Academics
Curriculum
Jewish Studies
Department: Jewish Studies
Milken’s Jewish Studies Program inspires learners to engage with Judaism as a living, breathing practice. Our approach connects students to a shared past and brings them more fully into their present and future. Students engage in the study of Jewish values as they explore rabbinic thinking, cultivate their Jewish identity, and apply Jewish learning to their daily lives. Through the lens of Jewish thought, students gain new perspectives on contemporary issues such as technology, ethics, and social justice.
Course Listings
List of 16 items.
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Grade 6: Innovation Nation
Students examine Israeli innovations through a wide variety of topics. The goal of this course is for students to recognize Israel’s contributions to the betterment of the world and to discover important connections between innovation and Jewish values. Through this lens of innovation and values, students explore Israel as a pluralistic, multicultural society with both assets and challenges. This is accomplished through learning about modern Israeli history including Zionism, the development and evolution of the kibbutz movement, and various stages of immigration (Aliyot). Topics covered in the course include: Israeli technology, art, food, water science, and environmental/sustainability issues. -
Grade 6: Jewish Life, Language + Practice
This course serves as an introduction to Jewish life and religious practice. Students learn fundamentals of Hebrew language, as well as Jewish ritual, holidays, rhythms, cycles, practices and core values, with an eye towards establishing basic literacy in language and religious practice. Students learn about the remarkable diversity of the Jewish people in the United States and Israel as they examine Jewish life and practice within Ashkenazi, Mizrahi, and Sephardi families and communities. -
Grade 7: Shorashim
This course explores Jewish lineage and heritage by having students engage in research of their family roots. Students present their family’s origin and Jewish journey, uncovering historical milestones, cultural connections, and Jewish values. Students identify timelines and explore the causes that led to their family’s (eventual) immigration to the United States and the values that propelled them
forward. Students strengthen their sense of Jewish identity as a result of the exploration of their family’s experiences and journeys. -
Grade 7: Jewish Text and Traditions
In this class, students will deepen their understanding of their own Jewish identity by studying biblical texts and Jewish traditions that speak to relevant questions in their lives. Students will apply the Jewish art of asking questionskushiyot- and decipher challenges in a given text in order to develop critical thinking skills and hone the ability to analyze Jewish texts, including biblical and liturgical texts. Through their text study, students will strengthen their ability to articulate and share their understandings, struggles, and beliefs through creative, real-world applications. -
Grade 8: Omanut
This course creates a workshop where students use artistic media to express their Jewish selves and how they understand the world around them through an artistic and Jewish lens. This course incorporates traditional Jewish texts and themes. -
Grade 8: Beit Midrash
In this advanced course, students tackle increasingly complex Jewish sources, ideas, and values primarily through a rabbinic lens, cultivating their Jewish identity and applying their Jewish learning to their daily lives and the life of both their Milken and larger communities. After analyzing classical Jewish texts, students add their unique voices to the eternal Jewish conversation and authentically practice its values. This program encourages students to be Jewish leaders on and off campus. They take leadership roles in planning and implementing Jewish holiday experiences for their peers as well as reaching out into our community to bring chesed and tzedek to the larger local community. Students are introduced to a variety of legal and narrative Rabbinic texts which include: the transition from Biblical to Rabbinic texts, Mishnah, Midrash, and an introduction to Talmud. -
Grade 8: Rabbinics
In this course, students engage with the study of Jewish values as they explore rabbinic thinking, cultivate their Jewish identity, and apply Jewish learning to their daily lives. As students consider how the Rabbis revolutionized Judaism, they gain insights from our traditional texts of Tanakh, Mishnah, Talmud, Commentaries, and Midrash. Students add their unique voices to the eternal Jewish conversation and authentically practice these values on our Middle School campus and beyond. Topics of study may include teshuvah (repairing relationships), tzedakah, lashon hara (ethics of speech), theology, and taking responsibility. -
Grade 9: Jewish Law (College Prep and Honors)
Judaism offers opportunities to transform abstract values into concrete actions; awaken a greater sensitivity to the world in which we live; and add holiness to the mundane. Students dive into the centuries-old conversation of Jewish practice, ethics, and values, tracing the development of Jewish law from its Biblical roots through Mishna, Gemara, Codes, until the present-day. Units explore traditional text and its application in contemporary moral and spiritual life. Topics reinforce the 9th grade theme of building community, and include: Tattoos, Teshuvah, Historical Development of Jewish Law, Parents and Children, the Value of Life, Kashrut, and Shabbat. -
