May 17, 2012   25 Iyyar 5772
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Exciting News About Our Upper School and Confirmation Programs  

Starting in the fall 2011, we are creating a new, reformatted Upper School especially formulated to interest and involve all of our students throughout their high school years. Classes will lead to confirmation, and there will be special and exciting programming to attract our post-confirmation students, as well.

Eighth graders will continue to meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00 am - 11:30 am during Religious School. Grades 9 - 12 will meet on Tuesday evenings, in accordance with the Religious School calendar, and classes will be offered from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. An optional, reservation only, dinner begins the evening at 5:30 pm.

11th and 12th graders will have the opportunity to participate in a brand-new virtual high school, under the auspices of the Union for Reform Judaism. To find out more, please see the information below.

For more information about any aspect of the Upper School program, contact Director Itzik Eshel or Upper School Coordinator, Daniel Herschler.

See you there!

 
Our 2011-2012 Upper School Program  
EXPLORATION 

8th grade students will explore: Jewish identity; comparative Judaism; and comparative religions.  (8th graders will meet on Sunday mornings during Religious School.)

9th grade students will explore: issues of social justice; famous Jewish role models; spirituality, faith and belief; Jewish arts, culture and literature; Jewish food, ethics and health; and significant Jewish memories and important historical events. (9th graders will meet on Tuesday evening during Religious School.)

 CONFIRMATION 

The class for our 10th grade students will be taught on Tuesday evening by the Rabbi, Cantor and Itzik Eshel. It will explore questions of Jewish identity: Should Judaism play a role in the decisions I make in my life? Is it important what Judaism teaches us? Can prayer, spirituality, and God make a difference in my life? How can I engage with my Judaism in a way that's meaningful for me? For a year, students will have the Rabbi, Cantor and Educator all to themselves. They will be encouraged to ask away and not hold back! The clergy and Dr. Eshel say: “Don’t be bashful; let us know what is on your mind. But watch out! You may find your opinions changing.” At the close of the school year, students put together their own creative service for their graduation, which occurs springtime around the holiday of Shavuot. For that service, each student writes an essay about his or her Jewish identity or upbringing. They may also participate in reading the Torah or perform with a musical instrument.

SYMPOSIUM

11th and 12th grade students will meet once a month on Tuesday evening starting after the High Holidays, and will participate in a virtual High school with other congregations from around the country. They will also be a part of a consortium with Temple Shalom and Beth El. They will host Mr. Anton Goodman, the Israeli Shaliach (Envoy), for a special course asking tough questions about Israel: In the new reality of increased hostility towards Israel, how can we publicly answer questions we privately struggle with ourselves?  How can we balance intellectual honesty about a complex situation with a sound bites culture that demands heroes and villains? Does our responsibility to defend Israel outweigh our right to engage meaningfully?  
11th and 12th Grade Virtual High School Program  
 

TEMPLE EMANUEL TO PARTICIPATE IN A NEW POST-CONFIRMATION VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL FOR 11th AND 12th GRADE STUDENTS

This year Post Confirmation students will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual High School with many of their peers from around the country. Temple Emanuel is one of the first congregations to sign up for this exciting new educational venue, offered by Gratz College of Philadelphia with a complete backing of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). 

Temple Emanuel students will meet at the Temple during Upper School on Tuesdays, November 8, December 13, January 10, February 21, March 13, April 10 and May 8.

For detailed information about the program and to sign up, please visit http://urj.org/teen/vhs/. You may also call either Itzik Eshel or Kathy Magenheim at 301-942-2000 at the Temple Emanuel to find out more or discuss any aspect of this program. 

For most teenagers today life is lived online! The URJ's new Virtual High School will offer 11th and 12th grade students the opportunity to participate in a virtual learning environment with their peers throughout North America, along with an in-person kallah experience.

  • Students may participate through their congregation or individually. See the list of participating congregations below.
  • Tuition: $750, includes one on-line course per semester and a three-day kallah.  (Contact Temple Emanuel to find out about a $250 rebate!)
  • Virtual High School is run in partnership with Gratz College, a pioneer in online Jewish education.
  • Participation is limited to the first 150 students registered, so sign up now!

Classes

See a full description of the online classes. Available classes include:

  1. Israel today - which will include sessions on campus advocacy lead by the Religious Action Center 
  2. Kabbalah
  3. Reform Judaism
  4. Hebrew
  5. Jewish Humor 
  6. Why the Jews? (Anti-Semitism) - for College Credit

Placement in classes will be on a first-come, first-placed basis. Classes will not have more than 15 students per section and must have a minimum of 5 students. 

Kallah

Kallot will be offered November 4th-6th at Jacobs Camp in Mississippi and March 23rd-25th at Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute in Wisconsin. Students may select either retreat. Learn more and see a sample schedule.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

When are classes held?

Whenever it works best for the student! Our classes are available 24/7 with no requirement to be in a particular place at a particular time each week. Generally students spend about 2 hours per week on class work.

Hebrew classes have a required live session each week.  This time appears on the course list for the particular semester. Students should be sure that they are generally available at the time their class meets. There is also expected work for Hebrew on students' own time. Students will need to participate in a mandatory orientation session prior to the start of the semester. 

Can I earn college credits?

One course each semester is designated as college credit course, and carries additional $100 tuition fee.  Additional course work is an expectation for college credit.  As with all such credits, acceptance of transfer credits is subject to each college's or university's own requirements. Additional information and requirements will be mailed upon registration.

Is special equipment needed?

No. A computer, internet connection and a word processor is all that is needed. Our virtual classroom is open 24/7, allowing students to access lectures, assignments and class discussions at any time.

10101 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895
Phone: (301) 942-2000 Fax: (301) 942-9488
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