Academics

8th Graders – The Link

11:15 a.m.  – 12:15 p.m.
Teacher: Chuck Kahalnik

This is a digitally-interactive, experiential, online Israel curriculum that was developed by teachers to help students learn about Israel. It will help prepare for Ta’am Yisrael. Topics will include: Jewish Continuity, Israel By The Numbers, Diversity in Israel, Innovations and Technology, and Israel and You.

9th, 10th, 11th Graders – Creating Your Own Haggadah

11:15 a.m.  – 12:15 p.m.
Teacher:  Rabbi Alex Freedman

If you were the editor of a Passover Haggadah, what would yours add? Pictures? Stories? Poems? Illustrations? Each student will have the chance to create his/her own unique Haggadah in PDF and hard-copy form. We will learn about the text and rituals. Bring your own unique ideas!

8th, 9th, 10th, 11th Graders – Hot Topics: How Do I Decide?

12:20  – 1:15 p.m.
Teacher: Chuck Kahalnik 

Through discussion, small groups, and debate we will tackle topics of concern to Jewish teenagers today. Topics for discussion will include: Personal Responsibility, Me My Parents & My Teachers, Dishonesty, Justice, The Call to Action, Me & God, Risky Behavior, Park Weizel & Tutu, the Universalism of Particularism, and Environmental Studies.

10th & 11th Graders – The Torah Revolution

12:20  – 1:15 p.m.
Teacher:  Howard Turner

What does equality mean? For example, men and women are equal, but are they the same? The Torah says that God created mankind – both male and female – in His own image. This means that all people are equal, and entitled to respect. How do we deal with differences while preserving equality, freedom and human dignity for everyone? Students may suggest additional subjects for discussion that are related.

All Grades – All Year – Conversational Hebrew

12:20  – 1:15 p.m.
Teacher:  Silvi Freedson

If you have questions about your Hebrew placement, please contact Dr. Alicia Gejman.

8th Graders – Jewish Media & the Movies

11:15 a.m.  – 12:15 p.m.
Teacher: Chuck Kahalnik

9th, 10th, 11th Graders – Torah: the Commendable and the Controversial

11:15 a.m.  – 12:15 p.m.
Teacher: Rabbi Alex Freedman

8th, 9th, 10th, 11th Graders – Keeping Kosher

​12:20  – 1:15 p.m.
Teacher: Chuck Kahalnik

All Grades – All Year – Conversational Hebrew

12:20  – 1:15 p.m.
Teacher: Silvi Freedson

For those students – Grades 8 through 11 – who can not attend SHHS on Sundays.

​The class will be led by Chuck Kahalnik.

​Course content will include: current events; various definitions of poverty, as well as Jewish laws on poverty; the budget game; Jews in the movies; Jewish ethics, and how to make those tough decisions;  the JCC Film Festival; Anti-Semitism in today’s world, and Jewish restaurants.

First Semester

Classes will be:

• Sept. 12, 26
• Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24
• Nov. 7, 14, 28
• Dec. 5, 12

Second Semester

Classes will be:

• Jan. 16, 23, 30
• Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27
• Mar. 6, 13, 20
• Apr. 3, 10, 17
• May 1, 8

We are very excited to offer our students who graduated from SHHS last year ten special College Bound classes to prepare them for life after high school.  Our College Bound classes are open to both SHHS and non-SHHS graduates, so if you know of anyone who may be interested, please feel free to invite them to join us!

Life Decisions

Teacher:  Hazzan Ben Tisser

Dates (2019):

TBD

Time: 11:15 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

At every stage of life we encounter new and unexpected situations. Sometimes we know how to react, but often we struggle to find the proper response, particularly as we transition from high school. In a new-found independence after high school, we find ourselves having many new experiences; our Jewish tradition has much to offer in terms of guiding us through these. Hazzan Ben Tisser will offer very real-life situations, and students will have the opportunity to learn, discuss, and debate what our tradition has to say.

NEW FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR!!!

Here’s a opportunity for parents, grandparents, friends, and relatives to learn more about the Jewish culture as taught in the schools here at NSSBE.

For more information on these adult classes, which will begin this fall, please click on the links below.

​Melton Core Curriculum: The Ethics of Jewish Living

SUNDAYS, 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Teacher: Ali Drumm

How do Jewish teachings shed light on contemporary issues such as the environment, interpersonal relationships, end-of-life decisions, and stem-cell research? This course explores the wisdom of ancient and modern rabbis, scholars and thinkers, offering multiple Jewish approaches to conducting our lives in the communal and private spheres. New students
are welcome!

Tuition, including Sourcebook:

• $100 for NSSBE members
• $240 for Melton Consortium members
• $340 for non-Consortium members

To register for Melton classes at NSS Beth El, contact Rolly Cohen at 847-291-7788 (ext. 1304) or rolly@bjechicago.org.