Beit Midrash Program focuses on the development of textual skills in the study of Tanach and Talmud. Instruction focuses on how to read, translate and analyze the primary texts and their traditional commentaries in the original Hebrew or Aramaic. As students gain familiarity with the texts, they actively engage in in-depth analyses of the texts. In Talmud classes, portions of a tractate of Talmud are studied each year in order to familiarize the students with a range of topics and texts. In Tanach classes, each year a different book or selection of books is studied in depth with selected commentaries. Students will study books from all three divisions of Tanach (Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim) over the course of their Upper School education.

In this introductory Jewish History course, students receive their first exposure to the discipline, chronology and themes of Jewish history. Students initially contend with some basic historiographical issues, such as periodization, subject definition, and biases in historical narratives. Students then begin a chronological study to explore the origins and development of the Jewish people and our relationship with and experiences in the Land of Israel, from the time of Yehoshua (Joshua) until the destruction of the first temple and the Babylonian Exile. Throughout the course, students contemplate the challenges faced by their ancestors, and analyze the responses and outcomes in a way that promotes self-reflection, empathy and unity, all the while preparing them to live engaged and informed Jewish lives.

In this introductory Jewish History course, students receive their first exposure to the discipline, chronology and themes of Jewish history. Students initially contend with some basic historiographical issues, such as periodization, subject definition, and biases in historical narratives. Students then begin a chronological study to explore the origins and development of the Jewish people and our relationship with and experiences in the Land of Israel, from the time of Yehoshua (Joshua) until the destruction of the first temple and the Babylonian Exile. Throughout the course, students contemplate the challenges faced by their ancestors, and analyze the responses and outcomes in a way that promotes self-reflection, empathy and unity, all the while preparing them to live engaged and informed Jewish lives.

This course takes the students on an exciting journey through time to learn about the State of Israel and its people. The course examines the countryäó»s challenges, accomplishments and values. It begins from the peoplesäó» historic connection to the land, from the biblical Abraham to the establishment of the State of Israel, through its status on the international arena. Throughout the course students learn about the current issues facing Israel and the complexities of the Middle Eastern conflict from both the Palestinian and Israeli perspectives. The information is presented through films and interviews with the worldäó»s well-known experts on Israel and the Middle East. As a history-based course, issues and facts are presented in a way that allows students to reach their own conclusions. Students also obtain the foundational tools for future Israel advocacy throughout the high school experience, which culminates in the Capstone Seminar in Grade 12. This course educates and inspires students to care about Israel and to strengthen their relationship with the State and its people. To complete their year-long study, students embark on the annual trip to Israel, where classroom learning comes to life through an intense and meaningful 10-day -+ experience.

This course emphasizes themes and concepts as well as content and core topics in Biblical and Rabbinic texts. Using a broad range of primary and secondary sources students explore all angles of contemporary ethical issues. They develop skills necessary to actively engage in ethical discussion, debate and decision-making (critical analysis, reading comprehension, writing, research and public speaking). Units of study include Substance use and abuse, treatment of animals, genetic screening, business ethics and others.

This course emphasizes themes and concepts as well as content and core topics in Biblical and Rabbinic texts. Using a broad range of primary and secondary sources students explore all angles of contemporary ethical issues. They develop skills necessary to actively engage in ethical discussion, debate and decision-making (critical analysis, reading comprehension, writing, research and public speaking). Units of study include Substance use and abuse, treatment of animals, genetic screening, business ethics and others.

The Jewish History Department aims to provide students with an in-depth, inspiring and relevant historical understanding of the Jewish experience, from Biblical times to the contemporary, postmodern Jewish world. This critical historical presentation is used to assist students in understanding and appreciating the development of Jewish traditions, liturgy, beliefs, and institutions, the diversity and commonality of the Jewish people of the world, their relationships with the civilizations in which they lived and the effect those civilizations had and continue to have on the Jewish people. The Jewish History curriculum is also designed to guide and assist students in the development of a positive self-image and strong Jewish values, teaching them to respect and appreciate religious and cultural diversity and to ensure awareness for the Jewish individualsäó» responsibility in their own community as well as the world at large.

