curriculum
DESCRIPTION
Kualnu 2011 curriculum infoTRANSCRIPT
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KULANU
THE CINCINNATI REFORM JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL
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! ! ! ! ! kulanu means all of us
! ! a way of helping the student see that they are not alone and are supported on this journey
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WHY USE THE IMAGE OF A MOUNTAIN CLIMB?
To help a student succeed through a 4 year program is not unlike assisting a mountain climber. They need support, the right tools and motivating guides. Our KULANU community is here to help each student to successfully traverse this journey at each point in their climb.
To providea meaningful and challenging journey for each student. We do this through dialogue, discovery and exploration, so that every student begins to establish their own personal Jewish identity as foundation for the rest of their lives. Our goal for each student upon reaching the summit of graduation is to head out into the world clear, strong, invested and articulate about who s/he is as a Jew.
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Kulanuʼs goal…
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In this journey, we use the metaphor of a mountain climbThe Students are the climbersThe Teachers and Rabbis are the guidesThe Board, Staff, and Families are the Support Team
Throughout the journey…
At each level (camp), a student \climber gets:
• Core tools- skills, knowledge they’ll use going forward
• Confidence- in their learning, identity, accomplishment
• Development- academically, emotionally, spiritually
• Gradual Acclimation- through the thoughtful and careful absorption
and integration of their learning thus far through reflection and application
to then build from as they climb on
10th grade
11th grade
12th Grade
Summit Graduation HINENI
9th grade
Kulanu is a journey.A student’s journey goes through several stages, each with its process and set of core tools to learn.
At the end of our senior year, each Kulanu graduate will present Hineni “Here I am!”1. Through our curriculum, a possible retreat and process- time will be created to develop and to reflect on prompts, so a student will have the opportunity to create their personal statement & expression.
2. Then, each student has the opportunity to stand before the community and present the following: • I am… and I am a Jew.• What I believe as a Jew is…
• difference I want to make in the world• what I believe in• what I’m committed to
• I’m going to express this in the world and my life by…
3. Presentation can be accompanied by personal expression of their statement, which could include:• multimedia• art• writing• photography• movement• music• project (creation of a organization )
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Culmination- HINENI Here I am: Who I Am as a Jew
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Basic Tools in SeminarsJewish Peoplehood" The Jewish Community and our local " experience"" The Diaspora & the Role of Israel" Jews supporting Jews, Israel and the world" Defending & Supporting Israel in College " & Beyond
Reform Judaism Reform 101- " Reform in relation to other movements" Tough Choices Social Activism- " Who I am as a Reform Jew- " Why Stay Reform?
At the end of their trek a Kulanu grad will have in their backpack...
Tools Covered in Electives• Ability to articulate what Judaism is and means to me
as a priority• Understanding of Jewish Christian relations• Flashpoint education on
• Christmas• Jesus• Personal Relationship to God• Hebrew Bible vs Christian Scriptures• Anti-Semitism
God and Spirituality Images of God- Why God? Spirituality vs. Religion God & the Jews- Covenant Communal Practices God as the Impetus for Social Change & Spiritual Activism My God-Personal Theology and Personal Spiritual Practices
Torah/Sacred Texts Basic Torah" Living the Torah Middot/Values, Jews as Ethical People- Social Justice Finding Relevance in Torah & " Ethics for College & Life Decisions
When one climbs they carry the tools they need in a backpack.At Kulanu this backpack represents the skills, topics and experiences each student will receive over 4 years with us.
Kulanuʼs Thread Curriculum Model
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9th GradeSeminar
ElectiveElective ElectiveElective11th GradeSeminar
HINENI12TH Grade
Seminar
Confirmation
Throughout 9th-12th grade, Kulanu’s key topics, themes, values, ethics, text, history, personal practice are reinforced and layered along the journey.
In the design of our program, they are woven through curriculum as threads...
= God & Spirituality= Reform Judaism = Torah/Sacred Texts= Jewish Peoplehood
Schedule for classes
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1st Bell 2nd Bell
9th
Seminar 9th-10th Elective
10th
10th Grade\Confirmation 9th-10th Elective
11th
11th-12th Elective Seminar
12th
11th-12th Elective HINENI
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The Kulanu curriculum is a path. A student’s learning journey goes through several stages, each one building on the learning of the last, gaining layers of confidence, insight and mastery. Each successive seminar builds upon the previous year.
