2024-2025 Curriculum

The Jewish Studies curriculum includes one hour of core courses and one hour of elective courses per semester and is offered on Wednesday evenings. Students must attend two-thirds of their classes each semester to receive credit. Students must make up work to receive credit for their classes if they miss more than two-thirds of their semester. Students must complete make-up work for any Hebrew classes they miss.

SPRING 2025 COURSES
8th Grade Core: Moral Dilemmas
Students will examine moral dilemmas presented in our biblical texts and discuss their modern implications.

9th Grade Core: Holocaust Studies
Students will study the historical conditions that surrounded WWII and the Holocaust, along with stories of heroism and survival and the American and global responses. They will consider what aspects are unique to the Holocaust and what elements we see repeated throughout history.

10th and 11th Grade Core: Sophomore/Junior Seminar
Students will choose one of three tracks:

• Beit Midrash
  Our tradition teaches us not only to hear Torah but to engage with Torah. The chavruta method of Torah study is designed to foster that goal. After a brief introduction to the methodology of chavruta study, students will choose a text to explore in depth with a chavruta partner. Students will debate and ponder the text and look for modern applications of ancient texts.

• Jewish Social Justice
  After being introduced to a range of social justice issues, students will develop their own projects. Jewish tradition will inform the ways in which we seek to repair the world through real, actionable steps.
   
• Confirmation
  An opportunity to prepare for the life cycle event in the Reform tradition (offered for Temple Beth El students only).

12th Grade Core: Jewish Cooking
Food is often at the center of Jewish tradition. In addition to learning recipes and kitchen skills, students will discuss the historical context for each recipe as well as the role of Kashrut in Jewish life.

ELECTIVES
The electives offered vary each semester. Content is based on the expertise of available teachers and student feedback.

Spring 2025 Electives

Art

In Jewish Art, you will focus on learning art styles within Jewish culture while exploring key symbols in Judaism. These art styles may include paper cutting, mosaic, and more. Students will create their own art inspired by Jewish history and culture. No prior art skills are needed.

Drama

We’ll bring Israeli and Jewish culture to life with acting, improv, and storytelling! From reimagining history to performing modern tales, we’ll laugh, learn, and create together—no acting skills or Hebrew needed, just your creativity and energy! Maybe we'll even perform for our friends in other electives!

Humor

Jews and humor, they go together like Challah and grape juice. If you join this hilarious class, you'll learn about the GOATS of Jewish comedy - Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, Tiffany Haddish, Sid Caesar, Seth Rogan, and many more. Join in for wacky kahoots, goofy presentations, and entertaining clips of routines. Perhaps someone will want to do a stand-up... See you then!

O.M.G

The Battle Between Faith and Logic. This course will tackle the greatest theological questions humanity has been asking for thousands of years. Students will stand alongside ancient Jewish thinkers who’ve grappled with powerful existential questions about G-d, morality, and dealing with life’s challenges.

By bridging age-old Jewish wisdom with modern thinking, your teen will be better prepared to develop a system of personal principles that will guide and direct them throughout their life.

Openly discuss your questions revolving around faith and logic regarding the existence of G-D. Do science and Judaism conflict? Delve deeply into the Torah’s perspective on G-d, faith, and science and discover how they work hand in hand!

Examples of past electives that may be offered in future semesters are:

• Antisemitism in Social Media
• Ask Big Questions
• Drama
• Growth From The Core
• Inside Israel: The Stories You Don't Know About Israel But Probably Should
• Intro to Arabic Jewish
• Intro to Yiddish
• Israeli Film & TV
• Jewish Art
• Jewish Humor
• Jews in Sports
• Judaic Arts - Learn why and how we use Jewish ritual objects and create your own.
• Life After High School
• O.M.G. (An exploration of the God concept)
• Rikudei Am: Israeli Folk Dancing
• Shvil Yisrael: Exploring Israel
• Tzelem (A space for LGBTQ+ teens and allies) - The Tzelem program focuses on topics such as healthy relationships, stress, belonging, and identity; sessions also include opportunities to meet other teens and Jewish trans adult mentors and to discuss issues around transition and gender expression. The teens explore the issues through games, art, discussion, and by drawing on Jewish teachings. This program connects Jewish wisdom to social-emotional learning and contemporary understandings of gender and identity to help Jewish youth figure out who they are, develop a moral compass, and relate to others with compassion and respect.
• Women in Judaism

HEBREW (Elective)
This year, we are again offering optional Hebrew classes at different levels. Advancement from one class to another is expected and encouraged. Students can begin taking Hebrew in the fall anytime during their Midrasha career. Hebrew classes meet twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Questions? 
Email Logan Bookstaff, Midrasha Director at midrasha@jewishmadison.org