The course will provide opportunities for students to engage Judaism intellectually and creatively, and to mature into confident leaders. It will also offer a forum for young thinkers to express their views on a variety of topics that concern the modern day Jew. The goal of this course is to explore the traditional Jewish responses to major philosophical issues and to demonstrate to the student that Judaism has a legitimate response and attitude relating to all of its traditions and customs.

The Judaic Seminar focuses on skills necessary for Scheck Hillel graduates to navigate the world around them as committed, passionate members of the Jewish people. The goal is to prepare graduates to thrive in a global and diverse community both on and off the college campus, while retaining a strong Jewish identity. The Judaic Seminar provides the skills, knowledge and wherewithal to enable graduates to discuss Judaism thoughtfully, articulately and intelligently with their college classmates and co-workers, furthering their investigations into their religion, their people and their country. The Judaic Seminar also provides Israel advocacy training to seniors ensuring that graduates are able to defend and advocate on behalf of the Jewish People and the State of Israel. Students not only learn the relevant and crucial information necessary to be Israel advocates but also learn public speaking skills, debate skills, multi-media skills, and PR/marketing skills.

The Judaic Seminar focuses on skills necessary for Scheck Hillel graduates to navigate the world around them as committed, passionate members of the Jewish people. The goal is to prepare graduates to thrive in a global and diverse community both on and off the college campus, while retaining a strong Jewish identity. The Judaic Seminar provides the skills, knowledge and wherewithal to enable graduates to discuss Judaism thoughtfully, articulately and intelligently with their college classmates and co-workers, furthering their investigations into their religion, their people and their country. The Judaic Seminar also provides Israel advocacy training to seniors ensuring that graduates are able to defend and advocate on behalf of the Jewish People and the State of Israel. Students not only learn the relevant and crucial information necessary to be Israel advocates but also learn public speaking skills, debate skills, multi-media skills, and PR/marketing skills.

This course rigorously covers the keys themes, events, and messages of over 2,000 years of Jewish history, ranging from the fall of the First Temple until the Spanish Inquisition in 1492. At its core, students examine how the Jews transitioned from temple worship to the Rabbinic structure, the will of the Jewish people to survive and thrive, and the imprint the Jews have left on world history.

This course rigorously covers the keys themes, events, and messages of over 2,000 years of Jewish history, ranging from the fall of the First Temple until the Spanish Inquisition in 1492. At its core, students examine how the Jews transitioned from temple worship to the Rabbinic structure, the will of the Jewish people to survive and thrive, and the imprint the Jews have left on world history.

This course propels the Jewish History curriculum into the Modern Era and the establishment of the State of Israel. The first semester begins with the creation of the Shulchan Aruch and the last Rishon, Rabbi Yosef Karo, and continues on with the Achronim. Emphasis is placed on the all-encompassing and influential movements of the 18th and 19th centuries such as Enlightenment (Haskalah), Reform, Nationalism, Conservatism and Socialism. The second semester focuses primarily on Zionism and the Holocaust. The year culminates with the study of Zionism and Judaism after 1948 and its impact on the Jewish people as a whole. The course is text-based and utilizes a wide array of primary and secondary sources from both Jewish and global perspectives.

This course propels the Jewish History curriculum into the Modern Era and the establishment of the State of Israel. The first semester begins with the creation of the Shulchan Aruch and the last Rishon, Rabbi Yosef Karo, and continues on with the Achronim. Emphasis is placed on the all-encompassing and influential movements of the 18th and 19th centuries such as Enlightenment (Haskalah), Reform, Nationalism, Conservatism and Socialism. The second semester focuses primarily on Zionism and the Holocaust. The year culminates with the study of Zionism and Judaism after 1948 and its impact on the Jewish people as a whole. The course is text-based and utilizes a wide array of primary and secondary sources from both Jewish and global perspectives.