Nesiya -- Temple Beth Or High School
With 40 students our new high school program sets the standard.
Nesiya is a cool and inviting look at modern Judaism with a creative twist.
The high school years are of utmost importance to us at Temple Beth Or. Our 9th –12th grade programs seek to establish in each of our students a sense of Jewish identity and the importance of their spiritual journey. NESIYA means journey, for our teenagers are preparing to embark upon an important and powerful journey of self-realization and self- discovery. As we prepare them for their physical journeys away from home, we hope to equip them with the tools and insights they need to venture into the Jewish world.
9th Grade
The journey begins with our 9th grade program of Jewish Identity and Culture Project. The class will examine the role of Judaism as both a religion and a culture to its adherents. Students will look at modern Judaism through the lens of 21st century media and entertainment; learn Jewish cooking while studying our history and holidays; create their own Jewish Identity projects.
Confirmation
The Nesiya continues in our Confirmation year in 10th grade where Jewish texts will come alive with bi weekly in depth study with Rabbi Chessin on issues that face Jews in their contemporary lives. Ancient stories are brought to bear on the modern day dilemmas, which face our Jewish teens. This is a seminar style course culminates in a worship service created by our 10th graders as they confirm their choice of Judaism as young adults.
11th and 12th Grades
Our Post-confirmation Students prepare for the next more mobile stage in their journeys. When they go to college or out into the work force, they will interact with peers from diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Nevertheless, when they are talking with their friends and questions come up about what Judaism believes in, will they know how to answer? Will they be able to explain Reform Judaism when faced with challenges from their more traditional Jewish peers? We teach in our schools the importance of the Land of Israel, but do we give our students the necessary knowledge about the complexity of the situation to face the attacks from campus anti-Zionists?
Our 11th and 12th grade students will be able to explore their spiritual and theological paths with both of our rabbis. In a monthly session they will explore not just Jewish liturgy, but explore what Jewish worship, prayer and meditation say and do to them! They will study not just who and what is a Jew, but define their own vision and sense of their Jewish future in our world. We will accomplish this through a lively seminar approach, food , debate, retreats and an out of town trip. The students will also be afforded opportunities to teach their new insights in our religious school, under the supervision of Rabbi Burstein.
We are looking forward to providing food for their bodies, minds and souls as they prepare for the NESIYA, their Jewish journey ahead.