Temple Sinai Hebrew High School Curriculum

Temple Sinai Religious School Hebrew High School (8-10th Grade) Class Curriculum  2021-22

8th Grade: Comparative Religion and Current Events and is taught by Beth Nelson.

Religion means different things to different people. The study of other religions can be most effective when one begins from his/her own religious tradition. In our case, having an understanding of the way that key religious concepts manifest in Judaism will give us a starting point to return to as we study our traditions. It can also help us turn a critical eye toward Judaism, deepening our understanding of what Judaism is all about. The students will complete a 7-element chart for each religion learned over the course of the year and it will be used as a visual aid when comparing the religions. The elements are God and Faith, Authority and Leadership, Revelation, Celebration, Salvation, The Meaning of Life and Core Values.  Students will be using the textbook "Apples and Oranges: Judaism and the World's Religions" by Rabbi David S. Lieb.

VISITS: Unitarian Church, Catholic Church, and Mosque here in Sharon. The year will culminate in an overnight trip to NYC. On this trip we will visit the largest Reform temple in NY, the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side, Borough Park (Ultra-Orthodox community) and of course some other not to be missed sites!
 
The 9th/10th grade is a combined class with a two-year curriculum that alternates from the topics below and is taught by Rabbi Meszler.
 
Year A: “If I am not for Myself…”   This curriculum focuses on issues of character, self-esteem, sexuality, and identity. Judaism has long had a history of discussing middot, values of personal conduct. As Hillel said 2000 years ago, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?”  We hope that our young people will be able to see the synagogue as a safe place of discovery when confronting issues of personal ethics. In addition, we help students make personal and meaningful connections between Israel and their own Jewish identity.
 
 
Year B: “Jewish Ethics in the 21st Century” Students study with Rabbi Meszler during their confirmation year.  They address the Jewish view of social issues such as abortion, the death penalty, gun violence, war, dating, social media and the environment. 
 
The Confirmation year (10th grade) includes a long weekend in Washington, DC with the Religious Action of Reform Judaism’s L’Taken seminar to learn about social justice and advocacy, including actual lobbying visits on Capitol Hill. Students lead the Confirmation service on Erev Shavuot, the holiday that recalls the giving of the Ten Commands on Mount Sinai.

TRIP: The RAC (Religion Action Center) trip to Washington, DC is the highlight of the Confirmation year. Students meet 400 other teens from across the country to learn together, pray together, sightsee and most importantly lobby their state’s congressman on today’s top issues.  It is a rewarding experience for all students!

In its 4th YEAR (9th-12th Grade): We now offer at trip to learn about Jews and the Civil Rights.  This trip takes place over 4 days during February vacation. Students will visit Atlanta, GA, Montgomery and Birmingham, AL.  This is a one-of-a-kind trip and is full of learning opportunities as well as fun and friendship!