Life Long Learning Courses

Junior Academy Honors Course

Sundays, Monthly (See Calendar for exact dates) 5 p.m.–8 p.m.

(8 Life Long Learning Credits, 2 Community Credits)

This is a high level, intensive honors course on Social Justice and Judaism.  This course will explore classic and contemporary Jewish texts on Social action and Tikun Olam (repairing the world).  By the end of the year students will be able to discuss and explore contemporary issues facing our world through a Jewish lens.  Students will also have an opportunity to visit the Religious Action Center (the RAC) in Washington D.C.

Holocaust Course

Sundays, Monthly (See Calendar for exact dates) 5 p.m.–8 p.m.

(8 Life Long Learning Credits, 2 Credits Community Credits)

This class will explore one of the darkest periods in our peoples history.  The class will cover everything about the Holocaust: from Hitler’s rise to power, to Anti-Semitism, to the creation of the state of Israel. Students will study the Holocaust through the lens of challenging theological questions. Why do bad things happen?  Where was/is God?  Do we have free will or is everything predetermined?

Academy Honors class

Sundays, exact time and date TBD

(8 Life Long Learning Credits and 2 Community Credits)

This is an advanced level course on Social Justice and Judaism.  Studying with Rabbi Stern, students will see how Jewish texts and traditions create an imperative for doing the work of tikkun olam.  The challenge of living as a Jews calls upon Jews to be Or la-goyim a light to the nations acting in the world in a way that makes the world a better place for all people.  What is the difference between Social Action and Social Justice?  Why are both important and why are they imperatives and priorities (even over ritual law) in the Reform Jewish traditions?   Students who continue in advanced Judaica into High School will be invited to travel to Washington with Rabbi Stern to attend the L'taken Social Justice Seminar sponsored by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

Rosh Hodesh: It's a girl thing!

Sundays, Monthly (See Calendar for exact dates) 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
Grade 7 - 9 GIRLS only

(8 Life Long Learning Credits and 2 Community Credits)

Rosh Hodesh: It’s a girl thing! uses Jewish teaching and engaging activities to help adolescent girls in grades 6-12 grapple with the life issues they care about most, including body image, popularity, friendship, romantic relationships, and decision-making. In the process, the girls are inspired to form personal Jewish identities.

The Gever Group

Sundays, Monthly (See Calendar for exact dates) 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
Grade 7 - 9 BOYS only

(8 Life Long Learning Credits and 2 Community Credits)

You will explore the multifaceted relationship roles of men through Jewish and contemporary text.  This course will explore what it means to be a man in America and also a Jewish man: fitting in, being different, being responsible and wide variety of other topics that young men grapple with on their journey into manhood.

SOCIAL Action EVENTS

Social Justice projects

During the year the Academy sponsors at least four Social Justice Projects.  Each project lasts approximately 5 hours and can ultimately earn the participant up to 20 hours of community service credits in a secular school.  We ask students to participate in at least one of the four Social Justice projects.   For more information contact the Academy office.

Look around the Temple and Milken Community High School for other Academy Social Justice projects to help complete a few hours every month.

EMY RETREAT WEEKENDS

Junior Academy Shabbatons

Junior Academy Shabbaton Trip to San Francisco, April 1-2, 2011
(2 credits in each pillar)

Come spend the weekend up in Northern California with the Temple as we visit San Francisco and the Bay area.  The weekend will be full of fun activities and socializing opportunities and food. Students will receive 10 credits total, 2 credits in each pillar, for use towards completing their Junior Academy requirement.

COMMUNITY/SOCIAL EVENTS

In our busy and hectic lives it is important to come together as a community and have fun.  This year we have a wide variety of activities planned for our youth to get together, bond and have fun.  Please check the calendar for activities and dates of the social events through out the year. As part of your tuition all of these events are paid for in advance.  We only ask that you RSVP so that we can make appropriate arrangements (i.e. hiring of staff, ordering tickets etc.)

