ideas, values, questions and muffins! We will explore Jewish ideas, Judaism and other spiritual traditions, and a wide variety of other topics (chosen by participants) in this fun but deeply thought-provoking class. Monthly programs will include dinners, field trips and a weekend trip to an exotic destination city. The class concludes with the Confirmation dinner and service in the Spring. All Beth El 10th graders are automatically enrolled in Confirmation class; Beth El 11th graders may also enroll.
ABRAHAM’S VISION – UNITY PROGRAM: INTER-GROUP MUSLIM AND JEWISH CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION
Oren Kroll-Zeldin, Wafaa Sabil
ADVANCED CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW
Ilan Persing
You’ve put a lot of effort into learning Hebrew, so don’t let it slip away now. Come practice those hard-won skills. This course is for those at intermediate and advanced conversational Hebrew levels.
HOLOCAUST
Erica Crowell Altobelli
This class will be a survey of interesting and relevant Holocaust topics. We will be learning about the Holocaust through a variety of media including: films, speakers, readings and experiential exercises. Each week will be a self-contained lesson exploring some aspect of the history, personalities and reverberations of the Shoah. Additionally, students will be given time in class to work on a creative project, which could be writing, art or research related to the Holocaust.
THE HAVDALAH OUTREACH PROJECT
Lara Walklet
Using cooking, film, art, music and traditions from around the world, we will explore Shabbat in-depth, concentrating on the ritual of Havdalah. Learning leadership skills we will then take this knowledge to the Religious Schools of some of our partner synagogues as we bring them the joy of Havdalah that we ourselves find on Midrasha retreats. Students are expected to attend at least one synagogue outreach 6th/7th grade Havdalah program.
POP-JEWY: MUSIC TO THE JEWISH EAR
Noemi Hollander
Music is in our Jewish souls. Sometimes a song’s message hits us immediately and sometimes the meaning is buried in layers of literary, Biblical, and pop-culture references. Can we hear Sly and the Family Stone sing and NOT think of Hillel? How does the message change when we move from Matisyahu to Alpha Blondy singing versions of “Jerusalem”? This class is about paying attention to the world around us, and using the music in our Jewish hearts to guide our discussions about events and people and places.
MEDITATIVE DRAWING AND PAINTING: JUDAISM AND TIME
Erica Fink
The passing of time is important in the rituals, tradition, holidays and history of Judaism. This class muses on Jewish notions of time through meditative drawing and painting.
PROJECT RUNWAY: JEW-EDITION
Day Schildkret
8th-9th GRADE COURSES
1st Hour
GESHARIM (8th GRADE CORE)
Sacha J. Kopin
8th Graders! Start your Midrasha experience with an exciting chance to meet Jewish teens from around the Bay Area as you grapple with modern ethical issues and take action to address homelessness, discrimination and injustice. Doing good never felt this right. The class includes participation in two fun-filled weekend retreats and a day-long adventure as well.
ETGAR (9th GRADE CORE)
Noemi Hollander and Anna Martin
Who am I? What do I believe? Why are other Jews different than I am? How are they the same? Explore issues of Jewish identity and come up with surprising answers. The class includes participation in three amazing weekend retreats.
2nd Hour
THE ETHICS OF WIZARDRY
Noemi Hollander
Are you kidding? Harry Potter has something to do with being Jewish? We’ll find out what McGonagall, Dumbledore, Hermione, and the Weasleys would be teaching at Midrasha if they worked here.
BEGINNING CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW
Lara Walklet
After all those years of studying in Religious School, would you like to learn to actually SPEAK in Hebrew? Meet a Jew anywhere in the world and chances are they’ll know what at least “Shalom” means. Hebrew is our direct way of connecting to Jews world-wide. Let’s get beyond “Shalom” and learn to communicate.
TALMUD
Muni Schweig
The spider web of interlocking thoughts from the finest ancient Jewish minds that make up the Talmud will fascinate and grab you. You’ve never challenged yourself intellectually if you haven’t experienced studying Talmud. We’ll study whichever subject the class proposes. Don’t miss this chance to experience traditional Jewish study.
MIXED MEDIA PAINTING: PORTRAITS IN JUDAISM
Erica Fink
This class will learn about iconic Jewish figures, current and historical, through rendering representational and abstract portraits in acrylic paint, paper, collage and found objects. We will also embark on a Jewish family history project where students will create portraits of family members.