Grades 9-12: Positive Psychology and Judaism
The study of human happiness has intrigued philosophers, religious leaders, and psychologists throughout history. Our Jewish texts and traditions serve as a guide to living a happy and flourishing lfe. By pairing positive psychology themes with Jewish practices and values of gratitude, tikkun olam, optimism, joy, resilience, Mussar/strengths, and simchot, you will learn how ancient Jewish practices can stimulate meaning and purpose in our modern world. Being happy is a mitzvah and we will explore how Jewish texts, holidays, and rituals contribute to the science of well-being. This fusion between Positive Psychology and Judaism will celebrate all the unique ways our tradition helps equip us with a guide to happiness. This course
is a CSU/UC approved general elective course (Area G). -
Grades 9-12: Jewish History in America
Students explore the history of Jews in America - as a people, a culture, and a religion. Through their encounters with Jewish history, students develop a lens for shaping their own identity and decision making. Students explore Jewish History in America from the 1492 to the present, examining how Jews have define themselves socially and politically in differing political, social, and economic settings; how Jewish belief and practice have been shaped and transformed; and how Jews in America have been impacted by, and contributed to, the American Experience. This course is a CSU/UC approved general elective course (Area G). -
Grades 9-12: A History of the Jewish People
Students explore the history of Jews and Judaism—as a people, a culture and a religion. Through their encounters with Jewish history, students develop a lens for shaping their own identity and decision making. Students explore Jewish life from the biblical period to the present, examining how Jews have defined themselves socially and politically in differing historical and geographical settings; how Jewish belief and practice have been shaped and transformed; and how Jews have interacted with and responded to the societies in which they have lived. This course is a CSU/UC approved history course (Area A). -
Grade 10: Biblical Literature (College Prep and Honors)
Students study Torah with a three-level approach: contextual meaning, deeper applied meaning and commentary, and personal connection. Primary questions include: How do important characters face moral dilemmas and make difficult decisions? What are our responsibilities as human beings and as Jews? Students develop text analysis skills, deepen appreciation of biblical issues and texts, explore the worldview of the Rabbis, and make personal connections to the moral lessons of the texts. Students create commentaries based on close reading of text and selected commentaries. Units include: Foundations in the Study of Torah, “Man, Tree, Woman, Snake”, Cain and Abel, Lech Lecha, Exodus from Egypt, Holiness Codes, The Story of the Scouts, Moses Strikes the Rock, Chumash Literacy, and Deuteronomy. -
Grade 10: Tiferet Israel Fellowship
While in Israel for the 2nd semester, students study Hebrew language and the place-based course History of Israel and its People. This course is a CSU/UC approved history course (Area A). -
Grade 11: Jewish Ethics (College Prep and Honors)
This course focuses on three levels of study: skills, analysis, and application. Students learn how Jewish law works, how different movements approach Jewish law, and how halakhah (law) and aggadah (lore) are related. College prep students choose between a focus on social ethics (ethical kashrut, business ethics, and the ethics of war) or bioethics (sexuality, abortion, and end-of-life issues). Honors units of study include: the ethics of social media; the art of caring criticism; justice and generosity; ethics of abortion; end-of life decisions; ethics of war. Students wrestle with contemporary issues, and articulate well- reasoned opinions grounded in interpretations of texts. The course empowers students to make thoughtful ethical and spiritual decisions from a pluralistic point of view. -
Grade 12: Jewish Thought (College Prep and Honors)
Students question, investigate, assess and internalize classic and modern texts focusing on Jewish thought, identity and peoplehood. Students develop personal philosophies of Judaism, plans for promoting Jewish continuity and lead sessions integrating textual analysis and contemporary application. This course is rooted in project-based learning including case studies, moot courts and project competitions. The course’s capstone project is the Jewish Futures Conference which challenges students to make meaningful contributions to the future of the Jewish people. Students prepare for a successful transition to college as effective leaders in their communities, knowing where they currently stand on major questions of Jewish thought and identity. -
Grade 12: Integrated High Honors Jewish Thought/AP English
Moot Beit Din Competition
Where Do Nigunim (Melodies) Come From?
Learn More
Jewish Studies Department Faculty
List of 13 members.
Beit Midrash Fellowship Signature Program
Beit Midrash Fellowship is an advanced, innovative Jewish studies program that integrates high-level text learning, social action, leadership, community-building and celebration. Beit Midrash students develop sophisticated teaching on contemporary personal and social issues, enrich the Jewish life of the larger Milken community, and work together to develop the Global Beit Midrash program, enabling Jewish teenagers from around the world to connect, collaborate, and create.
List of 4 items.