Basic Torah
Living the TorahMiddot/Values, Practice
Torah is a Blueprint for Action
Finding Relevance in Torah & Ethics for College & Life Decisions
Community vs.Individual
All Israel is Responsible for One Another
Judaism and Israel in Action
Defending & Supporting Israel in College & Beyond-our relationship with Israel
JewishPeoplehood
9th
11th
10th
Torah/Sacred Texts
Where it fits in the world- The content in perspective
Basic Understanding and distinctions
Tikkun OlamHow can Judaism help out in the world?
Synthesis…How Iʼm going to own it, be it and live it in the world
Reform 101- in relation to other movements
Tough Choices
Reform Means Taking Action
Who I am as a Reform Jew- Reform Pride
Reform Judaism
Enduring Understandings• Confidence and pride in being Reform• Internalization and personal• Ability to explain Reform• importance of values and role of Reform • what do Reform Jews feel about…?
God , Spirituality and Religion
God & the Jews- CovenantCommunal Practices
God as the Impetus for Change and Needs me to help make it
My God- Personal TheologyPersonal Spiritual Practices
God &Spirituality
Enduring Understandings• We are part of a greater Jewish community
& world community• We have a responsibility for the success
and longevity of Israel of the Jewish people• My individual role as a Jew is critical for the
future of Judaism & Israel
Enduring Understandings• My relationship with God is ever-evolving• God is central to the Jewish experience• Being in relation with God helps me take
responsibility in the world• I can have my own personal relationship
with God in Judaism• Spirituality is part of being Jewish• I have begun my own personal spiritual
practice
Enduring Understandings• Torah is relevant in my life.• Jewish values are important to
me.• My personal ethics are aligned
with Judaism.• I understand what the Torah
represents and its content.
Summit/GraduationHineni
12th
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Enduring Understandings by Graduation• We are part of a greater Jewish community & world community• We have a responsibility for the success and longevity of Israel of the
Jewish people• My individual role as a Jew is critical for the future of Judaism & Israel
• What does it mean to be a member of the Jewish community• What are my connection to other Jews• Minority vs Majority where do we stand as a Jewish people
Grade Level Goals
• Diversity in the world Jewish community• The need for a homeland; Zionism 101
• Coming home from Israel how do I connect to others and my community
• How we can be a helpful partner to Israel
• Israel advocacy in college and beyond• Discovering the truth behind Israel; Israel mythbusting
11th
9th
10th
12th
Community vs Individual
All Jews are responsible for each other
Judaism and Israel in Action
Defending & Supporting Israel in College & Beyond-our relationship with Israel
Breakdown by Thread- Jewish Peoplehood
Courses
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Grade Level Goals
11th
9th
10th
12th
Breakdown by Thread- Reform Judaism
Courses
Reform Pride
Reform 101
Tough Choices
Reform Means Taking Action
Enduring Understandings• Confidence and pride in Reform Judaism• Internalization and personal• Ability to explain Reform• importance of values and role of Reform • what do Reform Jews feel about…?
• Distinctions between Reform and other movements• Importance of Progressive Judaism
• Reform Judaism’s role in Tikkun Olam• Our responsibility as Reform Jews to social activism
• Relevancy of Reform Judaism• How Reform Judaism can help us make decisions
• Clear understanding of how Reform fits in my life forward as a modern Jew
• Importance of having a vibrant Reform community and my role in creating/sustaining it
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Grade Level Goals
11th
9th
10th
12th
Breakdown by Thread- Torah & Sacred Texts
Courses
Basic Torah
Living the TorahMiddot/Values, Practice
Torah is a Blueprint for Action
Finding Relevance in Torah & Ethics for College & Life Decisions
• Who’s who in the Torah• Basic text: Torah, Mishnah, Talmud & Midrash
• The role of Reform Responsa and Torah in my life• Jewish values in action
• Torah as a blueprint for ethical decisions• Our responsibility to social justice as Jews
• Torah as a guide for life and choices• My personal relationship with Torah
Enduring Understandings by Graduation• Torah is relevant in my life.• Jewish values are important to me.• My personal ethics are aligned with Judaism.• I understand what the Torah represents and its content.
