2024-2025 AJU/TIOH Jewish Learning Experience College Course

JST 325 Contemporary Halacha: Jewish Ethics- 3.0 credits (Rabbi Calvin)

10-12th Grade

Tuesdays 6:00-7:45pm

In this class, students will explore Jewish ethics – both the context and time in which they were lived and practiced as well as the way we understand these ancient laws in our lives today. Over the course of the year, students will spend time exploring kashrut, Shabbat, medical ethics, property laws and social responsibility, starting with the original text, exploring what our ancient commentators thought about these laws and then assessing what these laws look like in modern day. The ultimate goal is for students to develop an understanding of these fundamental pieces of our tradition and determine how they might apply the underlying values to challenging ethical decisions in their own lives.

JST 313: Introduction to the History, Culture, and People of Israel – 3.0 credits (Rabbi Mari and Rabbi Yoni)

11-12th Grade

Thursdays 6:00-7:45pm

Israel’s history, culture and people have always been and will continue to be distinctly nuanced and complex. This course will present historical events and statistics pertaining to Israel and teach students how to critically analyze a wide range of subject matter, perspectives, and experiences. Topics include the founding of the State of Israel, a timeline of Jewish history in the region, the various versions of Zionism, and the path to becoming an independent country. The course will also explore the multiple wars and attempts at peace which have changed the evolving, contested boundaries of the country. A survey of the lived experiences of Israelis and Palestinians from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds as well as the food, culture, language, art, and poetry which have contributed to a multifaceted society will be discussed.