Tanach 11 - 1

Dr Saundra Sterling Epstein

Welcome back for the Second Semester.  We are exploring the texts of the Ketuvim together as these students complete their survey as well as closer study of Tanach texts for High School.  Next year, they will look at Parshanut and various artistic and creative aspects of the text.  We will study the books of Tehillim, Esther, Shir HaShirim, Mishlei and Kohelet in this course. 

We have already begun to look in earnest at the texts of Tehillim, especially as they appear in our Siddurim and have already presented our first group reports.  We will be wrapping up this unit this coming week and students will complete a personal analysis of their chosen Tehillah (not one we have looked at as a group) within the next two weeks -- due on February 14, 2008, with the option of submitting it after the long weekend.

Also, as part of this semester's Jewish Studies program on Jewish Ethics, all Eleventh Grade students will be introduced to a controversial group in Israel that addresses dilemmas by soldiers serving in the Israeli army.  Dialoguing and questioning techniques for addressing controversial presentations will be taught as part of preparation for this program.  This is part of a Responsible Sharing-Compassionate Listening program that appears in many venues throughout the United States.

Today is Wednesday, February 6, 2008

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March 17, 2008: Students are working on their papers on Megilat Esther which are due on March 31, 2008.  We are continuing to learn the Megilah as well as using the Mavoh from the Rav Kook Tanach at this point as additional contextual information.

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