10th Grade - Fall 2010
Community Midrasha 2010-2011
10th Grade Fall Program:
Introduction to Plurality and Diversity within the Community at Large
Facilitated by Rabbi John Friedman & Dr. Margarita Suárez
August 29, 2010 - December 12, 2010
Drop off and Pick up for field trips will be in front of Judea Reform main building.
Aug. 29 Midrasha Initial Gathering / Orientation (1-2pm)
This session is for parents and students. Please meet in the sanctuary at Judea Reform, at 1PM. At this meeting Rabbi Friedman and Margarita will discuss the falll semester curriculum and coordinate transportation for the field trips. Judea parents and students should remain following this session to discuss Kabbalat Torah, formerly called Confirmation. Rabbi Berkowitz will also give a brief overview of the Spring semester curriculum
Sept. 5 Labor Day – No Class
Sept. 12Sri Venkateswara Tenple (Intro session 10:30-11:15; Svc. 11:30 – 12:30)
Meet at 9:30am to travel to the temple located at 121 Balaji Place (Use 121 Baliji Place in GPS & Mapquest) (9421 Chapel Hill Road), Cary. Students should be back by 1:15pm.
Sept. 19 Sikh Gurdwara (11:30 - 12:30 intro session; 12:30-1:35 worship; 1:35-2:15 lunch)
Meet at 10:45am to travel to the Gurdwara located at 3214 Banner in Durham (not far from Durham Regional Hospital). This session will include a session of introduction to Sikhism, attendance at part of their service, and the “lungar” or communal meal. (Great veggie Indian food!) Back at Judea by 2:45pm. Margarita will probably be at the American Academy of Religion meeting this weekend.
Sept. 26Masjid Ar-Razzaq (Conversation 12:30-1:30; Svc. 1:30-2pm)
Meet at 12n . Travel to 1009 W. Chapel Hill St. in Durham. We will meet with Imam Greg Rashard and some of their youth at the Masjid, witness Islamic prayer, and then have lunch and conversation with the Imam and some of his congregation to learn a bit about Muslim prayer and ask our questions. Students should be back at Judea by 2:30pm.
Oct. 3 International Buddhist Progress Society (Intro 9:30; Svc 10-11:30; Q & A till about 12:15)
Meet at 8:45am to drive to 2529 Prince Drive, Raleigh. We will experience a Buddhist worship experience in Chinese and will meet with the Christopher Thurston, coordinator of Outreach, afterwards to answer our questions. Students should be back to the Judea Reform Education Bldg by 1:15pm.
Oct. 10 Conversation class 1 “How Christians Use Scriptures”
Meet at 11:15am inside the Social Hall of Judea Reform Synagogue Bldg for a discussion of how Christianity understands the Hebrew Bible as a rich source for the proof of the validity of the New Testament. What are the important passages cited by Christian proselytizers as proof for the validity of the messiahship of Jesus and the authority of the New Testament? How should we answer those who want to convert us to Christianity? We will finish at 12:30pm.
Oct. 17 Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church (Svc. 10:30 - 11:45)
Meet at 9:45am. We will attend services with St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox congregation at their new worship space at 8306 NC Highway 751. “Orthodox” means “true belief” from the Greek words “orthe” and “doxa.” Their worship is quite formal with much singing. Their “Divine Liturgy” is entirely in Greek. This church is part of the Eastern Orthodox Church which includes other national churches such as the Bulgarian and Russian Orthodox. Students should be back at Judea by 12:30pm.
Oct. 24 Fisher Memorial United Holy Church (Svc. 11 - 12:45)
Meet at 10:30am to drive to 420 Piedmont Ave. in Durham. This is an African-American Church, small but very important in the religious life of the Durham Community. The church is led by Bishop Elroy Lewis and is affiliated with the United Holiness denomination. Students should be back to Judea by 1:15pm.