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Grade Level Goals
11th
9th
10th
12th
Breakdown by Thread- God & Spirituality
Courses
Images of God- Why God?Spirituality vs. Religion
God & the Jews- CovenantCommunal Practices
od as the Impetus for Change and Needs me to help make it
My God- Personal TheologyPersonal Spiritual Practices
• Distinctions and commonalities between Spirituality & Religion• Exposure to and exploration of different images of God
• The Jewish God as distinct • The Covenant between God & the Jews• Role of prayer: communicating with God
• God’s partner in the world• B’Tzelem Elohim: In God’s image
• Asking big questions and searching for answers• Establishing a personal path of prayer, spiritual practice & relationship
with God
Enduring Understandings by Graduation• My relationship with God is ever-evolving• God is central to the Jewish experience• Being in relation with God helps me take responsibility in the world• I can have my own personal relationship with God in Judaism• Spirituality is part of being Jewish• I have begun my own personal spiritual practice
Enduring Understandings• My relationship with God is ever-evolving• God is central to the Jewish experience• Being in relation with God helps me take
responsibility in the world• I can have my own personal relationship
with God in Judaism• Spirituality is part of being Jewish• I have begun my own personal spiritual
practice
Enduring Understandings• Confidence and pride in Reform Judaism• Internalization and personal• Ability to explain Reform• importance of values and role of Reform • what do Reform Jews feel about…?
Enduring Understandings• We are part of a greater Jewish community
& world community• We have a responsibility for the success
and longevity of Israel of the Jewish people• My individual role as a Jew is critical for the
future of Judaism & Israel
Enduring Understandings• Torah is relevant in my life.• Jewish values are important to
me.• My personal ethics are aligned
with Judaism.• I understand what the Torah
represents and its content.
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UNIT 1
UNIT 2
UNIT 3
UNIT 4
PROJECT FOR HINENI
UNIT 5HINENI
Possible curriculum topics for 9th grade seminar
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Thread- Jewish Peoplehood Reform Judaism Torah & Sacred Texts God & Spirituality
Community vs Individual Reform 101 Basic Torah Images of God
What does it mean to be a people? Why change? An early history Our Story -Torah where did it come from? Personal thoughtswhat have we learned in religious schoolWhat is religion and why did it evolve?
Religion vs. PeoplehoodConnection to other Jews
Other strands of Judaism -where we fit in Torah Jeopardy- 20 things you should know Religion vs Spirituality a working definition Models of the Divine in Judaism
Minority/Majority American Jewish Experience What is Mishnah Midrash and Talmud? Relationship with GodTalking-Prayer-music
The complexities of Chosenness Basic principles of Reform JudaismWhat we believe and how it makes us who we are.
Is the Torah divinely inspired? Faith vs Reason an argument and exploration
Threats to community Reform prideA progressive voice -dealing with problems today
Making the Text Come Alive PARDES Can I feel connected to God Other’s opinions Hearing other’s opinions panel
• The role of the individual and Jewish community
• Connections to other Jews and experiencing the spectrum of Jewish life
• Dangers and joys of being a community of Jews
• Distinctions between Reform and other movements
• Importance of Progressive Judaism
• Basic Torah• Basic text: Torah, Mishnah, Talmud &
Midrash
• Distinctions and commonalities between Spirituality & Religion
• Exposure to and exploration of different images of God
• Staring to think about a relationship with God
By the end of the 9th grade year a Kulanu student will be able:
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• To identify the role of the individual and of the Jewish community
• To learn of the importance of connections to other Jews and experiencing the spectrum of Jewish life
• To identify and learn of the dangers and joys of being a community of Jews
• To understand the distinctions between Reform and other movements
• To understand the importance of the role of Progressive Judaism and where it began.
