PROZDOR COURSE CATALOG FALL 2012
SUNDAY AT HEBREW COLLEGE, NEWTON
Period 1
Period 2
Period 3
Period 4
4
8
12
16
MIDWEEK PROGRAMMING
MONDAY AT TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM, NASHUA
22
MONDAY TORAH HUB FOR TEENS, NORTH SHORE
WEDNESDAY AT TEMPLE EMUNAH, LEXINGTON
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Period 1
Period 2
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25
FACULTY BIOS
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Hebrew Classes are not included in this course catalog. When you go online to
register, you will see your core and Hebrew classes already in your schedule. If you
have any questions regarding your core class, please contact David List, or if you
have questions regarding your Hebrew level, please contact Mira Angrist as soon as
possible.
Online registration will begin on August 27 for priority registrants and September 4
for all applicants. Instructions on the new registration process will be sent on or
around August 24.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Prozdor Leadership Classes
In this course book you will see various classes with the special designation “Leadership
Course.” These classes are a part of the Prozdor Leadership Program and are year-long.
They are designed to allow students to take a leadership role in Prozdor through various
mediums. Anyone may sign up for these classes, however, please know that as a part of
these classes you may be asked to do some work out of class or occasionally during nonProzdor hours. Prozdor leadership classes are a great way for you to help enhance the
Prozdor community and shape the future of Prozdor for years to come.
*Descriptions of the five leadership classes can be found throughout the catalog in the
period offered or as a list on page 20.
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CORE CLASSES
8th Grade – BIBLE139 – Bible Core
From Genesis to Chronicles, from Moses to Ahab, what do you need to know about the
Hebrew Bible? Much bigger than just the five books of Moses, Tanakh includes drama,
epic poetry, history and many, many personalities. In this course, we will study excerpts
from numerous books of Tanakh, some familiar and others brand new. You will emerge a
better Bible scholar with an understanding of the arc of Jewish history, knowing a few
crazy stories to boot. Along the way, we will often engage with the topic of Biblical and
Jewish law, providing a fascinating glimpse of a full-fledged legal system that has
withstood the test of time unlike any other in the history of the world. We will address
questions such as: Where does Jewish Law come from? How does it work? What is its
purpose? We will also examine the place of halakhah (Jewish law) in the lives of Jews
past, present, and future.
9th Grade - ISRST144 - Pirke Dorot
A connection with Israel has always been a strong focus of the Prozdor program. This
course will focus on the history of Zionism, interwoven with the concept of Jewish
identity, and what Israel means to us. With the use of technology, our students will be
able to connect with teens from Haifa throughout the year, learning together as an
intercultural community. Students will have the opportunity to travel to Israel in
December with their classmates, to meet their peers in Haifa, and to tour the State of
Israel, the land of their heritage.
10th Grade – ISRST149 – One People: Two Paths
The Jews of Israel and the United States
Although sharing a similar heritage, beliefs and history, Israeli and American Jews are
shaped by unique experiences which define who they are, how they live and what they
think. In this course we will look at the evolution of two societies with similar heritage,
beliefs and history, as well as note the difference in how Israeli and American Jews are
shaped by unique experiences which define who they are, how they live and what they
think over six decades from 1950 - 2010. Our focus will be on overarching themes
rather than specific historic events. A specific timeline will accompany each unit with
key events in Israel, the United States and the world during the decade under
consideration. Each unit will include appropriate readings, video/film titles and class
discussions/presentations
11th Grade – ETHIC135 – One Issue, Three Sources, Endless Opinions:
A Response to Today’s Issues
Human trafficking, the environmental crisis and immigration are just a few of the
pressing issues facing American and Israeli societies today. How we respond to them
and what our responsibility to our local community and the world at large is, is not
always clear. Fortunately, Jewish tradition offers a compelling vision of justice that we
can look toward in solving some of these challenges. In this course, students will
explore how Jewish sources challenge us to face and respond to social issues while
gaining a nuanced understanding of those issues.
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Hebrew language at Prozdor
Prozdor’s Hebrew program offers two tracks: two consecutive hours on either Sunday
morning or Tuesday evening, or three hours a week (two hours on Sunday and one hour
during the week). This was designed to allow as many students as possible to enroll in the
Hebrew program and still participate in other activities inside and outside Prozdor.
The Hebrew curriculum is based on the proficiency approach to teaching Hebrew, a
nationally-recognized, cutting-edge approach to teaching foreign language. The
proficiency approach emphasizes that each school needs to create its own curriculum
based on the students' needs and interests, and that students need to be consistently
evaluated in how they function with the language and not what they know about the
language. Utilizing this approach, we have developed various thematic units for all levels
(Novice, Intermediate and Advanced) to maximize the learning in the class and achieve
Hebrew language fluency. The emphasis in the class will be on providing real life
situations to students where they need to use their Hebrew in all four language skills
(speaking, listening, reading and writing) through various interactive activities and use of
technology. For more information about the program please contact Mira Angrist,
Prozdor’s Hebrew Coordinator, at mangrist@hebrewcollege.edu or 617-559-8814.
Hebrew Options at Prozdor
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Two-hour Sunday only
Three-hour (two hours on Tuesday and one hour on Sunday)
Hebrew SAT-II Prep (two hours on Sunday)
Elective taught by Yigal Pe’eri completely in Hebrew (Period 4 Sunday)
* If you are new to the Hebrew program you must take an
assessment. If you have not already done so, please contact
Mira Angrist (mangrist@hebrewcollege.edu or 617-559-8814) to
arrange a time to take the Hebrew assessment.
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Sunday at Hebrew College
Newton Centre, MA
HIGH SCHOOL: Period 1 (9:30–10:20 a.m.)
ART101 – Israeli Dance – Beginner
Jennifer Berger
Do you like to dance? This beginner class is open to anyone who wants to learn the basics
of Israeli dance. No experience necessary! We provide an introduction to the many styles
of Israeli dancing, from traditional dances to modern ones. It is always a lot of fun, so
come dance with us! Boys and girls welcome!
ART103 – Prozdor Klezmer Band
Glenn Dickson
One of the most exciting art electives for our Prozdor musicians is the extraordinary
Klezmer Band. This is an authentic Klezmer band and plays the vibrant music of Eastern
European Jewish origin. It is a performance oriented group which will perform fall and
spring concerts at Prozdor, the Prozdor graduation and other events when possible. Last
year the group played at Ryles Jazz Club in the “Klezmer Idol” contest, garnering second
place!
Open to all students who play band or orchestra instruments including woodwinds, brass,
strings, guitar, bass and piano. We especially need low brass and strings, but all are
welcome. Ability to read music on your instrument is important. A second period is offered
this year for those who want a more in-depth study. If you only want one period, enroll in
period one.
ART159 – OH! The Drama of Joseph and the Musical Too (Grades 8 and 9)
Esther Kosofsky
Joseph—though you know his story, we will take a closer look at this action-packed ‘made
for the stage’ saga. Why did Joseph have this tendency to tattle on his brothers and why
was he Jacob's favorite? And what about that coat, his dreams, ending up in Egypt, his
imprisonment, more dream interpretations and becoming Pharaoh’s second in command?
And years later, how does he reconcile with his brothers? In this course, we will read (out
loud and dramatically) the biblical story of Joseph in the text and discuss what’s written
and our interpretations. We’ll compare traditional commentaries with modern Midrashim
including a read through of the script of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat” in addition to viewing the DVD musical.
ART204 – Rap Converted: The Prozdor Hip-Hop Underground
Josh Krug
"Rap Converted" is a collective where youth come together to develop their own authentic
voices as modern-day Jewish lyricists. Students listen to seminal works of hip-hop,
appreciate Jewish contributions to the art form (from the bible to contemporary Israeli hiphop), play and express themselves to inspire others. Can Jewish voices at Prozdor step
up and be a part of the age-old revolution to spread "Light unto the Nations"? As part of
their final project, Prozdor students will perform their work in a Hip-Hop Slam.
4
ART211 - Print and Surface Design In Your Pocket
Emily Kalina
Funky and creative patterns and prints are in vogue whether it is decorating journals, tote
bags, and cell phone covers. In this class you'll learn that good design is an art, and that
creating finished works is a fascinating process. This class will introduce you to the
exciting and inspirational prints of Jewish American and Israeli designers for inspiration.
We will start by studying what designers are doing, how they are creating their images,
and what makes their work successful. You'll explore the elements of basic design, color,
composition, and shape to create your own original prints. And finally you’ll learn how to
apply them onto the finished works of your choice including iPhone, iPad, iTouch and
other device cases. If you love Pinterest, drawing a little more than painting and admire
apparel/fashion prints, join us!
BIBLE224 - Performing Magic: Cult and Ritual in the Bible
Jason Gaines
A ritual is a special way of doing something that makes it more meaningful or magical.
Rituals govern your life, from the particular way you eat your breakfast to what you do for
luck before taking a test or playing a game. Rituals in the Bible include using animal blood
to purify an altar, mixing a drink that can prove if someone’s lying, making your sins
disappear to avoid punishment, and sacrificing humans (when appropriate, of course). In
this class, we will examine the Israelite cult through reading, acting out, and reinterpreting
their magical rituals.
BIBLE225 - Your Own Midrash: Giving Voice to the Torah
Avi Strausberg
The best way to enter into the stories of the Torah is to write them yourself. Thankfully, the
Torah gives us just sketchy outlines of what our favorite characters are feeling and
thinking as they wander the desert and come together as a people. What was Moshe
thinking as he stared into the mysterious burning bush? How did Miriam feel leaving her
baby brother by the river side? With the help of Midrash and poetry, we’ll focus on different
characters of the Torah and try to get inside their thoughts. Then, we’ll write our own
Midrash, in the form of monologues and scenes, bringing these characters off the page
and into our lives.
