BEIT MIDRASH HEBREW HIGH SCHOOL

CURRICULUM AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Beit Midrash offers a well-rounded Jewish Studies curriculum that combines core classes (required) and electives
in the content areas of History, Israel, Torah & Text, Jewish Living, Hebrew, Liturgy & Practice, Philosophy and the
Arts.

8th Grade

Our 8th grade curriculum is a prescribed program that includes classes in the history of pre-1948 Israel, Tikkun
Olam, repairing our world, and understanding the various movements within Judaism.

9th Grade

Ninth graders are required to take two core classes, and have the opportunity to select two electives. One requisite
class covers the history of Israel since 1948 and will include discussions on the Mideast conflict. For the student
who wants a greater challenge, this class is offered at an Honors level. The second core requirement is a class in
Holocaust studies. Students may choose between Survivor or Hear No Evil, See No Evil, a study of genocide in
the global arena.

10th and 11th Grades

Tenth graders from the Reform synagogue and eleventh graders from the Conservative synagogues must register
for their respective Confirmation class. In addition, they may select one elective each semester. Tenth and 11th
graders not participating in Confirmation may take electives for all classes.

12th Grade

Twelfth graders may take all electives. There are several new classes being offered this year, some to include text
study in Hebrew, to challenge our seniors.

Early Edition

This double semester course is designed for students who wish to study above and beyond the required Beit
Midrash curriculum. It meets each week, prior to the First Hour class schedule.

COMING SOON…

The Beit Midrash Committee, consisting of both lay and professional leaders from each of our partner
congregations, is committed to providing the highest quality Jewish education possible for our community’s
teenagers. To that end, over the course of the coming months, the committee will be working to establish an
Honors Program that will challenge those students who want more in-depth, intensive Jewish learning.

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 COURSE OFFERINGS
Early Edition

Rak Ivrit (9th-12th grade only) Hebrew

You’ve studied Hebrew for a while, can read and write fluently, speak pretty well, and want to improve your
skills. This intensive, Ulpan class is for you! Focusing on advanced conversational skills including vocabulary, past
and future tense, and grammar, this class is conducted entirely in Hebrew.

8th Grade
(All classes are required)

“The Four Chaverim: One for All and All for One” Moving through the Movements of Judaism
Liturgy & Practice

This class provides an opportunity for students to explore the similarities and differences in observance of our
Jewish faith. Throughout the course, students will travel to different local synagogues in order to familiarize
themselves with locations and traditions. Transportation will be provided.

Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) Jewish Living

This course provides students the opportunities to study, learn, and apply mitzvot in their daily lives. This practical
class teaches students that sticking their necks out and performing mitzvot will make their lives more rich and
meaningful.

The History of Israel, Pre-1948 Israel, History

This class takes students through the history of Israel beginning in biblical times, continuing with the ancient,
medieval and pre-modern eras, through the Holocaust, and up to the establishment of an independent Jewish
state. This dynamic team-taught course offers discussion, engaging activities, and hands-on learning for all eighth
graders.

9th Grade

(Required classes)

Israel: 1948-Present Israel, History

Our Jewish State has evolved quickly in the last 58 years. From the kibbutz movement through the disengagement
process of last summer to the current conflict in northern Israel and Lebanon, Israel has lived a volatile and tenuous
life - yet managed to become a thriving modern nation. This class will explore the varied history and culture of Israel
from her founding to the present. Topics will include confrontations, daily life, religious observance, teen life and so
much more. *

* Honors level class may include additional readings and occasional homework assignments, with the expectation
of exemplary behavior and participation.
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Choose one of the following two options:

Survivor Holocaust

This course will study the Holocaust through the eyes of those who survived its atrocities. Students hear the stories
of Holocaust survivors through literature, text, Power Point presentations and personal accounts.

Hear No Evil, See No Evil Holocaust

Never has there been a methodical plan to eliminate an entire group of people like there was in Nazi Germany. Has
our world learned anything from the Holocaust? Often people wonder – how could this happen again? Yet,
genocide has continued around the world from Cambodia to Darfur to Iraq to Rawanda. This class explores global
reaction to genocide and looks at what our world has learned – and not learned - from the Holocaust.

Confirmation Studies

Confirmation Jewish Living, Liturgy & Practice

Required for all 10th grade Reform synagogue confirmation students.

Required for all 11th grade Conservative synagogue confirmation students.

Electives

9th—12th Grades

Mah Zeh—What’s This? Conversational Hebrew I Hebrew

This introductory level class teaches basic conversational Hebrew. Learn how to find your way around your beit
sefer (school), talk to your chaverim (friends), go out for aruchat erev (dinner) and ask some very important sh’eilot
(questions). Improve your Hebrew skills in this interactive class.

Israel: 1948-Present* (required for all 9th graders) Israel, History

* Honors level class may include additional readings and occasional homework assignments, with the expectation
of exemplary behavior and participation.

Survivor Holocaust

Hear No Evil, See No Evil

Holocaust

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Jewish Folklore and Short Stories Arts

The Wise Men of Chelm, Yentl the Yeshiva Boy, The Two Brothers, and more. The stories of a people can teach a
great deal about the culture of that people, and our culture is rich with stories. Learn more about our Jewish
heritage from midrash, Yiddishkite, and folklore.