PROJECT RUNWAY: JEW-EDITION
Day Schildkret
It's time to make it work, designers! This season at Midrasha, 16 Jewish-designers will get a chance to design, create and compete in wild weekly challenges that will be judged by famous Midrasha celebrity guests. Each week, a new Jewish themed surprise will descend on the cast of designers. Using text, stories and fashionista tidbits from the Torah, Jewish history or modern Israel, you will have a limited amount of time to create your fashion-forward pieces to be displayed on the runway at the end of the semester. This is a class for the crazy-creative who think they're talented enough to be the next hot Jewish designer. Auf WiederShalom!
YOGA: SHMIRAT HA-GUF: PROTECTING THE BODY
Sacha J. Kopin
Spend Sunday morning learning to see your body in a new way. We’ll use yoga, Torah and discussion to stretch into a new inner truth about tattoos, piercing, body image, plastic surgery and more.
SHE’ARIM: GATEWAY TO MIDRASHA
Debby Graudenz
This class will offer a chance to discuss some of the most important questions about the meaning of life from a Jewish perspective. Students will select a series of “big” questions such as: “Why am I here? Why does God let bad things happen to good people? How do I deal with the anger when I’m one of the people who has to deal with adversity? How do I make my life good/productive/meaningful? What does it mean for me to be a Jew?” as the focus of their discussions. This class is being offered through a Jewish Federation Special Education Micro-Grant. Admission to the class is by permission of the Director.
3rd Hour
ISRAELI CULTURE, LIVE!
Sacha J. Kopin
Did you know that the cell phone was invented in Israel??? This class will include a pinch of this, a sprinkle of that...We'll be on an adventure to get the feel, smell, touch, sounds and looks of Israel, exploring it through multiple media such as music, tv, art, dance and food. Come listen, watch and dissect some Israeli hip hop, munch on some bamba & bisli, and learn what's hip and happenin’ in the Holy Land. We promise that each week will be a totally different experience...great for those who like variety in the classroom.
NOT JUST BAGEL EATERS: JEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Anna Martin
This course will survey worldwide Jewish communities and Jewish influences from Morocco, India, China, Mexico, and beyond. We will try to become aware of Jewish diversity by cooking, listening to music, viewing art and examining differences of belief and practice within the least familiar corners of the Jewish world. Cooking and a fieldtrip or two will likely be involved.
ADVANCED CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW
Ilan Persing
You’ve put a lot of effort into learning Hebrew, so don’t let it slip away now. Come practice those hard-won skills. This course is for those at intermediate and advanced conversational Hebrew levels.
HOLOCAUST
Erica Crowell Altobelli
This class will be a survey of interesting and relevant Holocaust topics. We will be learning about the Holocaust through a variety of media including: films, speakers, readings and experiential exercises. Each week will be a self-contained lesson exploring some aspect of the history, personalities and reverberations of the Shoah. Additionally, students will be given time in class to work on a creative project, which could be writing, art or research related to the Holocaust.
THE HAVDALAH OUTREACH PROJECT
Lara Walklet
Using cooking, film, art, music and traditions from around the world, we will explore Shabbat in-depth, concentrating on the ritual of Havdalah. Learning leadership skills we will then take this knowledge to the Religious Schools of some of our partner synagogues as we bring them the joy of Havdalah that we ourselves find on Midrasha retreats. Students are expected to attend at least one synagogue outreach 6th/7th grade Havdalah program.
POP-JEWY: MUSIC TO THE JEWISH EAR
Noemi Hollander
Music is in our Jewish souls. Sometimes a song’s message hits us immediately and sometimes the meaning is buried in layers of literary, Biblical, and pop-culture references. Can we hear Sly and the Family Stone sing and NOT think of Hillel? How does the message change when we move from Matisyahu to Alpha Blondy singing versions of “Jerusalem”? This class is about paying attention to the world around us, and using the music in our Jewish hearts to guide our discussions about events and people and places.
MEDITATIVE DRAWING AND PAINTING: JUDAISM AND TIME
Erica Fink
The passing of time is important in the rituals, tradition, holidays and history of Judaism. This class muses on Jewish notions of time through meditative drawing and painting.
PROJECT RUNWAY: JEW-EDITION
Day Schildkret