BIBLE226 - Judgment Day
Max Werber
With the help of film, music, art, and myth we will discover the personalities and the story
lines of the Book of Judges that make this book a thriller. Using art, music, myth, and film
we will get to know the celebrated personalities before they became bigger than life stars:
like Samson--that Greek god of a man, and Delilah—that raven-haired beauty. Then we
will study the story lines to see if this really is a book of the Bible, or maybe it’s a murder
mystery! You will find out about spies, assassins, secret agents, surprise attacks, and
more--much more! In the Book of Judges, where there is no guts, there is no glory. There
is no homework for this class and no final project is required. All that I ask is that you bring
to class an open mind and a willingness to learn.
ETHIC130 - From Idea to Execution: Business Planning (Jewish-style)
Josh Bob
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This class will introduce students to the tenants of Jewish ethics as they relate to business
and give them a basic understanding of how a company (either for-profit or non-profit) is
created and run. The goal is to expose students to an introduction to Jewish business
ethics, focusing on the teachings of the Tanakh and Pirkei Avot. We will then go through
the basics of what it takes to start a business, including identifying a problem, a target
market, and a solution. We will use case studies to drive home some of the points.
LAW111 – Sex, Sensuality and Modesty Part II
Rabbi David Ehrenkranz
Machon class for more intensive learning
In this course, we will study how Jewish law enhances the spiritual life of marriage by
examining the theoretical framework that is the underpinning for taharat mishpacha (family
purity). We will delve into rabbinic thought regarding the honor of your spouse, especially
as it relates to his or her personal space. We will also attempt to understand how this
covenantal relationship fits within the larger Jewish community. There will be selected
pages of Mishnah, Talmud and Shulchan Aruch; Rambam will be used as the main text.
This course is designed for students who have previously taken LAW104: Sex, Sensuality
and Modesty in Rabbinic Thought. (You make take this class having not taken LAW104
with permission)
PHIL169 - Life is meaningless! Wisdom from the most radical book in the Tanakh
Matt Lowe
Why do we get up in the morning? Why do we try so hard? What's the point? These
questions, perhaps asked by many teenagers on a Monday morning (or around exam
time), echo the thoughts of the author of Ecclesiastes ("Kohelet"), one of the most bizarre
books of the Tanakh. In this class, we will explore the text and answer the challenge to
find wisdom in an absurd world, with a little help from some modern existentialist thinkers.
PHIL203 - Jewish Thought in the 20th century: Four Important Philosophers
(10th and 11th Grades)
Adrian Sackson
Machon class for more intensive learning
The twentieth century was arguably the most tumultuous in Jewish history. It saw the
decimation of a third of the Jewish people, the establishment of an independent Jewish
state for the first time in millennia, and the flourishing of Jewish communities in western
democracies throughout the world. The twentieth century also gave birth to a diverse
range of bold and profound Jewish philosophers, each articulating a different vision of
Jewish life, belief, ritual, ethical engagement, and religious orientation. In this course we
will get to know a few of these thinkers, one at a time. We'll 'spend time' with each
philosopher, get to know different aspects of their thought, 'try on' their ideas, and then
have the opportunity to critique them. Tentatively, the thinkers whose ideas and writings
we'll engage with are: Abraham Joshua Heschel (famous American rabbi and social
activist); Yeshayahu Leibowitz (religious Israeli philosopher and scientist); Mordechai
Kaplan (founder of the 'reconstructionist' stream of Judaism); and Joseph Soloveitchik
(figurehead of American modern Orthodox Judaism). Heschel and Leibowitz will be our
main subjects during the fall semester; in the spring we will look at Kaplan and
Soloveitchik. The ideas and texts we'll be engaging with require serious investment, but
they will hopefully challenge us to think in new and interesting ways.
Students may take the class for first, second, or both semesters.
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SOCJC103 – Gateways
Andrea Lesser-Gonzalez
Course requires pre-approval by Gateways in order to enroll. This is a double-period
course. You must select the course for both periods 1 & 2 or 3 & 4 in order to be enrolled.
Gateways: Access to Jewish Education serves students with moderate to severe
disabilities, most of whom have been unable to participate in synagogue schools or day
schools in order to receive a Jewish Education. Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth graders may
volunteer with Gateways through this program which provides them with the skills for
working successfully with students with disabilities. If you do not have approval from
Gateways and are interested in volunteering and taking this course please contact Rachel
Dayanim at rdayanim@hebrewcollege.edu or Andrea Lesser-Gonzalez at
alessergonzalez@prozdor.org.
SOSTD135 – The Hollywood Connection
Jacqui Adler (double-period class during periods one and two)
Did you know that your favorite movie might have an underlying Jewish premise? Did you
know that Hollywood was created by Jews who produced films that were Jewish in nature
but cloaked in universal principles? Did you know that the first studio moguls fled to
California to escape anti-Semitism and built one of the most powerful industries in the
world? This course will expose the behind-the-scenes development of Hollywood and the
Jewish foundations, ideas and subtext of some of the most popular and acclaimed films in
history of the motion picture industry. We will view films with underlying Jewish themes
and then discuss the impact and the message of the film on society as well as on each
other.
SOSTD187 – Girls Group (10th and 11th Grades)
Elyse Rast
Think about this for a second: You enter your Prozdor classroom, kick off your shoes, take
a deep breath and relax. You know for a little while you can be yourself, focusing on
making yourself happy and having a really good time. When it’s time to go, you leave with
some new skills, feeling empowered and like you can accomplish anything! In this class
you can do all those things... and more! We’re going to draw on Jewish tradition, literature,
holidays and beliefs while doing meditation, relaxation, arts and crafts, storytelling, drama
and music. You’ll be in a safe place, have a chance to articulate your questions and
concerns, have fun and be real.
SOSTD209 – Prozdor Yearbook and E-Journal (Leadership Course)
TBA
In this class, we will assemble a quarterly e-journal of stories, news, art, humor, poetry and
opinion pieces. We will examine the works of journalists, humorists, bloggers and others to
help shape the e-journal. Students will be responsible for seeking contributors to this
journal as well as writing, layout, and editing. Students will also take on the role of creating
the Prozdor yearbook. The yearbook will be a lasting memory of everything that has
happened during the year at Prozdor. If you are interested in writing, editing/layout,
photography and creating a lasting impact on the Prozdor community, then this is the class
for you.
HIGH SCHOOL: Period 2 (10:25–11:15 a.m.)
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ART103 – Prozdor Klezmer Band
Glenn Dickson
One of the most exciting art electives for our Prozdor musicians is the extraordinary
Klezmer Band. This is an authentic Klezmer band and plays the vibrant music of Eastern
European Jewish origin. It is a performance oriented group which will perform fall and
spring concerts at Prozdor, the Prozdor graduation and other events when possible. Last
year the group played at Ryles Jazz Club in the “Klezmer Idol” contest, garnering second
place! Open to all students who play band or orchestra instruments including woodwinds,
brass, strings, guitar, bass and piano. We especially need low brass and strings, but all
are welcome. Ability to read music on your instrument is important. A second period is
offered this year for those who want a more in-depth study. If you only want one period,
enroll in period one.
ART152 – Jewish A Cappella
Kevin Margolius
A cappella music, singing without instruments, is one of the most popular Jewish art forms
on college campuses, and now it comes to Prozdor! Add your voice to the close-harmony
blend of Prozdor’s newest performing group. No experience is necessary, but you should
have a good voice and a great attitude. We’ll be singing a variety of Jewish and Israeli
music, with performances at Prozdor in May, as well as at some area events.
ART213 - Art, the Bible, and the Big Bang
Max Werber
This art class, which requires no prior training or experience, will revolve around the
connection between the Bible and the Big Bang. We will investigate through the art that we
do the notion of creation as seen in the Big Bang Theory and as witnessed in Genesis.
The art projects we do will be based on an examination of both chaos and creation.
The art of the new and scientific breakthroughs have walked together hand in hand now
for the last 150 years or more. We are simply continuing in that tradition by exploring the
overlap between art, science, and the Bible. The only thing that is required of you is that
you bring to class your best effort and an open mind.
ART212 - What’s Your Story?
Emily Kalina
In this class we will be looking to some of Jewish comic book creator Stan Lee’s most well
loved and best known characters; SpiderMan, the Hulk, Fantastic Four and The Avengers
as creation myths. We’ll discuss what the underlying themes and values are that Lee is
addressing and explore his use of color, design, and composition by creating your own
character and origin story.
Everyone has a story to tell- what’s yours?
BIBLE209 - Tales of Love and War: Ancient Mythology
Jason Gaines
The Israelites and their neighbors produced some of the most interesting myths the world
has ever known. The cultures of Israel, Babylon, Assyria, and Ugarit left behind stories
where the Sea has a cosmic battle with Death, young princesses throw tantrums that
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disrupt the course of the stars, and giant primordial animals connive their way into power.
In this class, we will read these and other ancient legends, including epic battles of
creation, stories of heroics, and folk tales of loss, power, and love.
BIBLE227 - Who’s Who among the Rabbis
Avi Strausberg
The rabbis of our rabbinic texts are far from the standard, one-size fits all rabbi we might
imagine them to be. Rather, they are a quirky casts of individuals, full of their own spirit
and life. Together, we’ll investigate some central texts in the Gemara and Mishna,
discovering the delightfully varied array of rabbinic personalities and finding some of our
own to love and identify with. You just might discover a favorite rabbi to call your own.
HIST105 – Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Oh My! Jewish Denominationalism in
America
Daniel Parmer
This course will explore the beginnings and historical trajectories of the major Jewish
denominations in America. The U.S. is host to the greatest variety of expressions of
Jewishness. The class will explore how each major denomination has developed, their
relationship to the broader Jewish community, and the major historical events that have
shaped and defined the movements. We will discuss what it means to belong to a
particular denomination versus the Jewish people. Finally, the class will take a field trip to
look at examples of how these denominations are represented in our own community.