Contemporary Issues and Judaism Philosophy, Torah & Text

The death penalty, the role of Jews in politics, what is a “just war,” stem cell research and issues of medical ethics
are just a few of the topics that will be addressed in this class. In addition to discussing Judaism’s position in the
context of today’s society, participants explore issues through the eyes of Jewish texts throughout the ages.

The “Weekest” Link Torah & Text

Our weekly Torah portion comes alive in this class as we discuss the meaning behind the text. This class will delve
into contemporary issues, with Torah as the basis for understanding our modern world.

In The Beginning There Was . . . ART! Arts

Glimpse a facet of Jewish culture rarely explored and, at times, considered taboo - the creation of visual imagery.
Go beyond Kiddush cups and challah covers as we view mosaics, murals, paintings, graphic arts, illustrated books,
even comic books. Find out what makes Jewish art Jewish. Delve into the fascinating lives of the artists; even meet
some of Jacksonville’s Jewish artists. Create your own art. No experience necessary.

Think like a Rabbi Jewish Living, Torah & Text

We're going back to the basics. Food. Torah. Shema. Donkeys. Jerusalem. Telling time. Amidah. God. Climbing
trees. Falling out of boats. Two thousand years ago, a bunch of scholars set the norms for Judaism as we know it,
building a bridge between the Bible and their everyday experiences. Together we will explore their principles and
methods as refracted through the lens of Mishna Berakhot and other texts. "Think like a Rabbi" is a beginner’s level
text class that will build your confidence as someone who, having studied and understood mishna, will be able to
interpret Jewish life for yourself and for others. Some basic Hebrew will be used.

Pirke Avot: The Original Self-Help Book Torah & Text

“The world stands on three things: on Torah, on Service to God, and on Acts of Loving Kindness.” These familiar
words come from Pirke Avot, which can best be described as a guidebook for ethical daily living. Explore the gems
this book has to offer us and discuss the meaning it has for us in today’s world.

Jews in the News Culture and Community

Expect some heated debate and interesting discussions as students evaluate current events in our Jewish
world. From every corner of our Jewish globe, up to the minute news will be shared. Students respond to the media
when appropriate.

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Talmud and Teens Torah & Text

This course explores Jewish texts as we discuss such topics as abortion, drugs, the after-life, capital punishment,
Jesus, homosexuality, pre-marital sex, for example. Traditional verse-by- verse Talmud study of a particular
masechot (tractate) acclimates you to the world of rabbinic logic and thinking within the oral law.

Torah Yoga Jewish Living

"Torah Yoga" was created to incorporate classic Jewish wisdom into yoga instruction. The idea is to connect the
Jewish concepts of Shabbat, renewal, exodus, and more to specific yoga postures. In this learn-by-doing class,
students discover what Judaism and yoga have in common, and why Jews need to connect more to their bodies.

Ani M’daber/M’daberet Ivrit: Conversational Hebrew II Hebrew

Your conversational Hebrew’s pretty good, but you’re not yet ready for an intensive Ulpan program. This is your
opportunity to increase your Hebrew skills through song, simple newspaper articles, and of course,
conversation.

Teen Forum Jewish Living

This class provides the opportunity for teens to talk about real-life issues in a moderated setting. Conversation will
be open, honest, and respectful; problem-solving reflect Jewish values. Topics of discussion are student generated
and may include: mating and dating, substance abuse, body image, Jewish identity, school, and divorce.

From Torah to Today Jewish Living, Torah & Text, History

The Jewish laws (halacha) we follow today barely resemble the laws we find in the Torah. How did we get from
Torah to today? This class looks at the development of Jewish law from biblical and post-biblical times through the
redaction of the Mishnah and Talmud, and brings us to the present with a look at some Responsa literature.

Superman Was a Jew Culture and Community

Who knew? The creators of some of our favorite comic book stars—Superman, the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man,
Batman and the X-men - were Jewish. Students learn about how these creators designed characters and personas
to reflect Jewish values and ideals, as they look at how Jews transformed the comic book industry from 1938—
present. This class offers the opportunity to design your very own comics storyboards.

Jewish Jacksonville Culture and Community

Our community offers a wide array of services through our Jewish agencies. Learn the ins and outs of our Jewish
institutions from our very own community leaders who will be on hand to share their leadership expertise. (Guests
represent Jewish Family and Community Services, River Garden Home for the Aged, Jewish Community Alliance,
the Jacksonville Jewish Federation and the Jewish Foundation.)

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Mitzvot with Meaning: The Meaning of Mitzvot Jewish Living, Torah & Text

The Torah contains 613 mitzvot, or commandments, upon which the Mishnah and Talmud expound. We know what
many of the mitzvot are and how to do them, but have we thought about why we do them? In this class we explore
the meaning – the why – behind the mitzvot, leading participants to understand the commandments’ relevancy in
today’s world.

Israel and the Age of Innovation Israel, Culture & Community

Did you know that Israel, the 100th smallest country, with less than 1/100th of the world’s population, is ranked #2
in the world for venture capital funds? Did you know that Israelis possess the highest ratio of university degrees in
the world? That Israeli scientists developed the first fully computerized, non-radiation, diagnostic instrumentation
for breast cancer? That Israel designed the airline industry's most impenetrable flight security? Discover the
amazing, Nobel prize-winning achievements of Israel and its people – like the fact that the technology for AOL
Instant Messenger was developed in 1996 by four young Israelis. Embrace modern Israel; it’s so much more than
camels and Bedouin tents.