Gesher (the Hebrew word for bridge) is designed to bridge the growth of our 7th grade students from children in the Jewish community to being adults.
Our students spend this year advancing their understanding of Judaism as a religion, community, and culture as they begin the next stage of their Jewish identities.
Gesher’s goal is to help students identify their values and ways to live accordingly — an important skill at an age full of change. The Gesher curriculum explores the themes of peoplehood, identity, sexuality and relationships, leadership, spirituality, and religious pluralism through a Jewish lens. Gesher is an environment that nurtures conversation. That’s why we spend this time exploring social issues including religious pluralism, mental health, technology safety, and healthy friendships.
A significant portion of the year is dedicated to learning and discussing issues relating to relationships, their bodies, and sex and sexuality in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Trained educators help facilitate age-appropriate learning and growth that goes beyond what is included in a public school’s education to more fully explore the spiritual and emotional elements involved in these issues. Utilizing lessons from the Our Whole Lives curriculum together with original content developed by Beth Emet educators, students are prepared to make thoughtful and informed choices as young Jews.
We believe that seventh grade is a critical year in the development of identity both Jewish and otherwise. The Gesher program helps students and parents navigate what can be a challenging experience in a way that promotes the love of Judaism, a sense of community, and healthy relationships.
*To accommodate for the time 7th graders spend studying for their Kabbalat Mitzvah outside of class, Gesher meets slightly less often than Beit Sefer.
We approach social justice as an important lifelong mitzvah and aim to build skills to make a difference in the world.
Beit Sefer
Mitzvah Corps
Gesher (Thursdays)