• To discuss the distinctions and commonalities between Spirituality & Religion
• To have a basic exposure to and exploration of different images of God
• To begin to explore a personal relationship with God
• To have an understanding of Basic Torah facts
• To identify and discuss the differences and roles of, Mishnah, Talmud & Midrash
Community vs Individual Reform 101 Basic Torah Images of God
GOALS
Possible curriculum topics for 10th grade seminar \ Confirmation
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Thread- Jewish Peoplehood Reform Judaism Torah & Sacred Texts God & Spirituality
All Israel is responsible for one another
What we believe and Responsa Living the Torah middot\values and practice
God and the Jews \ Covenant
Universal vs. particular Responsa for Reform Jews Why do we need our own version?
Issues raised in TorahThe Shema and one God
Diversity in Am Yisrael Tough Choices and good answers Rules and why they are thereA mutual relationship or not -covenant and God
Pride and Shame for the Jewish people
Daily problems need progressive Judaism and itʼs openess
The ten commandments or suggestions?A covenant made must not be broken or can it?
Jewish Geography Helping others make good decisions a model to other Jews and Non Jews
Laws from Torah that helped form our modern JUSTICE SYSTEM
Sitting down with God- a spiritual dialogue
America and Israel Reform has been taking stands on... Reading of Torah from progressive vantage -Being a modern Jew
Does God listen? personal prayer and faith
• Outside the land, Jews throughout the world
• The need for a homeland; Zionism 101
• Relevancy of Reform Judaism• How Reform Judaism can help us make
decisions
• The role of Reform Responsa and Torah in my life
• Jewish values in action
• The Jewish God and our expectations• The Covenant between God & the Jews• Role of personal prayer: communicating
with God
By the end of the 10th grade year a Kulanu student will be able:
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• To identify and appreciate the presence of Jews throughout the world
• To understand the need for Israel
• To understand and be exposed to the challenges of being a “Jewish”people
• To explore the relationship between American Jews and Israel in its many complexities
• To be aware of the process of Reform Responsum
• To experience how Reform Judaism can help us make decisions
• To understand the issues that Reform Judaism has taken stands on
• To identify the roles of Reform Responsa and Torah in their lives
• To understand the concepts of commandments and laws in Jewish text
• To explore the relevancy of Torah and text in modern legal justice
• To experience the freedom and power offered by a modern reading of our texts
• To understand the role and development of the Jewish God
• To explore the Covenant between God & the Jews
• To examine the role of personal prayer: and other methods of communicating with God
All Israel is responsible for one another
What we believe Responsa Living the Torah middotvalues and practice
God and the Jews Covenant
GOALS
Possible curriculum topics for 11th grade seminar
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Thread- Jewish Peoplehood Reform Judaism Torah & Sacred Texts God & Spirituality
Judaism in Action Reform Jews make a difference Jews as Ethical People- Justice Seekers
My GodPersonal Theology and Practice
Spiritual ActivismWhat connects us to Israel? What is Tikkun Olam Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof -are we commanded to be
just?B’tzelem Elohim
Coming HomeBack from Israel A different perspective
Caretakers of our worldWho needs us to help?
Prophets of old prophets of now Seeing God in others
How Israel helps heal the world Teva Environmental Protectors and Advocates
Righting wrongs in our countryHeschel and others God needs us to finish God’s works.
Israel projects we can support The Torah tells us so... Our community as a model of justice. God helps me fight for changeA prophetic mission
After I have gone what is my relationship now to Israel and what will it become?
A Jewish voice in politics Part of the solution a project of Justice Turning to God in difficult times Adonai Li v’Lo IraGod is with me and I shall not Fear
• Coming home from Israel how do I connect to others and my community
• How we can be a helpful partner to Israel
• Torah as a blueprint for ethical decisions
• Our responsibility to social justice as Jews
• God’s partner in the world• B’Tzelem Elohim: In God’s image
• Reform Judaism’s role in Tikkun Olam• Our responsibility as reform Jews to social
activism
By the end of the 11th grade year a Kulanu student will be able:
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• To understand the connection between the student and Israel
• To learn how to share and relate Israel to their community.
• To see how Israel is at the forefront of providing aid to countries all over the globe
• To understand the need to have a relationship with Israel after they have returned to the United States
• To understand the importance of and a working definition of Tikkun Olam
• To express our responsibility as Reform Jews to care for the environment and those in need
• To discuss the importance of Torah in the search for healing the world.
