Tuesdays, 6:45-7:45 p.m. weekly. $118/trimester elective series, or $325/full year.
Learning-focused electives taught by talented faculty including Rabbi Brusso, Robin Wald, Loen Amer, and more! Teen Quest is also included in Nosh and Drash, or teens can opt to participate in only the Teen Quest of their choice. Teen Quest choices will change each trimester. Includes pizza dinner.
Nosh and Drash with pizza – 6:00-6:45
Hafsakah (Break) – 6:45-6:50 (including pizza for Teen Questers)
Teen Quest Class – 6:50-7:45
OPENING SESSION / TASTE OF TEEN QUEST
Tuesday, October 9
TRIMESTER ALEPH
Tuesdays, October 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 27, December 4, 11, and 18
Choice of:
TRIMESTER BET
Tuesday, January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 26, and March 5
Choice of:
TRIMESTER GIMEL
Tuesday, March 12, 19, 26, April 9, 16, 30, May 7 and 14
(Teen Quest/Nosh and Drash do not meet April 2. Teens encouraged to attend screening of Who Will Write Our History on Wednesday, April 3.)
Choice of:
Tuesday, May 21
Click here for the calendar of other TLC and Youth events.
FRIEND AND ENEMY WITH RABBI BRUSSO
What does it mean to be a good friend? How do we handle difficult people? Relationships are complicated, how do we separate the good ones from the bad ones?
HEROINES OF JUDAISM WITH ROBIN WALD
Are you courageous like Judith? A brilliant and fair judge like Deborah? A person who communicates and aligns with God’s will like Rebecca? An inspirational leader like Miriam? A loyal and generous friend like Ruth? A person who refuses to be in unequal submission to another like Lillith? Do you know how to use your resources wisely to seek justice like Tamar? In this Teen Quest, we will discuss the stories of powerful female role models in the Tanach as archetypes to empower and understand ourselves better.
JEWISH LENS 3.0 (FOR ALL ARTISTS) WITH ROBIN WALD
What does your connection to Judaism look like, sound like, move like, feel like to you? Does it have color, rhythm, texture, spatial dimension? In this Teen Quest, you will explore your Jewish identity through any choice or combination of mediums (drawing, painting, photography, music, dance, poetry, sculpture, spoken word or others.) We will get inspiration from famous Jewish visual artists, musicians and poets who used their art-form to express their own Jewish stories. All students will have the opportunity to exhibit and present their work within the Bet Torah community.
JEWISH MAGIC AND MYSTICISM WITH ROBIN WALD
Did you know that all modern Western magical practices, including astrology, Tarot, numerology, dream divination, and angelology have their roots in the Torah, Talmud and Jewish mystical/magical tradition known as Kabbalah? In this class, you will learn about the ancient, medieval and modern Jewish history and practice of magical techniques. What is allowable or prohibited in Judaism as it relates to trying to divine God’s will? How are astrology, gematria and Kabbalistic teachings useful and relevant in helping you understand your own soul purpose and choices?
JEWS AND IMMIGRATION: THEN AND NOW WITH GUY AMDUR
This class will explore the complex issue of immigration. You will learn why and how this problem has persisted throughout time and across all regions. Our Jewish ancestors are commonly viewed as nomadic. This was due to the fact that many communities throughout the ancient and modern world did not warmly welcome us. Today many different communities are forced to flee their homelands, many due to religious and ethnic intolerance or unsafe/unstable living conditions. Sadly, many are viewed with hate and/or inferior to the general population. We will view news clips, current events, engage in lively discussion and debate some of the key issues.
MOCK BEIT DIN (MOOT COURT) WITH GUY AMDUR
Our rabbinic court or house of judgment was the ancient Jewish authority when it came to questions about living day-to-day. While their authority was always the final word in ancient times, they still play an important role in lives of religious Diaspora Jews today. In this class, we will debate current and relevant topics, everything from gun control to school dress codes – but rather than looking at only the sides for and against, we will also consider what scripture has to say… That’s right, through your collective research we will see how the Beit Din would respond for the times in which we now live.
OUTCASTS, OUTSIDERS AND REBELS IN THE TORAH WITH RABBI AARON BRUSSO
Many of the main characters we meet in the Torah are on the margins of society. Why is that? What are we supposed to learn from them?
If you’re a foodie, then this class is for you. We will focus on the foods commonly associated with the Jewish culture, everything from “kosher-style” to traditional kashrut, from both Ashkenazic and Sephardic backgrounds. We will not only gain a better understanding of and appreciation for the great variety of dishes loved by Jews throughout history and today, but we will also consider the role food has played–and continues to play–in Jewish holidays and traditions. Lastly, as well-informed students of nutrition and members of Generation Z, you will have the chance to envision the way to honor our food-bound traditions in the years to come. Three cooking sessions included.