Gary Ginsburg

Students will work on building the skill set for advocacy and communication with an additional focus on the confluence of traditional Jewish values and where they fit in our current political landscape. The course will culminate with a trip to NYC where our teens will meet with AIPAC and other various advocacy groups.

Stephanie Fisher

This course, supported by the Chai Mitzvah curriculum,  includes text study that leads to meaningful discussions, suggestions for social action, and added meaning to ritual practices as well as activities on topics such as  Friendship, Humility, Gratitude, Trust, Compassion, Wisdom, Generosity and more.  Through this dynamic and meaningful course students will be building self esteem, Jewish identity, Jewish Literacy and be provided with opportunities for positive personal expression. Students in good standing in this course are eligible for a $2000 grant towards summer study in Israel for any trip that includes three shabbatot for the summer of 2019. This grant is not needs-based and can be combined with other grants.

Ofir Bendori Katz

Using the Israeli television show "Avoda Aravit", the students will get a glimpse into Israeli life and Arab Israeli interpersonal relationships, beyond politics.  Each week the students be given a synopsis of an episode, they will watch a short segment and then discuss similarities, differences, conflicts, stereotypes and the lifestyles of each population.

Stephanie Fisher

Usually translated as “repairing the world,” Tikkun Olam is a concept that we use to focus our attention on doing good deeds and community service. Students will practice Tikkun Olam, weaving it into an integral part of our educational experience by participating in weekly intergenerational programs and activities with seniors from the community. Students will not only be learning but living this Jewish principle. Part of our experience will also be the exploration of the concept of Tikkun Olam and different areas that fall under this large category and implementing our ideas into making Albany a better place.

Rivi Bahir

Do you ever watch Chopped and think, “I could do that!”? Do you love to cook or want to learn how? Here’s your chance to create delicious recipes while simultaneously learning Hebrew. In this class, the students will explore, prepare, and eat Israeli foods representing different ethnic culinary customs. Each session is conducted in English and Hebrew, and includes vocabulary words and a history lesson related to each recipe.

Participants will learn about Ashkenazi and Sephardic community cultures and their different styles of cooking.

Amy Rosenstrauch

This semester the will focus on artists Marc Chagall and David Hockney. The students will learn the techniques and styles and inspirations of Chagall. The emphasis will be on his stained glass windows designed for Hadassah Hospital and his cubistic style. Students will also create a photo-collage in the style of the artist David Hockney.

Arnon Adler

A lively and provocative discussion-based analysis of current events and significant topics of concern to us as Jewish high school students living in an ever-evolving national and international political, cultural and social scene. While experience has demonstrated that it is next to impossible to predict exactly what events and situations will arise in the United States, Israel and the world in the next few months that will merit our attention and review, a few topics are likely as we approach the Fall 2017 semester.