HIST158 - Safe and Afraid: American Jews during the Holocaust Era
Norman Finkelstein
When the Nazis came to power in Germany, Jews in the United States reacted with horror.
But, what could they do? Themselves targets of a vocal anti-Semitism in the 1920s and
1930s, they faced a dilemma: actively and publicly protest Nazi plans as Peter Bergson
and his group did or engage in quiet diplomacy as advocated by Rabbi Stephen S. Wise.
Some say American Jews could have done more to save the Jews of Europe. Others say
that they did what they could given the times. In this class we will look back at news
accounts and primary documents to analyze their choices.
HIST184 – The Jewish-American Experience through the Graphic Novel
David List
There are many ways in which we can discover and learn about our history. Together we
will read through graphic novels such as Maus, Jew Gangster, Waltz with Bashir and The
Contract with God to gain entry into the minds of great writers to see how they tell the tale
of the Jewish-American experience. We will explore the history of the Jewish Graphic
Novel and discover how and why many Jewish writers chose to explore the Jewish world
through this medium. Graphic novels are a quick and fun read. It is the expectation that
those who take this class read assignments outside of class and be prepared to discuss
them on Sunday.
ART103 - Jewish Readers Theatre
Esther Kosofsky
What is Jewish Readers Theatre? Jewish Readers Theatre is a great way to read scripts
and plays out loud (dramatically!) with others while learning about Jewish culture, history
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and traditions. You don't have to be a born actor to be in this course; all you need is the
ability to read, to use your imagination and to enjoy yourself. We will read the play script
“The Chosen” adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok. As we read and act out the play,
we will discuss major themes in this piece of literature including assimilation, relationships,
communication, and the conflict between secular and religious Jews. We’ll learn a bissel
Yiddish, too.
PHIL168 - People of the Book and Beyond: Other World Religions and Judaism
Josh Bob
This class will introduce the students to the belief systems of those around them; Jews are
a significant minority, both in this country and in the world, and it behooves us to
understand what the rest of the world believes in order to better understand our own faith.
The primary component of the course is an overview of the world’s major religions
(Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism if time allows) and how they interface with
and impact Judaism. The goal is to expose students to the world’s major belief systems,
including their origins, theology, themes, and practices, and come away with a good basic
knowledge of how people of other faiths live.
RITUAL119 – Praying for the Perplexed
Rabbi David Ehrenkranz
Machon class for more intensive learning
We will explore and examine the mechanics and the underlying laws and customs of
Tefilla. We will follow the order of the day (waking up, washing hands, Birchat HaTorah,
Pesukei Dezimrah, Kriat Shema, Shemoneh Esreh, Mincha, Ma’ariv, etc.) when studying
the various prayers that we are obligated to say on a daily basis. We will cover the
following topics: Interruptions during Kriat Shema and Brachot, Kavvanah, problematic
situations and places while praying, the obligation to pray, text of the Shemoneh Esreh,
preparations for davvening, one who misses a prayer, Mincha, Ma’ariv, Yamim Noraim,
Shalosh Regalim, Chol HaMoed, fast days, Chanukah and Purim. Each student will
develop a deeper understanding and deeper appreciation for Tefilla after a thorough
analysis of each prayer and interactive quizzes that are designed to make the student
more vested in his/her learning of the Tefillot. Each student is required to bring a Siddur to
class and must take careful notes in order to get the most out of this class. It would be
ideal if each student would make a concerted effort to attend his/her respective
synagogues and actively participate on Shabbat, Yamim Tovim as well as other days
when school is not in session (i.e. Sundays, Winter, Spring and Summer breaks, snow
days). I look forward to rejuvenating everyone’s kavvanah and I look forward to seeing
each student develop and progress at his/her own level and rate of understanding. I am
sure that we can work together to develop a more inspired praying.
SOCJC103 – Gateways
Andrea Lesser-Gonzalez
Course requires pre-approval by Gateways in order to enroll. This is a double-period
course. You must select the course for both periods 1 & 2 or 3 & 4 in order to be enrolled.
Gateways: Access to Jewish Education serves students with moderate to severe
disabilities, most of whom have been unable to participate in synagogue schools or day
schools in order to receive a Jewish Education. Tenth, eleventh and twelfth graders may
volunteer with Gateways through this program which provides them with the skills for
working successfully with students with disabilities.
10
SOSTD135 – The Hollywood Connection
Jacqui Adler (double-period class during periods one and two)
Did you know that your favorite movie might have an underlying Jewish premise? Did you
know that Hollywood was created by Jews who produced films that were Jewish in nature
but cloaked in universal principles? Did you know that the first studio moguls fled to
California to escape anti-Semitism and built one of the most powerful industries in the
world? This course will expose the behind-the-scenes development of Hollywood and the
Jewish foundations, ideas and subtext of some of the most popular and acclaimed films in
history of the motion picture industry. We will view films with underlying Jewish themes
and then discuss the impact and the message of the film on society as well as on each
other.
SOSTD187 – Girls Group (8th and 9th Grades)
Elyse Rast
Think about this for a second: You enter your Prozdor classroom, kick off your shoes, take
a deep breath and relax. You know for a little while you can be yourself, focus on making
yourself happy and having a really good time. When it’s time to go, you leave with some
new skills; feeling empowered and like you can accomplish anything! In this class you can
do all those things... and more! We’re going to draw on Jewish tradition, literature, holidays
and beliefs while doing meditation, relaxation, arts and crafts, storytelling, drama and
music. You’ll be in a safe place, have a chance to articulate your questions and concerns
have fun and be real.
SOSTD208 – Prozdor Student Leaders (Leadership Course)
Emilia Diamant
Be a part of a core group of Prozdor students on the path of transformation into a
community of leaders. We’ll explore our communal Jewish identities by engaging in the
study of Jewish texts and Jewish history as they relate to community, leadership, and
justice. We’ll hone the skills necessary for leadership and take advantage of leadership
opportunities at Prozdor and in our own communities.
SOSTD210 - The Haifa-Boston Multimedia Project (Leadership Course)
Michal Weiner
This class is designed to create two teams, one from Prozdor and the other from the Reali
School, of multimedia student leaders, who will be responsible for creating textual, audio
and video content that will be showcased on the web. This class creates a new way for
students from both schools to communicate with each other and talk about their
experiences. The class will consist of a continuous creative dialogue channel for those
who are actively participating in the creation of the content, and a portal for the world to
see the output of their work. Students will learn how to create news stories, audio and
video stories, maintain a website and to use social networks in order to advance the
marketing of the portal, both locally and internationally.
TALMD104 - For the Sake of Argument: Debates of the Rabbis
Adrian Sackson
Machon class for more intensive learning
The Jewish tradition, it has been said, is a big collection of conversations—arguments,
debates, disagreements, and discussions—that have continued for thousands of years.
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The Talmud, in particular, is our tradition's biggest, messiest collection of voices. In this
course, we'll spend time with a few key personalities from our tradition: Hillel and
Shammai, Rabbi Akiva, and others. We'll enter debates that are thousands of years old,
about a number of challenging questions: Is it good that we exist? What role should
religion play in our lives? How should we behave toward other people? How should
society work? What’s more important: loyalty to religious tradition or personal meaning and
relevance? Our course will have two main goals: (1) To gain a better understanding of
some central Jewish texts and key personalities (mostly from the Talmud); and (2) To
participate in the debates and discussions that we're reading about, thoughtfully beginning
to form our own opinions.
HIGH SCHOOL: Period 3 (11:45 a.m.–12:35 p.m.)
ART102 – Nilhav Dance Troupe (Year Long Course)
Jennie Berger
Have you ever wanted to be on stage? Well here’s your chance! Nilhav is a group of
dedicated teenagers who love to dance. You’ll learn Israeli dance – ranging from the more
traditional, to hip-hop and salsa. Over the course of the first semester, you will master a 5minute choreographed dance piece. Second semester, we perform at the amazing Boston
and New York Israeli dance festivals as well as at our own Yom Tarbut. Boys and girls are
welcome! All students participating in Nilhav must make a commitment to the rehearsal
and performance schedule, which includes some time outside of Prozdor. Nilhav dances
for joy, because what else do we need!
Field trips: MIT (March 10th, plus a tech rehearsal at MIT the week before) and New York
City (March 17th) for their dance festivals.
ART152 – Jewish A Cappella
Kevin Margolius
A cappella music, singing without instruments, is one of the most popular Jewish art forms
on college campuses, and now it comes to Prozdor! Add your voice to the close-harmony
blend of Prozdor’s newest performing group. No experience is necessary, but you should
have a good voice and a great attitude. We’ll be singing a variety of Jewish and Israeli
music, with performances at Prozdor in May, as well as at some area events.
ART211 - Print and Surface Design In Your Pocket
Emily Kalina
Funky and creative patterns and prints are in vogue whether it is decorating journals, tote
bags, and cell phone covers. In this class you'll learn that good design is an art, and that
creating finished works is a fascinating process. This class will introduce you to the
exciting and inspirational prints of Jewish American and Israeli designers for inspiration.
We will start by studying what designers are doing, how they are creating their images,
and what makes their work successful. You'll explore the elements of basic design, color,
composition, and shape to create your own original prints. And finally you’ll learn how to
apply them onto the finished works of your choice including IPhone, IPad, ITouch and
other device cases. If you love Pinterest, drawing a little more than painting and admire
apparel/fashion prints, join us!
ART213 - Art, the Bible, and the Big Bang
12
Max Werber
This art class, which requires no prior training or experience, will revolve around the
connection between the Bible and the Big Bang. We will investigate through the art that we
do the notion of creation as seen in the Big Bang Theory and as witnessed in Genesis.
The art projects we do will be based on an examination of both chaos and creation. The
art of the new and scientific breakthroughs have walked together hand in hand now for the
last 150 years or more. We are simply continuing in that tradition by exploring the overlap
between art, science, and the Bible. The only thing that is required of you is that you bring
to class your best effort and an open mind.
