10th Grade Classes
Grade-specific required classes for first bell:
If you’re a 10th grader at Wise Temple, Valley Temple, Adath Israel, or Rockdale Temple, you’ll have classes with your own Congregational Rabbi.Students from Northern Hills and Temple Sholom—please contact Nina Loftspring for First Bell placement.
Second Bell options:
Brick by Brick - Building the Jewish stories of Lego
Dr. Caroline Winstel-McLeod
In this hands-on, creative course, students will explore iconic stories and symbols from Jewish texts and tradition by bringing them to life with LEGO. Each week, we’ll dive into a different tale — from the Garden of Eden to the Golem of Prague to the Menorah — and build unique models that celebrate our shared heritage.By the end of the course, each student will have a gallery of meaningful LEGO creations and a deeper understanding of what it means to build — and be — part of the Jewish story.
Shelanu Choir
Rabbi Kahan and Rabbi Kopnick
The choir elective is a fun, low-pressure way to explore Jewish music and sing everything from classic Hebrew tunes to modern favorites. You'll build vocal skills, confidence, and friendships while jamming together each week. No prior choir experience is required—though it can be helpful. The class may end with a performance, depending on what the students decide.
Modern Israeli Culture
Chaverim M’Israel
In this course, students will continue to explore Modern Israel with the Chaverim M’Israel. Learn about holidays as they’re celebrated in Israel, and engage with Israeli shows, modern artists, and technology. This hands-on course will be active and engaging for all. Open to all students, with enrollment priority for 9th and 10th graders.
Jewish Top 10
Rabbi Neil Hirsch
Riddle us this: What are the top 10 greatest Jewish ideas of all time? In this engaging elective, each class explores one powerful Jewish idea—something that hasn’t just shaped Jewish life, but has impacted how people think about the world, God, justice, and community. Through big questions and lively discussion, students will uncover how ancient wisdom still speaks to our modern lives.
Maimonides Moot Court Competition
Year long competitive debate class
Lowell Lustig
Embark on a rich and engaging learning journey with our local teacher, Lowell Lustig. Through this premiere program, students will grapple with contemporary ethics through a prism of Jewish legal tradition. The Maimonides Moot Court Competition is an international competition for high school and college students, in which participants defend ethical arguments grounded in Jewish wisdom in response to a modern ethical issue. This is a yearlong course that includes travel opportunity in the Spring to the competition on March 19-22, 2026