Yearly Archives: 2020


Weekly update 12-6-20


Today we began by meditating on what we would do/create if given manna today in this season when we’re bombarded with so many divisive and consumption-related messages.  It was a great way to center ourselves before we delved into the oral history and Jewish themes in Star Trek, the migration of German Jews to Louisville, […]

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Update 11-22-2020


Further exploration of our path to America, Jewish representation in the Sci Fi genre, and the value of pikuach nefesh and how it relates to self care, especially in this age of COVID.Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, delicious Thanksgiving. We’ll see you on December 6!

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HSJS News Update


What a wonderful sight to see: everyone’s eager faces on our Zoom screens as we kicked off the 2020-2021/5781 school year for our Louisville High School of Jewish Studies! We introduced ourselves, talked about Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, and then learned about the wide range of elective courses we can offer this year: Guided […]

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End of Year Update


We had one of our most engaging sessions today for our 2019-2020 wrap-up! We finally got to take our tour of Old Jewish Louisville: we delved into the history and origin of all the Jewish congregations and prominent and noteworthy Jewish Louisvillians while on our imaginary school bus— seated 6’ apart, of course. We followed […]

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HSJS Virtual Learning Update


Thinking of all of you and hoping you’re making the most of the extra time with your families as we all work to “flatten the curve.” Here are several resources that I’m passing along to all of you to help you and your families make the most of our current new normal.:https://teens.jewishboston.com/a-teen-guide-to-navigating-coronavirus/ https://jbtns.link/covid19teensupporthttps://projectherenow.wufoo.com/forms/kmhr8v40bztivf/ Scavenger Hunt sponsored by HereNow […]

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With news of school closings and city and state-wide efforts to manage the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the High School of Jewish Studies will be closing for 3 weeks. While this takes us through the end of our regularly scheduled classes, there is no decision yet regarding scheduling any make up days in April. We’ll keep […]

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HSJS Update 3-1-2020


Today we did more exploration of Jews and Science Fiction, wrapped the “stationary” classroom portion of Coming to America, got centered with a guided meditation, and delved further into our 9th and 10th grade core classes.  We’ll be taking an all school, curricular-wrap up trip when we’re together again on Sunday, March 15. Please note the […]

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Weekly update 2/23/2020


This afternoon we were privileged to see Prosecuting Evil:  The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz, part of the 22nd Annual Louisville Jewish Film Festival. Thanks to a generous grant from the Ann and Coleman Friedman Fund for Children’s Judaic Activities, the film was free for our students but the experience was priceless. The students who attended were […]

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Update 2/9/2020


Was Alexander Hamilton Jewish? If so, why would he hide his Jewish roots? Does this change our understanding of the value of Freedom of Religion proclaimed by Washington, Jefferson, and Hamilton?These are just some of the fascinating questions we explored today. Kind of makes you wish you were back in school….Our next session is Sunday, […]

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HSJS Update


We were privileged to hear and learn from Matt Goldberg, Director of the Louisville JCRC during our collective time this evening.  Matt shared about his work, especially regarding combating anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred and racism. Confirmation students learned about Israeli politics and heard from a Syrian refugee who shared her experience. That, combined […]

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