BIBLE230 -The Real “Housewives” of the Bible: Dinah and Miriam (Grades 9-11)
Esther Kosofsky
Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob, had twelve brothers. When she became a teenager,
who can blame her for wanting to hang out in the big city? And once there, did Dinah fall in
love with a foreigner or was she raped? Did her brothers overreact when they heard what
they believed happened to their little sister? And what was Dinah’s fate?
Miriam, the sister of Aaron and Moses, had many jobs and responsibilities. She was a
prophet (a what?), a musician, and a leader—but she never married. Why? Was she too
busy saving her baby brother, Moses, from drowning in the Nile and then raising him while
working for Pharaoh’s daughter? Or later, was she too involved in helping lead the
Israelites out of Egypt and across the sea or was she working too hard to find water as the
Israelites wandered in the desert? Maybe she was just too strong.
In this course, we will read the Torah text stories of Dinah and Miriam along with
traditional/biblical and modern Midrashim (interpretive stories). Discussion questions will
include:
-What has been left out of each story that you would like to know?
-Are the characteristics and actions of the people in these stories still present in our world?
-How are these women and their stories relevant to modern life, especially your own?
BIBLE228 - Parasha in Present Tense
Josh Bob
The Torah is thousands of years old, but it’s still relevant to our lives. Each week, students
will discuss parashat ha’shavuah (the weekly Torah portion) and how it relates to current
affairs from the past week. Expect to be entertained, educated, and enlightened! Students
will not be expected to write a D’var Torah during the course, but are strongly encouraged
to read the portion in advance and also to follow current events.
BIBLE225 - Your Own Midrash: Giving Voice to the Torah
Avi Strausberg
The best way to enter into the stories of the Torah is to write them yourself. Thankfully, the
Torah gives us just sketchy outlines of what our favorite characters are feeling and
thinking as they wander the desert and come together as a people. What was Moshe
thinking as he stared into the mysterious burning bush? How did Miriam feel leaving her
baby brother by the river side? With the help of Midrash and poetry, we’ll focus on different
characters of the Torah and try to get inside their thoughts. Then, we’ll write our own
Midrash, in the form of monologues and scenes, bringing these characters off the page
and into our lives.
13
ISRST135 – Israel Advocacy in the 21st Century (Leadership Course)
Dan Brosgol
Machon class for more intensive learning
To some Israel is the Holy Land; to others it is a land of culture and innovation. Some think
of Israel’s beaches, while others think about its archeological sites. Many people associate
Israel with war and struggle, specifically, to what has become known as the Arab-Israeli
conflict. Throughout this course, we will learn about the major issues dividing Israelis and
Palestinians and why the political landscape is so difficult to resolve. What are the
historical, political, and cultural elements that separate these two peoples? While this
conflict makes up only one piece of Israel’s society, understanding the conflict is critical to
understanding Israel today. In this course we will be exploring key primary-source
documents along with critical thinking assessments and classroom debates. Our goal is to
develop an appreciation of the complexities of this conflict through an examination of its
origins, the actors involved, and the key historical and political factors that have shaped it.
This program will be enriched by collaboration between students from the Reali School in
Haifa and students from Prozdor. The two peer groups will be working together throughout
the year via video conferencing. It is crucial that both Israeli and non-Israeli Jewish teens
are given the opportunity to learn the Israeli narrative, be exposed to and appreciate
different points of view, and widen their cultural and general knowledge of Israel and the
Middle East. In the spring, the Haifa students will be hosted by the American students, and
both groups will take part in a full day of intensive workshops in Boston.
PHIL173 – Choose Your Own Jewish Philosophical Adventure
Matt Lowe
Do you ever wonder about anything? Then this class is for you! Get to the bottom (or at
least part of the way down) to your deepest questions about life with the help of
philosophy, the millennia-old practice of asking questions. This class is an introduction to
philosophy, with introductory workshops on asking questions, listening, and having
productive philosophical arguments. The bulk of the semester will involve self-(or group-)
guided exploration of philosophical issues.
PHIL204 – How we Explain the “Why” in Judaism
Rabbi David Ehrenkranz
Machon class for more intensive learning
Very often we hear the question "why" uttered from so many people at different stages of
life. Sometimes the "why" can mean so many different things depending on who is asking
it. How we choose to answer this question will define what kind of Judaism we want for
ourselves and for our children. We will explore complex topics such as "Truth", "Love",
"Evil", "Free Will" and "God". By examining how Jewish and non-Jewish philosophers
struggled with these topics we will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of our
own reality and humanity.
SOCJC103 – Gateways
Andrea Lesser-Gonzalez
Course requires pre-approval by Gateways in order to enroll. This is a double-period
course. You must select the course for both periods 1 & 2 or 3 & 4 in order to be enrolled.
Gateways: Access to Jewish Education serves students with moderate to severe
disabilities, most of whom have been unable to participate in synagogue schools or day
schools in order to receive a Jewish Education. Tenth, Eleventh and twelfth graders may
volunteer with Gateways through this program which provides them with the skills for
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working successfully with students with disabilities. If you do not have approval from
Gateways and are interested in volunteering and taking this course please contact Rachel
Dayanim at rdayanim@hebrewcollege.edu or Andrea Lesser-Gonzalez at
alessergonzalez@prozdor.org.
SOCJC104 – TELEM: Connecting Generation
Rabbi Julie Zupan
In this Jewish service learning experience, class study is supplemented with periodic site
visits (during class time on Sunday mornings) to Coleman House senior residence on the
JCC campus in Newton. Students can expect to build relationships with seniors, share
wisdom, and gain inspiration. We will use Jewish text study, stories, news articles,
activities and reflection exercises to better understand the lives of older adults. This class
can be taken one or both semesters and is offered pass/fail.
SOSTD205 - Jewish Culture in Mainstream Films
Jacqui Adler (double-period class during periods 3 and 4)
What do movies mean to you? Are they just enjoyable entertainment or is there something
that you can learn by watching them? When you watch a film do you delve into the film’s
underlying themes and messages? Do you ever think about how films influence the culture
around you? In this class we will also learn how to “read” into the filmmaker’s intentions.
We will explore and analyze the inner Jewish themes of these mainstream movies through
discussion and we will expose the inner workings of character, story, history, social
responsibility, triumph and loss.
TALMD107 – Times and Values: An Exploration
Adrian Sackson
Machon class for more intensive learning
Since ancient times, the special days in the Jewish calendar have helped individuals and
communities express their values, concerns, ideals, and ideas. Over the course of Jewish
history, the number of festivals and fasts expanded, incorporating such occasions as
Purim, Hannukah, and Tisha B'Av. Even in the last century, new days were added to our
calendar, in response to the Holocaust and the establishment of the state of Israel. Over
time, the values associated with each occasion have grown and evolved. In this course,
we will not look at the practices and rituals performed on each day. Rather, we'll look at
ideas, values, stories and arguments associated with each occasion, through both
traditional Jewish texts and modern literature. What is freedom? When is forgiveness
appropriate? How should we remember the past? What makes a person a hero? What are
the boundaries of debate? Through the calendar and texts of our tradition, we'll explore
these issues and more. [Parts of this elective are loosely based on a curriculum developed
for secular Israeli high schools by the Hartman Institute.]
HIGH SCHOOL: Period 4 (12:40–1:30 p.m.)
ART102 – Nilhav Dance Troupe (year-long Course)
Jennie Berger
Have you ever wanted to be on stage? Well here’s your chance! Nilhav is a group of
dedicated teenagers who love to dance. You’ll learn Israeli dance – ranging from the more
traditional, to hip-hop and salsa. Over the course of the first semester, you will master a 5
15
minute choreographed dance piece. Second semester, we perform at the amazing Boston
and New York Israeli dance festivals as well as at our own Yom Tarbut. Boys and girls are
welcome! All students participating in Nilhav must make a commitment to the rehearsal
and performance schedule, which includes some time outside of Prozdor. Nilhav dances
for joy, because what else do we need!
Field trips: MIT (March 10th, plus a tech rehearsal at MIT the week before) and New York
(March 17th) for their dance festivals
ART182: The Jewbe-GLEE Project
Esther Kosofsky
In The Jewbe-GLEE Project, we will work as a glee group on songs by the group Schlock
Rock, a Jewish Rock Band that teaches Jewish ideas through music using song parodies
and original music in both English and Hebrew. We’ll learn about song parodies and
create some of our own. (You may have already written a few for camp or school).
Possible songs:
Every Bite You Take (a parody of “Every Breath You Take” by The Police)
Under the Chuppah (“Under the Boardwalk” by the Drifters)
Matzah Man (“Macho Man” by The Village People)
Help Me Rambam ( “Help Me Rhonda” by The Beach Boys)
Learning to Dance the Hora (“Living Da Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin)
Do You Know Your Hebrew Name (“There Ain’t Nothing Like a Dame” from South Pacific)
and more!
If you have a Jewish/Hebrew song that you’d like to try with The Jewbe-GLEE Project,
bring it on!
ART212 - What’s Your Story?
Emily Kalina
In this class we will be looking to some of Jewish comic book creator Stan Lee’s most well
loved and best known characters; SpiderMan, the Hulk, Fantastic Four and The Avengers
as creation myths. We’ll discuss what the underlying themes and values are that Lee is
addressing and explore his use of color, design, and composition by creating your own
character and origin story. Everyone has a story to tell, what’s yours?
BIBLE224 - Performing Magic: Cult and Ritual in the Bible
Jason Gaines
A ritual is a special way of doing something that makes it more meaningful or magical.
Rituals govern your life, from the particular way you eat your breakfast to what you do for
luck before taking a test or playing a game. Rituals in the Bible include using animal blood
to purify an altar, mixing a drink that can prove if someone’s lying, making your sins
disappear to avoid punishment, and sacrificing humans (when appropriate, of course). In
this class, we will examine the Israelite cult through reading, acting out, and reinterpreting
their magical rituals.
