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Stages of Spiritual Growth elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Aliza Burg |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: |
Hashkafa
In Tomer Devorah we teach authenticity. Be the real you. The true you. But how can we be authentic, how can we be truly ourselves? How do we cultivate and honor authentic self expression? And how do we balance that will submission to the Divine Will? In this shiur, we will explore a Torah true and Psychologically healthy pathway to developing the Self which will include individual self-expression balanced with our deep human need to connect with the Divine. We will learn what it means to be truly a growth oriented person, ultimately unleashing the real you.
Structure of the Soul elective
| Course supervisor: Rabbi YY Wenglin |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Attendance |
Hashkafa
Did you ever wonder what life is all about? No, never, Rabbi. Okay, okay. Did you ever wonder what your purpose is or what you’re supposed to be doing with your life? Wow, Rabbi, I never thought of that! Thanks! Okay, okay. Drawing from deeper parts of Torah, this class will both offer you some clarity on some of these big-picture issues, and at the same time break things down to the nuts and bolts of character development as the focal point of life. You will learn that you are in this world in a relationship with Hashem and you can deepen and strengthen that relationship by tapping into the spiritual power of your neshama, your soul. In addition to covering the basics of spiritual reality, this class will train you in the use of some practical tools – such as davening, meditation, and role playing – to help you understand yourselves, your role in the world, and even Hashem. Please note that this class is meant for students who are serious about growth, able to embrace new ideas, and willing to stretch themselves to try new growth-oriented experiences.
Taamei Hamitzvot elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Shelly Padowitz |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Attendance |
Hashkafa
Each class will deal with a different mitzvah- taking it from its initial source in the text through the system of texts and commentaries (full sources given and explained in every class) with analysis to understand how it applies to us practically and personally. Making theoretic ideas and complicated rules real and tangible where it’s usually hard to grasp.
Tanya elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Shiffy Klein |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Attendance |
Hashkafa
In this course, we will delve into Sefer HaTanya through the broader lens of Chassidut as a whole; using the revolutionary work as a means of living with Hashem in our daily lives. Following the derech of the Baal HaTanya, together we will grapple with the deepest questions in the heart of a Jew, and use them to better understand each of our specific places and unique roles in Avodat Hashem.
Tefilla BM elective
| Course supervisor: Rabbi J. Oratz |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Course-long project |
Beit Midrash Independent Studies, Halacha, Hashkafa
Tefilla is probably one of the hardest Mitzvos to properly fulfill. Both intensely personal and yet very communal. Our very relationship with Hashem is challenged every day. Part of the course is learning hilchos tefila. The other part is learning the hashkafa of davening and meaning of what we say. You will have an opportunity to keep a journal of your personal growth in this most fundamental aspect of your Avodas Hashem. (This beis medrash class fulfills a halacha requirement.)
Tefillah elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Pearly Hausman |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Attendance |
Mechanechet
This course examines the daily prayers and their meaning. Recognizing that tefillah constitutes a central part of man’s relationship with his Creator, a strong emphasis is placed on nurturing the role of tefillah in that relationship. The core prayers studied are Birchot Hashachar, Pesukei Dizimra, Shema, and Shemoneh Esrei. The class stresses how important understanding the words of tefillah is, while teaching the basic Halachah pertaining to everyday tefillah.
Tefilot Shabbat elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Tamara Pearl |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Attendance |
Weekly Shabbat prayers have many unique facets. Through exploring these beautiful tefilot, we will come to appreciate the depth and kedusha that Shabbat brings with it each week.
Tehillim core
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Rivka Lichtman |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Tests |
Tanach
A holistic look at Tehillim that focuses on the relevance of David HaMelech’s songs to our lives today. We will use the text as a springboard to discuss many applications of Tehillim to everyday challenges, joys, disappointments and struggles using a combination of meforshim, real-life anecdotes and humor.
Tehillim BM elective
| Course supervisor: Rabbi J. Oratz |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Coursework all semester |
Beit Midrash Independent Studies, Tanach
In this Beit Midrash course, you will be asked to delve into the mefarshim on Sefer Tehillim. You will gain skills, insights and inspiration as you read the words of the rishonim and acharonim inside the original texts. You will draw out the beautiful messages of David Hamelech from both the ancient and modern commentaries.
The Joy of Being a Jew core
| Course supervisor: Rabbi YY Wenglin |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Attendance |
Hashkafa, Night Class
Let’s face it: it’s simply more exciting to go to a concert or ballgame or a party than it is to daven Shacharis. Or to take challah. Or to keep Shabbos. Or to… You get the point. In this shiur — G-d willing! — we will start with some basics of Jewish hashkafa and then progress to deeper ideas of Kabbalah/Chassidus to help us understand ourselves and our relationship with Hashem. The world will slowly become for us a place that is filled with His holiness and wisdom, one-hundred percent suited for intense closeness and attachment to Him. Anticipated topics include truth, our deep desires in life, self-esteem, spiritual reality, emotions, davening, Shabbos, and, of course, much more. Experience shows that once a Jew gains a greater appreciation and internalization of deeper ideas in Judaism, her joy from being Jewish increases proportionately. Who knows, you might even walk away from this shiur knowing how to make an “asher yatzar” with the same simcha and passion as if you won America Idol!
