 |
 |
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
At Beth Shir Sholom, students are encouraged to continue their Jewish education beyond the B'ney Mitzvah process. Confirmation typically occurs during a student's 10th grade level of High School. Confirmation class meets one evening a week during the regular school year and consists of discussions and activities with the rabbi covering Jewish issues, civics and values. Topics are selected and researched based on the group's discussions and visits to local groups and religious organizations related to the particular issue. This year, the confirmation class is focusing on legal issues for teens: Specifically, the Jewish court of law versus the American court of law. The highlight of the term year is a trip in the Spring to Washington D.C. sponsored by PANIM, the Washington Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values. Students select particular concerns that might be before Congress and then get to advocate their point of view with a legislator/s. The program is called Panim el Panim. It is Hebrew for "face to face" and means "High School in Washington." The program consists of diverse groups of 10th-12th grade students from around the country who explore public policy and social activism through a Jewish lens. Participants learn about public policy and political activism by interacting with experts on a wide range of topical issues that may include capital punishment, civil liberties, abortion, bio-ethics, gun control, and peace and war. Panim el Panim also provides a series of four-day leadership seminars in Washington D.C. that integrate the study of contemporary issues and training in political activism with Jewish values. The seminars include interactive sessions in which students relate Jewish texts and values to the world around them. Students also receive political and issue advocacy training with an emphasis on Israel and the Mideast conflict. Click here for an interactive registration form you can fill in and send online! The Beth Shir Sholom class then completes the year with a student/parent dinner at a local restaurant followed by a special Confirmation Service at the temple on a Sunday in June.
|
|