BIBLE226 - Judgment Day
Max Werber
With the help of film, music, art, and myth we will discover the personalities and the story
lines of the Book of Judges that make this book a thriller. Using art, music, myth, and film
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we will get to know the celebrated personalities before they became bigger than life stars:
like Samson--that Greek god of a man, and Delilah—that raven-haired beauty. Then we
will study the story lines to see if this really is a book of the Bible, or maybe it’s a murder
mystery! You will find out about spies, assassins, secret agents, surprise attacks, and
more--much more. In the Book of Judges, where there is no guts, there is no glory. There
is no homework for this class and no final project is required. All that I ask is that you bring
to class an open mind and a willingness to learn.
BIBLE229 – Is this why we left Egypt?
Rabbi David Ehrenkranz
Machon class for more intensive learning
We will focus on the second half of the Book of Exodus and try to understand why we
chose to give up one type of slavery (to Pharaoh) for another type of slavery (to God).
What benefit, if any, is there to observing laws in general, and God's Commandments in
particular? Are these laws archaic and obsolete, or do they hold relevance for the Jew in
the 21st century and beyond. By exploring different biblical commentators and
philosophers we will gain a deeper appreciation for the second type of "slavery" that we
agreed upon thousands of years ago.
BIBLE227 - Who’s who among the Rabbis
Avi Strausberg
The rabbis of our rabbinic texts are far from the standard, one-size fits all rabbi we might
imagine them to be. Rather, they are a quirky casts of individuals, full of their own spirit
and life. Together, we’ll investigate some central texts in the Gemara and Mishna,
discovering the delightfully varied array of rabbinic personalities and finding some of our
own to love and identify with. You just might discover a favorite rabbi to call your own.
HIST133 - Three Cases of Anti-Semitism: Dreyfus, Beilis and Frank
Norman Finkelstein
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, three legal cases captured the attention
of the entire world. In each, a Jew was accused of a crime he didn’t commit. In this course
we will study the Dreyfus Affair in France, the Beilis Affair in Russia and the Frank Affair in
the United States. Using contemporary news reports and selected background material
and film excerpts we will discuss the impact these events had on the larger Jewish
community and the world. Each of the cases forced the Jewish world to action. We will see
how the events led to the creation of today’s Jewish defense organization such as the
American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.
LITR196 - Jewish Prayer: Angels of Lights and Demons of Darkness
Kevin Margolius
Jewish prayer confronts some of our deepest fears. In this class, we will look at some of
the forces of good and evil in Jewish liturgy. For example, some prayers ask for angels to
guide and protect us from the dangers that lurk in the dark. Along the way, we will
encounter Midrash and folktales, and sing some of the music written to enhance these
prayers.
PHIL205 – A Reactionary and a Radical: the Jewish philosophy of Yehuda Halevi
and Moses Maimonides (10th and 11th Grades)
Adrian Sackson
17
Machon class for more intensive learning
Yehuda Halevi and Moses Maimonides are two of the most important Jewish philosophers
ever to have lived. Halevi, seen by many as a thinker who represents a 'traditionalist'
approach to Judaism, wrote a book that tells the story of a king searching for the 'right'
religion. The king invites a Muslim, a Christian, a Philosopher, and a Jew to present the
case for each of their approaches to religion, and then enters into an extended
philosophical and theological dialogue with the Jew about various aspects of Judaism.
Unlike Halevi, Maimonides held ideas so radical that whole communities were divided over
them long after his death—in some places, his books were banned, or even burned.
Maimonides advocated an approach to Judaism that saw rationality and the intellect as the
ultimate guides to truth. Though Halevi and Maimonides lived more than 800 years ago,
many of the tensions and debates reflected in their writings remain relevant to discussions
about religion today. In this course, we'll be introduced to Yehuda Halevi's main work, the
Kuzari (in the fall semester), and Maimonides’ philosophical book, Guide of the Perplexed
(in the spring semester). We'll see what these two, very different, thinkers have to say
about a range of issues, including the purpose of Judaism, the relationship between
religion and reason, the origins of the universe, the existence of God and the purpose of
religious actions. The course has two main goals: (1) To familiarize ourselves with the
controversial ideas of these important Jewish thinkers; and (2) To ‘bounce’ off their
worldviews in our attempts to sharpen our own opinions about religion, science,
philosophy and truth. The course is open to students interested in reading very challenging
but very rewarding texts that may even change the way that we look at Judaism and
religion.
Students may take the class for first, second, or both semesters.
SOCJC103 – Gateways
Andrea Lesser-Gonzalez
Course requires pre-approval by Gateways in order to enroll. This is a double-period
course. You must select the course for both periods 1 & 2 or 3 & 4 in order to be enrolled.
Gateways: Access to Jewish Education serves students with moderate to severe
disabilities, most of whom have been unable to participate in synagogue schools or day
schools in order to receive a Jewish Education. Tenth, Eleventh and twelfth graders may
volunteer with Gateways through this program which provides them with the skills for
working successfully with students with disabilities.
SOCJC124 – Make a Difference in Your Community
Michal Weiner
Have you ever wondered how Jewish values are relevant to your everyday life? Have you
been searching for a way to influence your own community? In this course, you will have a
chance to re-evaluate the morals and values that are most important to you as an
individual and as part of a broader community. You will create and carry out a social
justice project of your choice. You will also learn about video-editing technology and create
a personal representation of your. This will be shared on the web and screened at a public
debut! If you love challenging discussions, interesting interactions, and proactive
contributions to the greater community, this is the course for you!
SOCJC123 – Sustainability through a Jewish Lens
Laura Bellows
18
A curriculum developed with TELEM and the Teva Learning Center will introduce students
to various topics regarding sustainability. This class will cover topics such as: Agricultural
Jewish Justice, Fair Trade, Energy Efficiency, caring for animals, and climate change. As
a part of this class you will help to create a community garden at Hebrew College, work on
sustainability projects and help to create positive change in the community.
SOSTD191 – A Coat of Many Colors: Diversity among the Jewish People
Daniel Parmer
When we look at the people we daven with, or camp with, or attend Hebrew school with
we probably mainly see white. But Jews come in all colors. The class focuses on the
diversity in the American Jewish community as we explore the historical development of
Jews from different origins. The class will discuss issues of conversion, exclusion, and
pluralism within the Jewish community. We will also explore other forms of diversity such
as ability, gender, and sexual orientation. We will use film and (hopefully!) guest speakers
to learn about the experience of Jews in our communities.
HEBR/SOSTD193 – Self Defense and Leadership (Taught in Hebrew)
Yigal Pe’eri
This advanced Hebrew course will follow the Biblical Hero's code: Help and protect the
weak, be equal to the strong and crush the evil. It is a well known fact that the secrets of
Oriental Martial Arts came from the Middle East, so there's no wonder that this is also the
Samurai code. Using the knowledge of The Bible and Martial arts Philosophies to provide
positive thinking, developing Mental Strength and Flexibility and understanding and
unleashing the Power of Innovation and Creativity that made Abraham, Moses and David
champions! In practical terms we will recognize the four areas that will make one a
champion combined with simplified self defense and self control techniques.
SOSTD203: From Hook-ups to Chuppah: Meeting, Dating and Marrying Jewish
(10th and 11th grades only unless approval has been received from teacher)
Josh Bob
Why is it important to your parents that you only date Jewish people? What does it matter
who you marry, if you're only 16? What do the Rabbis say about relationships? Let's talk
about how the world sees Jewish people, how we see ourselves, and how that affects our
choices when it comes to who we spend our quality time with.
The goal is to engage students in conversation about the Jewish relationship lifecycle –
from first dates and crushes to marriage – and to have them come away with a good basic
knowledge of the facts so they are able to make informed decisions.
SOSTD205 - Jewish Culture in Mainstream Films
Jacqui Adler (double-period class during periods three and four)
What do movies mean to you? Are they just enjoyable entertainment or is there something
that you can learn by watching them? When you watch a film do you delve into the film’s
underlying themes and messages? Do you ever think about how films influence the culture
around you? In this class we will also learn how to “read” into the filmmaker’s intentions.
We will explore and analyze the inner Jewish themes of these mainstream movies through
discussion and we will expose the inner workings of character, story, history, social
responsibility, triumph and loss.
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SOSTD207 – Trending Now
Rabbi Julie Zupan
In this current events class we’ll look at what people are blogging about, watching, sharing
and tweeting in an effort to understand the world around us and our place in it. We focus
on what’s most important to us both as members of the Jewish community and as citizens
of the world.
SOSTD206 – Stand up Tribe: Jewish Humor Workshop
Josh Krug
In this course, students will do more than three things. One of these things will be
exploring what makes something funny funny. Another of these things will be learning
about Jewish comedy from the Book-of-Esther to Borat, the Fiddler to Safran-Foer, and
the schlemiel to the schlimazel. Another of these things will be actually writing and
performing Jewish humor.
Sunday Prozdor Leadership Courses
SOSTD208 – Prozdor Student Leaders
Emilia Diamant
Be a part of a core group of Prozdor students on the path of transformation into a
community of leaders. We’ll explore our communal Jewish identities by engaging in the
study of Jewish texts and Jewish history as they relate to community, leadership, and
justice. We’ll hone the skills necessary for leadership and take advantage of leadership
opportunities at Prozdor and in our own communities.
SOCJC109 – Preparing for Gateways
Rachel Dayanim
This course is a precursor to volunteering for Gateways, and will give an overview of how
to work with people with special needs. We will cover such topics as “What is a Learning
Disability” and “Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome,” as well as give an overview of basic
teaching strategies to use when working with children with disabilities. Guest speakers will
be invited to present more detailed information on topics such as working with hearingimpaired children, teaching communication skills, and using adaptive equipment. This
class is largely influenced by Jewish views on disabilities and discovering how the Torah
defines and deals with people with differences. A visit to Gateways will be a part of this
course, and a presentation will be required of all participants. Please note: Gateways has
its own interview process-this class does not guarantee admittance to Gateways.
