Midrasha Tri-Valley/Tri-Cities
Teen Midrasha is an exciting, innovative program co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish Living and Learning. Students meet throughout the school year on Sunday evenings, from 7:15 to 9:15 PM, at Congregation Beth Emek in Pleasanton, offering students the opportunity to continue their Jewish learning, form lifelong friendships, and discover ways to make a difference in their community and in the world.
Students will uncover their own feelings about Judaism and God, learn intricacies of Halacha - Jewish law, and will participate in activities including creative writing, theater, multimedia, visual arts and more. There are programs designed for each individual grade including a Confirmation class for 10th graders.
Midrasha is an interdenominational Jewish community high school, open to all Jewish students grades 8-12, irrespective of either synagogue affiliation or past religious school experience. The Midrasha program is both academic and social, and it serves the crucial need of helping adolescents understand the nature of their Jewish identities. Toward this end, classes are offered on Jewish ethics, civics, identity, history, practice, culture and communities as well as on Hebrew language and preparation for Confirmation.
Midrasha is part of a network of East Bay Midrashot, and is jointly sponsored by the congregations of Temples Beth Emek in Livermore and Beth Torah in Fremont and by the Center for Jewish Living and Learning (CJLL). (For more information about the other three midrasha programs in Berkeley, Oakland, and Walnut Creek, please contact the CJLL directly at 510.839.2900.)
Day Schildkret, Director of Midrasha Tri-Valley/Tri-Cities Jewish Community High School (Midrasha TV/TC) brings a fresh, spirited and innovative energy to the program for Jewish teens in grades 8 through 12.
An experienced Jewish professional, Day has worked in Jewish education on both the East and West Coasts for over a decade and is known for creating pioneering curricula, such as "Jewish Jedi in Training" that entice students to continue their Jewish learning throughout the high school years. As Midrasha TV/TC Director, Day is dedicated to re-imagining the Jewish educational experience and facilitating spiritual exploration for the next generation.
Day joined the staff of Midrasha TV/TC in 2007, teaching the 8th grade core class and several electives, including "Meditation and Yoga," and serving as Student Life Coordinator. In these roles he nurtured strong relationships with students and developed his vision for the program future direction. "I have a deep connection working with teens," notes Day. "We seem to 'get' each other."
Day views the Tri-Valley Cities Midrasha as fertile ground for growing a successful teen program. "By totally revamping our program and awakening the spirit of our community, we have an opportunity to reach new students and make our current ones happier and more committed."
Our Mission
Research has shown that Jewish learning which takes place in the high school years is crucial to the formation of lasting Jewish identity. Toward the of end of helping your child fashion such an identity, Midrasha seeks to maintain a staff, student body, curriculum and school environment which cooperatively promote Jewish pluralism and creativity while furthering religious tradition and learning.
Upcoming Events
The Lowdown on the High Holy Days featuring TV/TC Midrasha Director Day Schildkret and a special teen-only workshop
Teens are encouraged to attend this day of learning in preparation for the High Holy Days. TV/TC Director Day Schildkret will be leading two workshops: Accepting Loss and Imperfection: The Way of Yom Kippur
A Tasty Teenage Treat: Chewing on the High Holidays
The Lowdown is a FREE EVENT; however, an RSVP is requested so the organizers will know how many teens (and adults) to expect. Participants can bring a kosher-style,vegetarian/dairy bagged lunch or purchase a catered lunch for $10 (must be ordered and paid for in advance). For more information and to register, go to Lowdown Registration.
Sunday, August 28th, 9:30 am - 2 pm. Bagel breakfast begins at 9:00 AM, Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Ct., Pleasanton.
Following "The Lowdown" program, the teens will move to Livermore for afternoon fun at Splashable Bash
back-to-school pool party extravaganza, 3-5pm, at the Home of Sharon Cohen, 1011 Potenza Court, Livermore.
For more information, please contact Sharon Cohen: sharoncohen2@comcast.net, 925-367-5633.
Splashable Bash, back-to-school pool party extravaganza
Our end-of-the-summer get-together is always a big hit! Teens will enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the sun with the TV/TC Director, Day Schildkret, the teachers, and their Midrasha buddies. The Splashable Bash is open to teens entering grades 8 through 12. RSVP for the pool party Sunday, August 28th 3-5pm, At the Home of Sharon Cohen, 1011 Potenza Court, Livermore.
sharoncohen2@comcast.net, 925-367-5633.
The way of Yom Kippur is to accept our imperfection. This time of the Jewish year gives us permission to grieve. We are invited to accept that being human is to be imperfect, to be broken; and we realize that we don't have to project our brokenness onto anyone else. We don't have to cast it out. We can fix it. We can repair it in the context of our lives. The way of Yom Kippur is to realize that each of us is part of the whole, and that we are all broken vessels moving toward the light. In this session, join Day in understanding the importance of grief and loss in our lives and in our circular Jewish calendar.
Join Day on a scrumptious adventure exploring the meaning of the High Holidays by tasting them. Also known as food meditations, our adventure will be without our eyes so our noses and mouths can really understand the meaning of this time of year. If you love food, you'll love this session.