Electives
2011 FALL ELECTIVES
The Power of Play
ISAAK BROWN
We live in a world where work and play don’t mix and match — hard work means no fun, and lots of fun means you’re probably not getting anything done. But guess what?? This ain’t true! Really, play and games are vital parts of how we learn, grow, and develop together. So, here’s what we’re gonna do: We’ll examine Jewish tradition with its long history of play and joy (it’s so there!). We’ll also look at games and play in many different cultures and communities — all of this will support teams creating their own game to teach or explore an important value in their lives. If you LOVE to PLAY, join up!
Ssshhhmmmaaa:
Jewish Yoga and Meditation
JACK COHEN
Shhhhhhh … if you could plug your headphones into your head instead of your iPod, what would you hear? Mmmmmm … how goooood can your body feel after a yoga practice? Aaaaaaaaa … how does feel moving as one around a dance floor with your partner? In this class, we will explore meditation and yoga as ways of developing strong, relaxed bodies and minds, while answering the question, “How is this Jewish??” The shhhh’mmmaaaaa will take on a whole new meaning.
Team Justice:
There ain’t nothin’ gettin’ by us
NOA GRAVEYSKY
Has an adult ever made you feel stupid, weak, or scared? Are you sick and tired of school? Do you ever feel like adults aren’t telling us the truth about stuff we deserve to know about? Do you ever feel like wars and homelessness just don’t make any sense, no matter what people say?
Join TEAM JUSTICE!
This is gonna be different. We’re gonna ask questions together, talk about the world and ourselves, and uncover the truths they aren’t telling us. We’re gonna learn tools for making stuff better and for getting each others’ backs, like for real for real. We have more power than adults, school, and TV like to tell us, and we are gonna learn how to use it to make this world better. Did you know this is as Jewish as it gets?
Home Grown! Urban Adamah
JOTI LEVY
Potatoes and spinach and carrots and beets and tomatoes and onions and basil and … YUM! While you may think you get your produce at the grocery store, that’s only a teeny tiny part of the story. Jews were farmers in biblical times, and a small group of really cool Jews is trying it out again in Berkeley. Their brand new urban farm was designed to get your hands dirty and help Jews understand about things like food justice, tikkun olam, and how so many of our rituals are deeply rooted in the land. If you’ve ever composted, cared about fair trade, or loved having dinner in a sukkah, this class is so you! Plus, there’s a surprise! This is offered in collaboration with all four Midrasha campuses and will include one or two Sunday afternoons on the farm to get hands-on with your food along with all your retreat buddies!
Midrasha TV/TC is sponsored by Congregation Beth Emek (Pleasanton), Temple Beth Torah (Fremont), and Congregation Shir Ami (Castro Valley), and is a beneficiary of The Jewish Federation of the East Bay and The Jewish Community Foundation.