Important Announcements

 

Camp Fair!!

Sunday, January 29 | 5:30 p.m. | Hershenson Hall

Looking for summer plans? Ever been to sleepaway camp? Check out the numerous options for Jewish teens at our Camp Fair before the next class. Camps from all over California including Camp Newman, Camp Ramah, Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps, Camp Alonim, and Camp JCA Shalom will be here to give you a taste of summer!  

 

 

Academy Monthly Class| Meet in Hershenson Hall

After the Camp Fair and some dinner we will break out into our individual classes. Pick up is at 8:30 p.m. in the carpool circle! 

 

Upcoming Programs

Social Justice #3: Tu BiShevat!

Academy Grades 7-10

Sunday, February 12 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Meet in the Youth Lounge 

Join us for a fun, community building Tu BiSh'vat field trip with the Religious School students. Grades 4-6 will be joining us for a trip to JCA Shalom in Malibu. There will be a hike, tree planting, a bicycle blender and much more! Lunch is included. (We will sign for your community service)   

RSVP

 

 

Monthly Life Long Learning Session- Jewish World Watch 

Academy Grades 7-10

January 29 | 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. | Hershenson Hall

This month we will have a special guest for our Community Hour. Jewish World Watch will be joining us to talk about the refugees in Darfur and the Solar Cooker Project.  Dinner is provided.

RSVP

 Opportunities in the Community

 

It’sWomen Hold Up Half the Sky
Skirball Cultural Center | March 11 at 1:30 p.m.

Inspired by the bestselling book Half the Sky, by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the groundbreaking new exhibition Women Hold Up Half the Sky addresses gender equality as the human rights cause of our time—and boldly asserts that change is possible...and it can happen quickly. Rosh Hodesh classes have a tour scheduled in March. RSVP by January 27. RoHo girls only ($7 per person) 

 

jTeenLA FilmFest

The top 5 teen film entries will have a special screening as part of the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival on May 6, 2012 at Laemmle's Town Center 5 in Encino! Enter your film via http://tinyurl.com/455todf. For more information about the jTeenLA FilmFest, please email Elenna King at eking@bjela.org or call 323.761.8617.

 

 

prOGRAM gUIDE

Life Long Learning Courses (attend 8 of 10 classes)

Rosh Hodesh: It’s a girl thing! 

Grades 7-10

Rosh Hodesh  uses Jewish teaching and engaging activities to help adolescent girls 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 and build life-long friendships. Rosh Hodesh gives girls a chance to have real conversations with a small group of friends about topics and issues that matter to them.  If you want fun, laughter, friendship, crafts, TV, food, drama, meaningful experiences and a chance to relax, this group is for you!

 

The Gever Guys Group

Grades 7-10

The Gever Guys Group is an all boy class that explores our tradition’s wisdom for Jewish men to guide them in their journey into manhood. Ancient and contemporary text will be used to investigate what it means to be a young Jewish man in America, and develop a strong connection to the State of Israel.  This class will cultivate a sense of brotherhood and pride in being a Gever! If you like “hanging with the guys” and learning in an active environment this is your class!

 

WiseStudio

Grade 7

Under guidance from Israeli film director and Jewish educator, Ye’ela Rosenfeld, WiseStudio students will write, perform, direct, shoot and edit three short Jewish film projects to creatively express their Jewish values, identity and experiences as a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.  Two to four hours additional time outside of the monthly classes may be required. If you like film, drama and working on projects in teams, this class is the perfect way to connect Judaism to your life.

 

Academy Honors Course

Grades 8-10

This is a high level, intensive honors course on Social Justice and Judaism with Rabbi Ron Stern.  This course will explore classic and contemporary Jewish texts on Social action and Tikkun 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.  In addition, students will also have an opportunity to visit the Religious Action Center (the RAC) in Washington D.C.

 

Social Justice projects (Attend three of four)

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 three of the four Social Justice projects.  

 

COMMUNITY/SOCIAL EVENTS (Attend three a year)

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 enjoy life.  Please check the social calendar and monthly e-mails 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 (attend three a year)

 Israel Programs at Wise

Credit Crunchers (Social events to follow Service or Program)

Junior Academy (Grades 7&8)

 

Academy (Grades 9&10)

 

 

AIPAC at Wise

December 4, 2011 the American Israel Public Affairs Committee joins the Stephen S. Wise Community for  an inspirational and educational afternoon that will enhance your personal connection to Israel and help ensure that our community and America continue to show Israel support.

 

NFTY for Grades 9-12 (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!

Israeli Film Festival

(4 Israel and Peoplehood Credits)

The mission of the Israel Film Festival is to spotlight Israel’s 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. 

 

Worship and Spirituality (attend six services a year)

Cultivate your spiritual self by attending Holiday, Shabbat, or Minyan services at the temple. Youth Group events are often scheduled on Fridays after services so you can attend two (or three!) programs in one night.

Friday Night Shabbat Services are at 6:15 p.m. (first Friday of the month is a family service)

Shabbat Morning Minyanim are at 10 a.m.

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

• 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!