Oct. 31 First Pentecostal Church (Svc. 10:50 - 12:45)
Meet at 10am. We will discuss the nature of Pentecostalism before we leave for the church at 10:25am. The church is located at 2008 Carver St. in Durham. Pentecostalism is a very conservative denomination. Be prepared to hear from the far right wing of Christianity. Students should be back to Judea by 2pm.
Nov. 7 First Presbyterian (Svc. 11 - 12)
Meet at 10:20am to drive to First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St. In Durham. We will attend their services and then have lunch with some First Presbyterian youth and their ministers following worship. Students should be back to Judea Reform by 2pm.
Nov. 14 Conversation class 2 - “Judaism and Christianity: The Growth of Early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism in the 1 st Century”
Meet at 11:15am inside the Judea Reform Synagogue. How did Judaism and Christianity become 2 separate faiths? What is the origin of Christian belief and why is the history of our relationship so painful? Why do Christians proselytize? We will finish at 12:30pm.
Nov. 21 Visit to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) (Service 11 - 12:15)
Meet at 10:30am to travel to 1050 MLK Blvd in Chapel Hill. We will visit a Sacrament meeting of the church and then have a conversation with one of the lay leaders. This church does not have traditional ordained clergy. We should arrive back by 1:30pm.
Nov. 28 Thanksgiving – no class
Dec. 5 Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church (Svc. 10-11:10am) Waiting on confirmation.
Meet at 9:20am to travel to 2438 South Alston Ave. Durham. The only African American Roman Catholic Church in Durham. How is this church different from Fischer Memorial United Holy Church, the other African American congregation we have visited? Is this church’s service similar to any other church we’ve visited? We should arrive back by 12:30.
Dec. 12 Final Potluck Dinner / conversation class 3 - “Religious Differences in Your Life”
6:00 – 6:15 Meet and Greet
6:15 – 6:45 Potluck Dinner
6:45 – 8:00 Final Conversation
8:00 – 8:30 Clean Up
We will meet in the Judea Reform Education Bldg at 6pm for dinner. After which we will have a discussion of universalism and particularism and their contrasting influences. When is it best to emphasize our universal similarity to all human beings? When should we focus on being Jews, set apart from the rest of the world? How do these factors play a role in our life choices such as college, marriage, child rearing, career choices, and spiritual quest? Wrap up and evaluation. We will end by 8:30pm.
Sample of Spring Program -
10th Grade Midrasha Syllabus—Spring 2010
Topic: Important Questions in Judaism
Instructor: Rabbi Leah Berkowitz;
Classes meet Sundays from 5:30-7:30 If you cannot attend class, please contact Rabbi Berkowitz at rabbiberkowitz@judeareform.org for a make-up assignment.
January 10—Is there such thing as a good Jew?
January 17 Do you need to believe in G-d to be Jewish?
January 24- TBA for those not going to the L’taken Seminar
January 31 Guest speaker TBA
February 7— Jewish views on death and dying OR thinking Jewishly about college. . .
February 14—Guest Speaker TBA
February 21— Why do people choose Judaism? What are the different denominations of Judaism?
Assignment Due (see below): Investigative Judaism
February 28— What makes a Jewish home? What makes a Jewish relationship?
March 7— Guest speaker TBA
March 14— What does Judaism have to say about dating and sex?
March 21—What does Judaism have to say about GLBTQ issues? and Wrap-Up.
Investigative Judaism:
Checking out Another Worship Experience
Your mission: In a few weeks, you will be asked to submit a report about your visit to a Jewish worship service that is not at your own synagogue. You might go to Hillel, Chabad, Beth El, Chapel Hill Kehillah, Judea Reform, or someplace of your own choosing. Try to go someplace you have never gone before. You may go on Friday night or Saturday morning.
Answer the following questions:
· Ask someone who is a member there why they chose this congregation and what they like about it.
· Ask the rabbi/service leader about one thing that was different at this service and why they did it that way.
· Make up a few of your own questions to ask people in that congregation during your visit.
· Ask yourself: What was similar/different from your usual worship experience? What did you like/dislike about this worship experience?
Submit a one-page report of your experience and the answers to your questions in class on Sunday, February 21st.