ISRST135 – Israel Advocacy in the 21st Century
Dan Brosgol
To some Israel is the Holy Land; to others it is a land of culture and innovation. Some think
of Israel’s beaches, while others think about its archeological sites. Many people associate
Israel with war and struggle, specifically, to what has become known as the Arab-Israeli
conflict. Throughout this course, we will learn about the major issues dividing Israelis and
Palestinians and why the political landscape is so difficult to resolve. What are the
historical, political, and cultural elements that separate these two peoples? While this
conflict makes up only one piece of Israel’s society, understanding the conflict is critical to
20
understanding Israel today. In this course we will be exploring key primary-source
documents along with critical thinking assessments and classroom debates. Our goal is to
develop an appreciation of the complexities of this conflict through an examination of its
origins, the actors involved, and the key historical and political factors that have shaped it.
This program will be enriched by collaboration between students from the Reali School in
Haifa and students from Prozdor. The two peer groups will be working together throughout
the year via video conferencing. It is crucial that both Israeli and non-Israeli Jewish teens
are given the opportunity to learn the Israeli narrative, be exposed to and appreciate
different points of view, and widen their cultural and general knowledge of Israel and the
Middle East. In the spring, the Haifa students will be hosted by the American students, and
both groups will take part in a full day of intensive workshops in Boston.
SOSTD209 – Prozdor Yearbook and E-Journal
Andy Pankin
In this class, we will assemble a quarterly e-journal of stories, news, art, humor, poetry and
opinion pieces. We will examine the works of journalists, humorists, bloggers and others to
help shape the e-journal. Students will be responsible for seeking contributors to this
journal as well as writing, layout, and editing. Students will also take on the role of creating
the Prozdor yearbook. The yearbook will be a lasting memory of everything that has
happened during the year at Prozdor. If you are interested in writing, editing/layout,
photography and creating a lasting impact on the Prozdor community, then this is the class
for you.
21
MONDAY AT TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM
NASHUA, NH, 6:00-8:00 pm
This year at Temple Beth Abraham, we are moving to a trimester structure with thematic
teaching, as opposed to semester-long classes. Each trimester will conclude with a
community program. Final trimester course offerings will be introduced in early September.
Heidi Lovitz, Rabbi Spira-Savett, Esther Kosofsky, and Scott Roland will be teaching the
classes.
Topics of exploration
Students will explore different themes and modules of learning in a trimester framework,
with three family/community programs at the conclusion of each trimester. Topics of study
will include
Service and leadership
Advocacy and activism
Social media
Gender issues
Ecology/food responsibility/21st century Judaism
Teen safety
Rituals/celebrations/traditions
Dates
Trimester #1
Contemporary Judaism
September 10, 24
October 15, 22, 29
November 5, 19, 26
Program #1
December 3
Trimester #2
Am Yisrael
January 7, 14, 28
February 4, 11
Program #2
March 4
Trimester #3
Global Judaism
March 11, 18
April 8, 15, 29
May 6, 13
Program #3
May 20
22
MONDAY TORAH HUB FOR TEENS
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NORTH SHORE TEEN INITATIVE AND NORTH
SHORE SYNAGOGUES
Prozdor is proud to be back on the North Shore in 2012-13.
As a part of a unique partnership between Prozdor, the Jewish Federation of the North
Shore, the North Shore Teen Initiative, and three North Shore synagogues, we will be
coordinating the monthly “Torah Hub for Teens” this year, in addition to planning and
participating in a fall leadership retreat at Camp Ramah from September 28-30.
Congregation Shirat Hayam (Swampscott), Temple Sinai (Marblehead), Temple Beth
Abraham (Peabody), Temple B’nai Abraham (Beverly), and Temple Ner Tamid (Peabody)
will be participating in this new program.
Torah Hub dates and topics for 2012-13 are:
September 28-30: Leadership Shabbaton at Camp Ramah in Palmer, MA
October 15: Democracy, elections, and Jewish values
November 19: Hunger simulation
December 10: Improv, Chanukah, and celebration
January 28: Coexistence
February 25: Advocacy and the legislative process
March 18: Eco-Judaism and sustainability
April 22: Yom HaShoah
May 13: Yom HaAtzmaut
Torah Hub will rotate through all of the partner sites for the coming year and will eventually
be housed at the new Aviv Center in Peabody.
For more information on Torah Hub for Teens, please be in touch with David List at
Prozdor or Adam Smith at the North Shore Teen Initiative
23
WEDNESDAY AT TEMPLE EMUNAH
LEXINGTON, MA
Period 1 (6:00 – 6:50 p.m.)
ART123 - Art, the Bible, and the Big Bang
Max Werber
This art class, which requires no prior training or experience, will revolve around the
connection between the Bible and the Big Bang. We will investigate through the art that
we do the notion of creation as seen in the Big Bang Theory and as witnessed in Genesis.
The art projects we do will be based on an examination of both chaos and creation.
The art of the new and scientific breakthroughs have walked together hand in hand now
for the last 150 years or more. We are simply continuing in that tradition by exploring the
overlap between art, science, and the Bible. The only thing that is required of you is that
you bring to class your best effort and an open mind.
HIST105 – Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Oh My! Jewish Denominationalism in
America
Daniel Parmer
This course will explore the beginnings and historical trajectories of the major Jewish
denominations in America. The U.S. is host to the greatest variety of expressions of
Jewishness. The class will explore how each major denomination has developed, their
relationship to the broader Jewish community, and the major historical events that have
shaped and defined the movements. We will discuss what it means to belong to a
particular denomination versus the Jewish people. Finally, the class will take a field trip to
look at examples of how these denominations are represented in our own community.
PHIL154 - What is God?
Rabbi David Lerner
Combining the classical and the personal, we will examine theological statements of
modern Jewish thinkers and explore ideas about God, Revelation and the Torah. Through
this process, we will formulate our own personal theologies. One goal of this class is to
expose you to thinking about God in your life—from experiential perspectives
(moments where you have encountered or felt the presence of God) to intellectual
perspectives, including our traditional sources. The second goal is to expose you to the
various movements within Judaism, to explore their histories and their unique attributes.
We will cover topics such as belief in God, descriptions of God, metaphors for God, God
language, gendered God language versus un-gendered God language and what all of
these different metaphors say about ourselves. We will also discuss the important issue of
theodicy, the problem of why a good God allows bad things to happen to good people.
Last, we will consider the issue of God in our Torah and halakhah, Jewish Law. We will
hear from Reform and Orthodox rabbis, as well.
This course is required for 10th and 11th grade students who are members of Temple
Emunah
SOSTD193: The Way to Self-Discipline and Leadership Based on Bible Heroes and
Israeli Self-Defense
Yigal Peeri
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"Whosoever knows how to fight well is not angry. Whosoever knows how to conquer enemies
does not fight them." These words were said 2600 years ago by Lao Tzu yet were acted upon
3000 years ago by Avraham Avinu. In this course we will combine the knowledge of Biblical
leaders and their leadership style with Israeli and Eastern Martial arts philosophies. Through
concepts of Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, Thai Chi and Krav Maga we will learn how to: think
positively, control our mental strength, embrace change and understand the way of the warrior
through practical exercises.
Period 2 (7:05 – 7:45 p.m.)
BIBLE226 - Judgment Day
Max Werber
With the help of film, music, art, and myth we will discover the personalities and the story
lines of the Book of Judges that make this book a thriller. Using art, music, myth, and film
we will get to know the celebrated personalities before they became bigger than life stars:
like Samson--that Greek god of a man, and Delilah—that raven-haired beauty. Then we
will study the story lines to see if this really is a book of the Bible, or maybe it’s a murder
mystery! You will find out about spies, assassins, secret agents, surprise attacks, and
more--much more! In the Book of Judges, where there is no guts, there is no glory. There
is no homework for this class and no final project is required. All that I ask is that you
bring to class an open mind and a willingness to learn.
HIST184 – The Jewish-American Experience through the Graphic Novel
David List
There are many ways in which we can discover and learn about our history. Together we
will read through graphic novels such as: Maus, Jew Gangster, Waltz with Bashir and The
Contract with God to gain entry into the minds of great writers to see how they tell the tale
of the Jewish-American experience. We will explore the history of the Jewish Graphic
Novel and discover how and why many Jewish writers chose to explore the Jewish world
through this medium. Graphic Novels are a quick and fun read. It is the expectation that
those who take this class read assignments outside of class and be prepared to discuss
them on Sunday.
SOSTD191 – A Coat of Many Colors: Diversity among the Jewish People
Daniel Parmer
When we look at the people we daven with, or camp with, or attend Hebrew school with
we probably mainly see white. But Jews come in all colors. The class focuses on the
diversity in the American Jewish community as we explore the historical development of
Jews from different origins. The class will discuss issues of conversion, exclusion, and
pluralism within the Jewish community. We will also explore other forms of diversity such
as ability, gender, and sexual orientation. We will use film and (hopefully!) guest speakers
to learn about the experience of Jews in our communities.
ISRST – Israel, an Incredibly Tiny Place with an Amazing Uniqueness
Yigal Pe’eri
In this course we will find out that Israel is so unique, not just for being the Land of Bible,
or the one and only home of the Jewish people, but we will also study how unique and
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amazing Israel is in: Earth Sciences – Geology (The rift and lowest place on earth),
geomorphology (short distances between forest and desert,) Oceanography (different
seas and habitat) and climate. Natural sciences and the environment - flora and fauna in
Israel, Israel's environment… The most intriguing uniqueness lies in Israel’s Social
sciences - archeology, history, religion and society and …The Israeli Sense of Humor as
influenced by these environments. Every week we will cover a different aspect of these
uniqueness and relevant Israeli Humor
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FACULTY BIOS
Jacqui Adler began teaching at Prozdor in January 2005. Since 1986, she has worked in Los
Angeles at various production companies, developing and producing a variety of television movies
and specials, including the Golden Globe and Christopher Award winning film, One Against the
Wind, starring Judy Davis and Kate Beckinsale, as well as Dalva, which was based on Jim
Harrison’s book of the same name, and starred Farrah Fawcett. Jacqui recently taught an eightweek film and television workshop for College on the Lot, a program instituted and designed in
conjunction with the New England Institute of Art and Plymouth Rock Studios in Plymouth. A
graduate of Prozdor and Emerson College, she brings with her a wealth of “Hollywood” knowledge
and experience.
