What's the Big Idea of Being Jewish?

If you've ever wondered about Big Ideas like: the worth of human life, ethics and free will, the meaning of evil, or about money, sex, and family, then the Communiteen High School is for you! "Communiteen provides tools to make life decisions using what Judaism has to offer," said Halle Schwartz, Communiteen director at the JCC.

"Communiteen is a two-year program that encourages students in grades 9 through 12 in exploring their Jewish identity using Jewish sources to discuss family history, life issues and their personal relationship to the Jewish people," she said. "Communiteen gives teens Judaism their way, intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and socially."

Teens share questions and concerns in an open, welcoming atmosphere with peers from all Jewish backgrounds, added Schwartz. "Students receive a certificate of completion after two years of study. There are no tests and no homework. Classes are discussion based, guided by expert teachers able to relate to teens."

Communiteen is taught at the JCC by Shaula Guari and Mike Fliegle on Sundays, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch is provided.

"The first year of Communiteen centers on the American Jewish Experience - how Jewish identity is a composite of the people, experiences and events that preceded us. It relates the Jewish experience to U.S. history and helps students identify this history as their own story," said Schwartz.

"The second year course explores Israel's significance to American Jews by looking at Israeli culture, geography, politics and international relations," she said.

"This is definitely NOT your parents' Hebrew school," said Schwartz.

For more information on Communiteen, contact Schwartz at (614) 231-2731, ext. 386.