NCSY’s Torah High Returns 2/4 in Valley Village

25 Jan 2013

NCSY’S TORAH HIGH RETURNS FOR THIRD YEAR WITH COURSES IN BIBLE STUDIES AND HEBREW LANGUAGE; TO MEET AT CONG. SHAAREY ZEDEK IN THE VALLEY

{encode=”http://westcoast.ncsy.org/2012/th/” title=”Torah High”}, a program of West Coast NCSY, is back in the Los Angeles area, and its goals are noteworthy for students from public high schools. Torah High:

• Provides meaningful Jewish learning experiences for teens;

• Encourages connection to the Jewish community;

• Fosters identification with Israel;

• Strengthens Jewish identity;

• Develops Jewish literacy;

• Provides college credits for high school students.

The program returns for its third year on Monday, February 4 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 12800 Chandler Blvd, Valley Village, and will be held Monday nights until June 3. College credit for 11th and 12th graders is given through a partnership with American Jewish University.

NCSY | Jewish Youth Leadership is the international youth movement of the Orthodox Union.

Two courses will be offered: Living Tanach (Bible), from 5:00-5:50 p.m., taught by Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom; and Hebrew Chat, 6:00-6:50 p.m., taught by Sara Solomon. Students can register for one or both courses. The two instructors, who have years of experience teaching in Los Angeles, are returning to offer their dynamic courses.

The Tanach course provides a deeper understanding of the Rabbinic Bible and its commentaries, and through it, an attachment of the students to their heritage. Students will study classical Jewish texts and learn how to apply their teachings to their daily lives. The course will teach students to appreciate and partake in the history, culture and traditions of Jewish life. Rabbi Etshalom is prepared to teach students with various backgrounds, whether they have basic knowledge or not.

Hebrew Chat is designed to enable students to begin to communicate with native speakers in Hebrew. Students will use intermediate language and read age and language appropriate passages for various purposes. They will continue to experience religious and social customs. Through activities such as presentations, reports, debates and seminars, students learn to work cooperatively, develop thinking and communications skills and acquire self-confidence. Reading knowledge of Hebrew is not a requirement.

Solly Hess, Regional Director of West Coast NCSY and Director of Los Angeles Torah High, declared: “Torah High offers students a unique avenue for Jewish education. With a combination of skilled instructors and outside the classroom experiences, Torah High educates Jewish teens in engaging and appealing ways. We are so pleased that Shaarey Zedek will be hosting this year’s program, making it easier for Valley families to participate in this incredible educational initiative.”

There will be rolling admissions. For more details, visit www.westcoast.ncsy.org/th, call 310-229-9000 ext. 209, or email {encode=”mailto:th@ncsy.org” title=”th@ncsy.org.”}

OU | Enhancing Jewish Life