Mira Angrist the coordinator of Hebrew program at Makor and Prozdor has an extensive
experience teaching Hebrew, mentoring Hebrew teachers and providing professional development
workshops for Hebrew teachers. In addition to her work at Makor and Prozdor, she is a Hebrew
instructor and the head of the Hebrew program at Boston University. Mira has presented in national
conferences and has been involved in developing Hebrew curriculum both for Jewish day schools
and supplementary settings. Mira enjoys traveling and the art of mosaics.
Tzilla Barone, coordinator of Israel programs for Prozdor, as well as the director of Hebrew
College’s Ulpan, was born and educated in Israel. Since Tzilla’s arrival in the United States, she
has taught at various Jewish schools around the country, as well as at several universities. In the
Boston area, she has taught Hebrew at Brandeis University and, for the past 16 years, has taught
at Clark University, as well as at Hebrew College. Tzilla resides with her family in Sharon and works
as a volunteer in the Technion Alumni Association, the Boston-Haifa Connection, Temple Israel in
Sharon and more.
Jennie Berger recently graduated from Brandeis University with a Bachelors Degree in Near
Eastern and Judaic Studies, Hebrew Language and Literature and Education Studies. She is
currently studying in the DeLeT program at Brandeis University towards a Masters in Teaching
Hebrew and Judaic Studies at Jewish Day School. Jennie is excited to begin her second year
teaching Israeli dance at Prozdor. As someone who participated in Israeli dance throughout middle
school, high school and college, she cannot wait to share her passion for Israeli dance with her
students.
Josh Bob is the CEO of TurnStar, a company that helps people interact with their favorite
restaurants. In addition to serving as Senior USY advisor at Temple Emanuel in Newton for 5 years,
Josh has made a name for himself in the Boston business community as a go-to guy in business
development, marketing, and networking. Combining his love of sports with his business acumen,
he served as the Director of Operations for the 2004 JCC Maccabi Games. Josh has an MBA from
Babson College and a BS from Brandeis University.
Dan Brosgol is the Director of Prozdor. He holds a BA in Politics from Brandeis University and both
a certificate in Jewish Day School Education and an MA in Jewish Education from Hebrew College.
Dan is pursuing a doctorate in the Northeastern/Hebrew College collaborative EdD program. He is
an avid runner and Boston sports fan, and lives in Bedford with his wife, Elizabeth, two sons, James
and Oren, and daughter, Asalie.
Rachel Dayanim is Prozdor’s Special Needs Coordinator. She holds a master’s degree in special
education from Columbia Teacher’s College and a BA in elementary and early childhood education
from Yeshiva University. She has worked as an early childhood and elementary school teacher, as
well as a resource room teacher at a Jewish day school. She currently lives in Newton with her
husband and three daughters.
Emilia Diamant, MSW, is the Director of Programming and Initiatives at Prozdor. She graduated
from Newton North High School in 2003, and studied Informal Education at New York University.
She has been living in North Carolina for the past four years, working as Principal and Youth
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Director at Temple Beth Or in Raleigh. She and her dog Mabel live in Jamaica Plain, where Emilia
likes to dance, go to Red Sox games, and explore the city.
Glenn Dickson, bandleader and clarinetist of the traditional klezmer band Shirim Klezmer
Orchestra and the avant-klezmer band Naftule’s Dream, has recorded 11 CDs with his bands,
including a collaboration with Maurice Sendak, “Pincus and the Pig” and the “Klezmer Nutcracker.”
He has toured Europe and North America playing everywhere from bars and bowling alleys to the
Berlin Jazz Festival and with the Philly Pops. His websites are www.shirim.com and
www.naftulesdream.com.
Rabbi David Ehrenkranz (“Rabbi E”) will be starting his sixteenth year at Prozdor. He received his
rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University in 1993 and a master’s degree in English literature
(Renaissance) from City University of New York Graduate Center in 1996. Rabbi Ehrenkranz is in
the Who’s Who of American High School Teachers (1998–1999). Orthodox rabbinical advisor at
Brandeis University from 1998 to 2000, Limudei Kodesh faculty at Maimonides High School (since
1996) in Brookline and participant in the innovative teacher training/mentor program under the
auspices of the Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik Institute, Rabbi Ehrenkranz also taught for the
Ma’ayan Women’s Institute and was an active participant in Unity Shabbaton for the Rabbinical
Council of America. Last year, Rabbi Ehrenkranz received the BJE Keter Torah Award for his
contribution to Jewish education in the Boston area.
Norman Finkelstein enters his thirty second year of teaching at Prozdor, where he was a
student over fifty years ago. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from both Hebrew
College and Boston University and recently retired as a librarian in the Brookline Public Schools.
Mr. Finkelstein is the author of 18 nonfiction books on history and biography, several of which are
used in the history courses he teaches at Prozdor. He is the recipient of a number of prestigious
writing and teaching awards, including two National Jewish Book Awards, the Golden Kite Honor
Award for Nonfiction and Hebrew College’s Louis Hillson Memorial Award.
Jason Gaines has taught Tanakh and mythology at Prozdor for four years. He has served on the
faculty of the Rabbinical School at Hebrew College, and has lectured at Brandeis University —
where he is a Mellon Fellow and PhD candidate studying Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East.
Beyond teaching, Jason works as Adult Learning Events Coordinator at the Combined Jewish
Philanthropies. He received a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA from Brandeis, also
studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Emily Kalina is print and surface artist living in Boston, Massachusetts. She derives inspiration for
her print designs and paintings from the natural world, and in particular the botanical. Kalina earned
her degree in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), in 2003, and has been
selling and exhibiting her paintings in galleries in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and California in her
signature style of layered, textured, patterned watercolors. She spent 2008 in Florence, Italy
absorbing the art and culture and deepening the range and complexities of her own work in the
midst of Italy’s living history of master artisans. Her newest work reflects the rich texture of Italian
light and incorporates the textures of the buildings, the materials and aesthetics of the Tuscan
region, and the land itself. Presently Kalina paints, designs for a variety of surfaces, and teaches.
Esther Kosofsky has been a member of the Prozdor faculty for eight years. She has decades of
experience in Jewish education as a teacher, family educator, improvisation-theater director and
assistant principal. Drama and musical theater have been a big part of her life (since first grade!)
and she enjoys sharing the process of creating dramatic work with theatrical folks of all ages.
Besides teaching at Prozdor, Esther facilitates programs and workshop for Reform Jewish
Outreach Boston, coordinates TILLI-Temple Israel Lifelong Learning Initiative in Boston and directs
children’s musicals in Nashua, NH. Esther lives in Amherst, New Hampshire and her family has a
collection of over 60 hanukiyot.
Joshua Krug, a current grad student studying Religion, Ethics, and Politics at Harvard Divinity
School, comes to us from Los Angeles via New Haven and Jerusalem. While in New Haven,
Joshua studied History and Philosophy, as well as Hebrew and Arabic, at Yale. In his time spent in
Jerusalem, he worked with gap-year program KIVUNIM: New Directions, helped teach “World
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Civilizations through the Jewish Lens” to students, and accompanied them on international
educational trips to such places as Morocco, Turkey, and India. Joshua is very excited to work with
Prozdor students to help them ask and begin to answer big life questions.
Josh Langer, is a graduate of the first cohort of BBYO’s Professional Development Institute, a
special program supported by the Jim Joseph Foundation in which he earned his graduate degrees
(MBA from Kelley School of Business at Indiana University; Masters in Jewish Education from
Hebrew College) while working for BBYO and receiving mentoring from leading Jewish
professionals. During his time at BBYO, Josh worked as part of the Program Team at BBYO’s
International Headquarters in Washington, DC. He has also worked as the Director of Youth
Education at Congregation Mishkan Tefila in Chestnut Hill. His work has focused on strategic
planning, teaching, school leadership and administration, Jewish teen market research, curriculum
development, program consultation, and professional development. Josh lives with his wife, Esther,
in Cambridge, MA.
Pnina Laster was born and raised in Israel, she has been teaching Hebrew as a second language
for many years in various academic institutes in Israel and abroad, such as the Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, The Open University Institute in Jerusalem, the University of Grenoble in France, and
Brown University in RI. She has experience teaching all levels of Hebrew. Her degrees in Hebrew
Linguistics and Musicology are both from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Integrated with her
extensive background in music and the arts, Pnina enriches the language studies of her students in
all levels through exposure to Israeli music, poetry, and film.
Andrea Lesser-Gonzalez has been in the field of special education for over 20 years. Primarily,
she has worked with young children with autism/PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorders). Her
experience ranges from classroom teacher to educational consultant and teacher trainer. Nine
years ago, she decided to open a family childcare business, which allows her to be home with her
daughter, as well as continue to do what she loves: working with young children. Her
undergraduate coursework centered on both general education and teaching children with special
needs. She has a master’s degree in education and is a certified teacher of young children with
special needs in Massachusetts. While she has primarily worked with children who fall within the
spectrum of autism disorders, she has a wide range of experience over her years in the workforce.
Andrea volunteered once a month at Gateways for four years and then became an official member
of the Prozdor team six years ago. She looks forward to continuing to work with the terrific
volunteers from Prozdor in the upcoming year.
