Chavayah, Hebrew for “experience” focuses on youth empowerment and offers a self-directed and engaging approach to Jewish learning for our 9th and 10th grade students. Chavayah equips young adults with the tools they need to continue the development of their Jewish identities through a diverse collection of learning opportunities. Chavayah features two components: Core Curriculum (monthly lessons on a common theme), and Chuggim (experience learning electives).
Core Curriculum sessions focus on one social justice topic for each year, giving students the tools to become more civically engaged. Past themes have included criminal justice, climate justice, immigration, and racial justice. Chavayah students learn not only from synagogue educators but from talented community members across a broad spectrum of subjects such as social justice and Jewish creativity. The Chavayah experience gives students a stronger breadth of knowledge as well as a wider consciousness of how their Jewish values might inform other activities they enjoy.
Chuggim sessions encourage intrinsic motivation for Jewish learning and allows for creativity to thrive. With scheduling flexibility, Chuggim curriculum experiences have ranged from Sephardic cooking classes, seeing Steppenwolf plays, and compiling a Passover Hagaddah. While all teens attend core curriculum sessions, students choose the Chuggim that best matches their interests, creating a class schedule that responds to their unique curiosities and empowers them to take their own educational liberties.
Beit Sefer
Mitzvah Corps
Gesher (Thursdays)