Israel and Peoplehood 

NFTY (National Federation of Temple Youth)

(1-4 Israel and Peoplehood Credits)

Whether functioning as an organization, program, or youth movement, NFTY is a Reform Jewish community for high school students. Advised by a set of adult Jewish youth professionals, NFTY fosters leadership at the national, regional, and congregational level.  NFTYites forge and build friendships, lifelong Reform Jewish identities, and leadership skills through community building, worship, social action, and experiential youth-led Jewish educational programming. The Academy tuition covers the cost of your first NFTY weekend retreat. Check the calendar for the dates of the various NFTY retreats through out the year. Don't miss out on this great opportunity!

MOTL (March of the Living)  

(4 Israel and Peoplehood Credits)                                          

The March of the Living is an international, educational program that brings Jewish teens from all over the world to Poland on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, to march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest concentration camp complex built during World War II, and then to Israel to observe Yom HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day, and Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day.

The goal of the March of the Living is for these young people to learn the lessons of the Holocaust and to lead the Jewish people into the future vowing Never Again.  Visit www.motl.org for more information.  

EIE High School Semester in Israel 

(4 Israel and Peoplehood Credits)

High school sophomores, juniors and seniors will spend an unforgettable semester immersed in the culture and history of Israel.  Through accredited courses and small classes students can be assured that they will reintegrate easily into their home high schools at semester’s end. Students are awarded academic credit.  Visit www.nftyisrael.org/eie/ for more information.
(4 Israel/Peoplehood Credits)

Israeli Film Festival

(4 Israel and Peoplehood Credits)

The mission of the Israel Film Festival is to spotlight Israel¹s thriving film and television industry, to enrich the American vision of Israel¹s social and cultural diversity and to advance tolerance and understanding. In the last two decades, more than 600 films have been enjoyed by over 650,000 film enthusiasts in Los Angeles, Miami, New York. 

Other Opportunities to earn Credits 

Camp Mahanayim Counselor or CIT

(2 community credits applied to the Academic Year of your choice!)

Camp Mahanayim is Stephen Wise Temple’s summer camp for kids ranging from pre-school to grade 6.  A person is eligible to become staff the summer after finishing 9^th grade. It is a great way to gain valuable leadership experience, make new friends, and learn from the campers and other staff, all while having fun. Visit www.WiseLA.org/summercamps for more information. 
 

Family Camp Counselor

(2 Community Credits)                                                              

Family Camp Weekend similar to a Shabbaton where families gather, have programs, activities, games, and a relaxing weekend. It is held in Camp Ramah in Ojai over the weekend.  Kids ages 5 and up have the option of sleeping in cabins with their friends, supervised by counselors.  Counselors are expected to run programs during the day, help facilitate other all family programs, and watch the kids at night. It is a wonderful weekend camp experience for which you can earn community service.  

Center for Jewish Life

 (1 Lifelong Learning credit/lecture)

Stephen S. Wise Temple’s Center for Jewish Life offers a compelling series of lectures, dialogues and courses.   Speakers from around the world confront critical issues that face the Jewish community and the world at large.  Our courses offer opportunities for deeper inquiry into a variety of subjects.  For further information, including a brochure of programs, call 1.888 380.WISE (9473). 

Serve as a Madrich/ah

(2 Community Credits)

If you are entering grades 8-12, you may apply to be in our Madrichim Program.  As a Madrich/Madricha, you will have the opportunity to assist teachers, work one-on-one with students, and help with school-wide programs. And what will you gain from an experience such as this?

• Learn to delegate tasks, communicate effectively, take responsibility (a great skill for leading school clubs or sport teams)
• Learn to command the attention of a room (a great skill for classroom or internship presentations)
• Gain invaluable adult skills: patience, sensitivity, creativity, spontaneity (great qualities that will shine in interviews and inter-personal relationships!)

Call Jill Rosenberg-Price in the Religious School office for an application.  JPrice@WiseLA.org or 310.889.2211