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Grade 8: Beit Midrash
In this advanced course, students tackle increasingly complex Jewish sources, ideas, and values primarily through a rabbinic lens, cultivating their Jewish identity and applying their Jewish learning to their daily lives and the life of both their Milken and larger communities. After analyzing classical Jewish texts, students add their unique voices to the eternal Jewish conversation and authentically practice its values. This program encourages students to be Jewish leaders on and off campus. They take leadership roles in planning and implementing Jewish holiday experiences for their peers as well as reaching out into our community to bring chesed and tzedek to the larger local community. Students are introduced to a variety of legal and narrative Rabbinic texts which include: the transition from Biblical to Rabbinic texts, Mishnah, Midrash, and an introduction to Talmud. -
Grade 9: Honors Advanced Biblical Lit I
Students study Chumash and its traditional commentators (primarily Rashi, and Medieval commentators), in a methodical, rigorous, and personally meaningful way. Students explore narratives from Genesis about human nature, sin, repentance, the divine-human relationship, Covenant, the beginnings of peoplehood and family dynamics. They continue with a study of early Exodus texts, exploring the persecution and enslavement of the Israelites, rebellion against injustices, and Moshe’s leadership model. They study the original Hebrew text of both Torah and commentators. Emphasis is on developing skills in text analysis through translating and analyzing, deepening appreciation of the issues and language of Biblical text and exploring the worldview of multiple medieval and modern scholars. Students regularly investigate various art and media forms (poetry, music, visual art, film, theater and literature) as an aide to deepening their understanding of the traditional text. They also research and create personal interpretations and applications of the Torah texts. Co-requisite: Honors Adv Rabbinics I and Hebrew 2 or above. -
Grade 9: Honors Advanced Rabbinics I
Students are immersed in the world of traditional Talmud study, developing skills including: use of dictionaries and reference works, word roots, Aramaic grammar, technical terminology, facility in Rashi’s commentary, and ability to analyze, outline, and map a Talmudic sugya. Students gain insight into the rabbinic mind and thought process, uncover the relevance of Talmudic debates for contemporary issues, and sharpen critical thinking skills. Topics reinforce the 9th grade theme of building ethical community, and include: Culture of Dispute, Caring Criticism, Building a Just Community, Responsibility to Self vs. Others, and Property Disputes. Co-requisite: Honors Adv Biblical Lit I and Hebrew 2 or above. -
Grade 10: Honors Advanced Rabbinics II
Students continue their study of the Babylonian Talmud, exploring how we form successful communities. Students read, translate, analyze, and reflect on the original Hebrew/Aramaic of the Talmudic text. Students develop an understanding of Aggadah (Rabbinic ethics and theology), and Halacha (Rabbinic legal reasoning and decision- making). Units include: hurtful speech in social media; treatment of those who violate community norms; the stubborn and rebellious child; compensation to those we injure; who is a member of our Jewish communities; and the advantages of living inside and outside of the Land of Israel. Students explore the authentic Jewish community and think about the role of the Jewish homeland in that search. Co-requisite: Honors Adv Biblical Lit II and Hebrew 2 or above.
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Grade 10: Honors Advanced Biblical Lit II
This course focuses on close textual study of selected sections of Torah with commentary. The narrative theme is “Troubling Texts”. By closely reading texts, consulting traditional commentaries and interpreting meaning, students look to narratives that challenge them spiritually, morally, theologically and socially. Students explore art and media forms (poetry, music, visual art, film, theater and literature) as an aide to deepening understanding of traditional text.
Students research modern applications of the Torah texts and create their own interpretations based on close text readings. Co-requisite: Honors Adv Rabbinics II and Hebrew 2 or above. -
Grade 11: Honors Adv Jewish Ethics
This course focuses on three levels of study: skills, analysis, and application. Topics include: War and Peace, Tzedakah and Social Justice, Sexuality, Abortion, and End-of-Life Issues. Students explore how Jews have interpreted the books that make up our tradition and add our own voices and ideas to the conversation. This advanced course requires substantial student independence in translating, analyzing, and debating classical Rabbinic texts. Students pursue a variety of exercises to learn text study skills and to apply classical ideas to contemporary ethical challenges. Building on the skills acquired in the Beit Midrash program in 9th and 10th grades, students work to prepare Talmud passages separate from those making up the in-class units of study. Students pursue research on an ethical topic of their choosing. Students engage in a Jewish Law Seminar during their Spiritual Practice block where they survey multiple approaches to Rabbinic decision making and design and carry out projects on significant issues of contemporary Jewish ethics. Co-requisite: Hebrew 2 or above. -
Grade 12: Honors Adv Jewish Thought
Students explore the integrated themes of Jewish Thought and AP Literature including the topics of Human Nature and Repentance (T’shuvah), The Jewish Story or Narrative (Midrash), Covenant (Brit), Theodicy/The Nature of Evil, and Modern Covenantal Renewal (Jewish Feminism, Hasidut, Kaplan). In dialogue with these themes is a historical, aesthetic and cultural study of literature, along with additional lenses from intellectual history, general philosophy, cultural anthropology, and literary theory. The second semester focuses on close reading of Buber and Rosenzweig and is framed by the challenges of Emancipation and Modernity, the relationship between identity, freedom, and commitment, the individual and community, and the challenges of building an integrated Jewish self. Students design collaborative Jewish Futures projects and develop their own personal Jewish Philosophy Statements. The class emphasizes critical thinking, synthesis, integration, and application, as well as advanced essay writing skills. Co-requisite: AP Literature.
At Milken Community School, we think education is more than what you know. Our School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children can become and how they can help others become who they might be. Because the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the School we build today, our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us.
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