Midrasha in Berkeley engages Jewish teens in exploring their identity as Jews through social, educational, and experiential programming. Through weekly classes, tri-annual retreats, and social action projects, East Bay teens in grades 8 through 12 strengthen their ties with their heritage and their community.
We have recently launched our Hineini, "Here I am," campaign to support our Jewish teens. We're shooting for the stars with a $100,00 fundraising campaign to preserve Midrasha in Berkeley as we build an innovative retreat and experiential education program for all East Bay Jewish teens. To participate, click on the Donate button below. We are so pleased that to date we have reached one half of our goal.
Pre-registration for 2013-2014
Midrasha in the J. Weekly
Midrasha Catalog 2012-2013
Registration Form 2012-2013
Summer Opportunities for Jewish Teens
2013 Graduation Speeches
Family Handbook 2012-2013
What people say about Midrasha in Berkeley
Though I thought the sole purpose of Midrasha was to teach me about Judaism, I learned much more about myself.
Every sleepy Sunday morning, I felt like I experienced a new epiphany about myself and the way the world works.
Sonya Malamut, Midrasha Class of 2013
When I think of a safe space, one of the places I think of is Midrasha.
Savyon Sordean, Midrasha Class of 2013
Our children have been on many group retreats with different organizations, and have been struck by the difference in culture and attitude towards inclusivity and tolerance of physically and mentally challenged peers. At many organizations, the teens are given little guidance about expected behavior in these situations, and there is often a culture of cruelty and humiliation that excludes all but the most powerful from the popular circles. At Midrasha there is a palpable curriculum of seminars and classroom ethics discussions which promote a celebration of tolerance and community. In fact, my children have met some of their best friends at Midrasha while working together to help peers with physical and mental challenges.
Michele Herman, Parent, Class of '12,'13,'15,'16
This incredible program has developed and shaped my Jewish identity in huge ways. At Midrasha, I have taken classes that connect Judaism to relationships, cooking, yoga and even Harry Potter. From each discussion I have every Sunday, I learn a little more about myself as a Jew and as a part of my Jewish community.
Savyon Sordean, Midrasha Class of 2013
Midrasha was a perfect place to continue to build a strong Jewish community around me and to learn Jewish values. Not only was I able to stay in touch with my friends, but I met lots of new people from the other Midrashot and feel close to them too. I have a great Jewish community and I also learned about how to break down stereotypes and treat everyone with respect.
Sam Roditti , Midrasha Class of 2013
Midrasha has been a way to grown my identity, keep in touch with old friends and make new ones at the same time. I can proudly say that slogan on the Midrasha cups is true: “worth the schlep from anywhere.”
Yonah Radousky, Midrasha Class of 2013
I will be able to bring the leadership, critical thinking, listening and talking skills that I’ve learned here, along with the identity that Midrasha has helped me build, to anything I do in the future.
Harry Pollack, Midrasha Class of 2013
I learned so many things from my Midrasha teacher, Day, things I think about on a daily basis, things that have helped me to be a better human being. I learned how to be flexible and caring and kind. I learned how to be thoughtful and resourceful and inventive.
Orionne Malool, Midrasha Class of 2013
My Midrasha teacher David Henkinis a friend and a mentor, teaching not only the words of the Torah but modeling the ethics of the Torah every day in the way he treated students as his equals and the way he showed us to respect each other’s diverse opinions.
Joshua Herman, Midrasha Class of 2013
Midrasha is a wonderful opportunity for teens to learn and build themselves into independent, critically thinking and well-rounded people with a solid sense of self, ready to take on the future.
Noah Amme, Midrasha Class of 2013
My teenagers are so lucky to have Midrasha as the place they will look back on when they think about the good times associated with being a teenager. It's got it all--friends, intellectual challenge, humor, values--a safe place to grow up into a complex, interesting, authentic mensch.
Karen Bovarnick, Parent, Class of 2008 and 2011