David List is beginning his fourth year at Prozdor and second as our Associate Director. He is a
graduate of Hebrew College, receiving his Masters in Jewish Education and Certificate in Jewish
Informal Education, Youth Leadership, and Camping. David also holds a degree in Judaic Studies
from the Greenberg Center at the University of Hartford. Prior to coming to Prozdor, David worked
as a youth director at Congregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley. David has also worked
with and consulted for numerous other programs and Jewish organizations in the Boston area.
David lives with his wife Chanit and son Nathaniel in Waltham.
Matthew Lowe recently completed the Master of Theological Studies program at Harvard Divinity
School, where he studied so much theology, even God said “settle down!” He also graduated in
2005 from the joint program with Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary, with a
bachelor’s degree in philosophy from each school. Matthew loves music, cartoons, hula-hooping,
poi-spinning, and is ready and willing to talk about God or the absence thereof at any hour of the
day or night.
Kevin Margolius is a Cantorial Student at Hebrew College. He attended Tufts University, where
he received a BS in quantitative economics, and was active in Hillel and Jewish a cappella. He has
appeared on two CDs, with another scheduled for release this fall. He was the student cantor at
Ahavath Torah Congregation in Stoughton, as well as at Chestnut Park, and will be the cantorial
intern at Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline beginning this fall. Kevin enjoys composing music
and playing the guitar, and is excited to bring both to Prozdor.
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Martha Martin has been the registrar at Prozdor for the past twelve years. She attended the
Katharine Gibbs School and the University of Massachusetts–Boston. She lives in Dorchester with
her husband.
David Micley is excited to keep the movement growing as he enters his second year as the
Director of Recruitment and Admissions at Prozdor. He holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in
Society and Culture from Emory University, where he produced a documentary about the daily life
of an observant Jew and an observant Muslim, entitled “Cousins of Faith.” He spends all his spare
time and money on travelling, and so far has managed to visit 28 countries, including a six month
study abroad experience in Cape Town, South Africa. David loves being part of Prozdor’s vibrant
community and is always looking to invite others into the fold through frequent “ice cream
appointments” – so if you are interested in either Prozdor or just a free ice cream, be in touch!
Lisa Micley is Prozdor’s Director of Professional Development. She is also currently North
American School Liaison for the TaL AM Hebrew and Judaic Studies curriculum, workings with
teachers and principals in schools across the country helping them to implement TaL AM
successfully in their settings. She served as Director of Education for BabagaNewz.com and the
BabagaNewz magazine. Lisa was on the faculty of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater
Boston from 1977-2005. During this time, she taught Talmud to middle school students, worked
with teachers in an educational resource library and served as the family educator of the
school. She co-directed a professional development initiative for the faculty and worked on a variety
of curricular projects. Lisa earned undergraduate degrees from Columbia University and the Jewish
Theological Seminary before coming to Boston to pursue graduate study at the Harvard Graduate
School of Education. She was a Senior Educator at the Melton Center of Hebrew University in
Jerusalem and a Jim Joseph Foundation Fellow in the Leading Educators Online program.
Andy Pankin has worked at Prozdor since 2010. He holds a BA from UMass-Amherst where he
studied Educational Psychology and Political Science with a focus on International Relations. Andy
worked with various organizations aimed at Israel advocacy and education throughout college, and
has continued this work since graduating in 2009. He has also staffed numerous teen trips to Israel.
He teaches middle school Social Studies and Math at Kehillah Schechter Academy in Norwood,
MA, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Education. Andy loves all Boston sports teams
and is a huge fan of Liverpool FC.
Daniel Parmer is a perpetual student, entering his 23rd year of school. When not doing homework,
Daniel enjoys cooking, riding his bike, camping, and watching random Youtube clips. If Daniel could
be anything he wanted, he would have a job as a procrastinator. Since people don’t get paid for
that, he instead decided he would like to be a professor. Currently, he is getting his PhD in Social
Policy at Brandeis University. Daniel is married, lives in Boston, and does his part in saving the
earth by riding his bike to school.
Rivka Pe’eri has been teaching Hebrew as a second language since 1979 to English-speaking
students at the King David High School in Liverpool, United Kingdom; the Jewish Education
Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Cohen Hillel Academy in Marblehead and the North Shore
Hebrew High School in Swampscott. Her education includes a BA in sociology and anthropology
from Tel Aviv University and in computer graphic design from Sivan College in Tel Aviv, as well as
many academic courses in teaching and education.
Yigal M. Pe’eri, born and brought up in Israel. Inspired by Frost's The Road Not Taken, he devoted
his career for both the business world and education world. On the business path, Yigal has served
as President and VP Marketing & Sales of Government, Banking, HiTech and paper companies.
On the Educational road was the Executive Director of Several Community Centers as well as the
Israeli Representative to Liverpool (UK) and Pittsburgh (PA). Yigal has taught Hebrew to young and
adults, ran workshops on strategic planning, negotiation, leadership, management the Samurai
Way, Israel, and the Israeli-Arab conflict. Yigal is also a certified and experienced instructor of
GoJuRiu Karate (2nd Dan), Judo (4th Dan) and TaiChi. Yigal loves his family, flying (single-engine),
classical music, and study of religions.
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Elyse Rast has worked as an educator in both secular and nonsecular environments for more than
15 years and is currently working on a Ph.D. at Lesley University in Education. As the Senior
Director for Holocaust Education at the Jewish Community Relations Council and the New England
Holocaust Memorial, Elyse manages all of their Holocaust and genocide programming and
education. In addition, she works closely with survivors, trains and facilitates the memorial’s
docents, and works with many community, religious and political organizations. Though the help of
CJP's Presentense fellowship, Elyse is also the founder of G.I.R.L.S. (Girls Interested in
Relationships, Leadership and Spirituality). She has taught at Prozdor for the past four years while
running G.I.R.L. groups and Rosh Hodesh groups at many area synagogues. Elyse loves the sense
of community and openness found in all of her teenage empowerment programs at Prozdor.
Adrian Sackson was born in Australia and lived in Israel for several years before coming to the
United States in 2010. In addition to teaching at Prozdor, Adrian leads international volunteer
service-learning programs for the American Jewish World Service, and is studying towards a PhD
in Jewish Thought at New York University. Before coming to Boston, Adrian lived in a village in
India for a year as a volunteer for a local human rights organization, completed an MA in Jewish
Philosophy at Tel Aviv University, and taught and studied Jewish thought at a number of interesting
institutions in Jerusalem.
Esther Shorr is a senior lecturer of Hebrew at Brandeis University, a Hebrew teacher at the School
of Languages at Middlebury College, and coauthor of the book, Brandeis Modern Hebrew, and the
online program, Hebrew in 5 Minutes. Esther holds a master’s degree in Jewish studies from
Hebrew College, a BA from Hebrew University, a high school teaching certificate from Haifa
University and a music teaching certificate from Oranim School of Music. She was a member of the
Zamir Chorale of Boston for ten years, and she loves to incorporate music into her classes. Esther
has many years of teaching and lecturing experience in Israel, England and the United States.
Rabbi Jon Spira-Savett has been the rabbi at Temple Beth Abraham in Nashua, New Hampshire,
since July 2008. Rabbi Jon has worked with Jewish teens since 1993. He’s taught off the ground on
ropes courses; he’s taught about Jewish ethics in Hebrew high programs; he’s taught about the
environment and American history in day schools; and he’s taught other high school teachers
through the Jewish Theological Seminary. Rabbi Jon has helped educators all over the country
start Jewish teen foundations, which have given away thousands of dollars to fight poverty and
improve the world. He is a Red Sox and Twins fan and is interested in Midrash, Jewish thought,
Musar and Chasidut.
Avi Strausberg is currently a rabbinical student at Hebrew College with a love of rabbinic texts.
Prior to rabbinical school, Avi did theatre in Chicago as well as studied at Yeshivat Hadar and
Pardes. Avi's favorite things to do are eating cupcakes and writing haikus.
Seth Wax (P ’98) is a native of Sharon and former president of NERUSY, Seth attended Columbia
University for his undergraduate degree and received a master’s degree from the Harvard Divinity
School, prior to his Rabbinic studies. He has studied meditation and written about spirituality, in
addition to his work at Project Zero at Harvard. Additionally, from 2004-2010 Seth was on the
faculty of Prozdor as a teacher.
Michal Weiner was born in Jerusalem, and grew up in both the US and Israel. She is new to
Boston and to Prozdor, arriving from Israel with years of educational experience in various
frameworks in Israel, including the IDF's Education Corps. This fall she will be attending Berklee
College of Music, majoring in composition. Her experiences in Jewish education range from
teaching at a school for at risk youth in the Galilee to guiding teens from the Boston area through
their five-week Israel experience. She is excited to have the opportunity to teach in the US, and is
sure that she will learn from the students and staff at least as much as she'll teach.
Max Werber earned his degree in fine arts from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design at Hebrew
University in Jerusalem. He lived in Jerusalem for ten years, where he exhibited sculptures and
paintings at the Israel Museum of Jerusalem as well as the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. During that
time, he owned and operated an art supply import business. He was also a soldier in the antiaircraft unit of the Israeli Air Force. Max returned to the United States and worked in sales and in
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management training. He and his family moved back to Maccabim, Israel, for two years, where he
became a certified Israel tour guide at Hebrew Union College. He also taught English as a second
language to both children and adults. Max, his wife Renee, and their three daughters live in Sharon.
Max enjoys biking, swimming, hiking, as well as reading and translating Hebrew biblical
commentary into English.
Rabbi Julie Zupan graduated from Tufts University with a BA in history in 1991 and received
her rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1999. She
serves as elder-care chaplain with the Jewish Chaplaincy Council of Massachusetts and as a
Jewish family educator with the JCC Early Learning Centers. She is married to Rabbi Joseph
Meszler, and they are the proud parents of Samantha and Justin. This is Rabbi Zupan’s seventh
year with Prozdor.
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