Threats to Judaism elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Miriam Rosen |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Attendance |
Mechanechet
In this class, we will discuss episodes in Jewish History where the influence and the stability of the Baalei HaMesorah, the Rabbinic authority, is threatened. We will analyze the historical context of each episode, the impact of the threat and the response of the Gedolim. Topics covered will include the Tzedukim (Sadducees), Christianity, false messiahs, Reform, among others.
Through the Lens elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs Michal Trenk |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: |
Toldot M elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Tovi Lobel |
Hours per week: 2 |
Method of evaluation: Tests/Final |
Tanach
In this journey through Parshat Toldot we’ll re-explore the familiar scenes through a new lens, asking the question: Why did the Torah take the time to tell us this? With the help of meforshim we’ll gain a nuanced understanding of the lessons hidden beneath the surface that are timeless, relevant and vital to avodat Hashem in every generation.
Torah Horoscopes core
| Course supervisor: |
Hours per week: |
Method of evaluation: |
Hashkafa
Can a regular Jew – meaning someone like you and me, not a prophet – actually predict the future? What role does astrology play in Jewish thought? We all probably know that Rosh Ha-Shanah is in the Fall (Tishrei), Pesach is in the Spring (Nisan), and Tishah Be-Av is in the Summer… but why? What is the real spiritual reason why these times of the year are the right times for these chagim, and how can that help us understand the unique power of each of these months? In this fascinating course, we will look at the Jewish approach to time. We will explore the unique potential of each Jewish month, and you will discover practical insights that will enable you to tap into the spiritual power of each time of year.
Travelling Through Nach elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs Michla Steinberg |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Tests/Final |
Eretz Yisrael, Tanach
By using the stories of Nach and with the help of a map, we will travel through time and place, and bring our nation’s history “down to earth.” We will learn to match stories and events to their places and settings in Eretz Yisrael, so that, for example, the next time you pass Yericho, you will easily envision the Cohanim walking around its walls, and be familiar with Yericho’s location on the map.
Ulpan elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Michal Trenk |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Class participation, activities and experiential assignments |
Eretz Yisrael
This is a beginner’s course which involves an experiential, interactive exploration of modern Hebrew as a spoken language.
The course is aimed to improve students’ ability to understand and converse in a modern visit. The course focuses on grammar and word building as well as improving vocabulary. The main goal of the course on both levels is to afford the students a sense of confidence and familiarity with spoken Hebrew so they are able to make use of the knowledge they possess.
Value and Values elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Rivka Lichtman |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Attendance |
Hashkafa
In this class we will explore the value of money and the role it plays in our lives. We will learn practical budgeting skills, the psychology of spending and how this all affects our spiritual aspirations.
Word Power elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Reena Karsh |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Attendance |
Hashkafa, Mechanechet
This class will encourage diving deep into our minds to discover the psychology behind why we say what we say (or shouldn’t say), understanding how our speech reflects our self esteem and how the Torah’s wisdom guides us to be the best version of ourselves.
Yechezkel elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Raizy Spingarn |
Hours per week: 2 |
Method of evaluation: Tests/Final |
Tanach
The Navi Yechezkel, prophesied during a transitional time for Klal Yisrael. His prophecies forewarned the coming destruction of the first Bais Hamikdash, but also contained messages of hope and love as Klal Yisrael was led into Galus Bavel. The study and exploration of Sefer Yechezkel, with its incredible relevance to our times, will lead the class into thought provoking discussions and will help guide us in our personal journeys and lives.
Yirmiyahu elective
| Course supervisor: Mrs. Gabi Horovitz |
Hours per week: 2 |
Method of evaluation: Test and assignment |
Tanach
This class is an in depth study of Sefer Yirmiyahu. Using the analysis of both the Rishonim and Achronim, we will try to learn from Yirmiyahu’s character and the impact his words are supposed to have on us today. We will compare the very first galut after becoming a nation with our current galut in both a spiritual and psychological way – hopefully practically applying the major life lessons that are liberally gifted to us throughout the text.
שמונה פרקים M elective
| Course supervisor: Rabbi A. Fink |
Hours per week: 1 |
Method of evaluation: Attendance |
Hashkafa
Shemona Prakim is the Rambam’s introduction to Pirkei Avot. These Eight Chapters reflect the Rambam’s philosophical approach to life and focus on the essence of our humanity, middot and character development and the power of bechira.