• To understand the Torah as a blueprint for ethical decisions
• To understand our responsibility to social justice as Jews
• To know about the role of the prophetic voice both in the Tanakh and in modern times
• To see how our community can be a model of Justice
• To start to explore being God’s partner in the world
• To understand the concept and importance of B’Tzelem Elohim: Being created in God’s image
• To see how one can engage with God in difficult times
Judaism in Action Reform Jews make a difference Jews as Ethical People- Justice Seekers
My GodPersonal Theology and Practice
Spiritual Activism
GOALS
Possible curriculum topics for Hineni 12th grade seminar
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Thread- Jewish Peoplehood Reform Judaism Torah & Sacred Texts God & Spirituality
Defending & Supporting Israel in College & Beyond Our relationship with Israel Reform Pride Finding Relevance in Torah &
Ethics for Life DecisionsGod as the Impetus for
Social Change & Spiritual ActivismSpiritual Activism
How Israel is portrayed in the media Positive contributions of Reform Judaism Drugs sex and rock and rollGOD a discussion -what do you believe?
Campus misinformation Helping shape policy from a Reform perspective Drugs sex and rock and roll part II Big Questions 1From Creation to the afterlife and back again?
Realistic support Giving back to my community Living Torah’s lessons in college Big Questions 2From Creation to the afterlife and back again?
Why Israel is important to us in the US? Relevancy and Reform Great sayings that come from the Torah Personal relationship with God what does that mean?
How to keep connected to Israel in college? HILLEL can be for Reform Jews Creating a Jewish space at school Spirituality at college
• Israel advocacy in college and beyond• Discovering the truth behind Israel; Israel
mythbusting
• Torah as a guide for life and choices• My personal Torah
• Asking big questions and searching for answers
• Establishing personal path of spiritual practice & relationship with God
• Clear understanding of how Reform fits in my life forward as a modern Jew
• Importance of having a vibrant Reform community and my role in creating/sustaining it
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Enduring Understandings• My relationship with God is ever-evolving• God is central to the Jewish experience• Being in relation with God helps me take
responsibility in the world• I can have my own personal relationship
with God in Judaism• Spirituality is part of being Jewish• I have begun my own personal spiritual
practice
Enduring Understandings• Confidence and pride in being Reform• Internalization and personal• Ability to explain Reform• importance of values and role of Reform • what do Reform Jews feel about…?
Enduring Understandings• Torah is relevant in my life.• Jewish values are important to
me.• My personal ethics are aligned
with Judaism.• I understand what the Torah
represents and its content.
Enduring Understandings• We are part of a greater Jewish community
& world community• We have a responsibility for the success
and longevity of Israel of the Jewish people• My individual role as a Jew is critical for the
future of Judaism & Israel
enduring understandings
Our students are becoming young adults who are capable of making choices about their personal learning styles. Recognizing the need for choice we have created a classroom model that allows for 4 different learning modalities centered around one main topic each week
Each seminar will presented by a team of teachers who will search for the connection point for each student.
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PARDES METHOD OF CURRICULUM
Using the concept of traditional study called PARDES we will have a team of 4 teachers work on a subject for class creating 4 separate options for the students. There will be 5 minute presentation of topic followed by a 40 minute class
PSHAT
Text study on topic
REMEZ
Connection to modern life using responsa
DRASH
Creative exploration of topic through modern culture
such as art, music, literature,and film
SOD
Creation of rituals often spiritual in nature
CHOICESSeminar team structure
team leader and team will meet about topic for following week.then will create opening exercise and planning to divide into 4 teams
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PSHATWILL CREATE 40 MINUTE LESSON WHICH USES TEXT STUDY AS CENTRAL ACTIVITY
REMEZ WILL CREATE
40 MINUTE LESSON WHICH
USES RESPONSA
AND CONNECTION TO MODERN
LIFE AS CENTRAL ACTIVITY
SODWILL CREATE 40 MINUTE LESSON WHICH USES SPIRITUAL EXPLORATIONAS CENTRAL ACTIVITY
DRASH WILL CREATE
40 MINUTE LESSON WHICH
USES CREATIVE
EXPLORATION OF TOPIC THROUGH
MULTI MEDIA AS CENTRAL
ACTIVITY
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