November Hebrew High Happenings

November is a busy month for students, faculty and parents of Hebrew High Students.  The Colorado Agency for Jewish Education’s Community High School of Jewish Studies provides formal classes and informal opportunities for Jewish high school students to stay connected to their heritage and socialize with other Jewish teens from all over the metro area.  This year over 340 8^th –12^th graders meet on Monday evenings at Cherry Creek High School. Over 90 teenagers are enrolled for Wednesday evening classes at the Boulder Hebrew High which meets at the Boulder JCC.

Pizza Night

On Monday, November 13, the ninth grade class at the Denver campus is invited to enjoy kosher pizza, pop and a video before class.  The 6pm dinner is only one of many opportunities for the class to get to know each other.  Information:  Steve Glickman, 303-321-3191 x 15.

Parent Forum

Throughout the year CAJE will provide opportunities for parents to gather to discuss the challenges of the teen year. On November 13 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., parents of all Hebrew High Students as well as parents of teens throughout the community are invited to meet and discuss the issue of interdating.  This joint program sponsored by CAJE and the Denver Institute for Jewish Studies (DIJS) will take place at Cherry Creek High School and will be facilitated by Phyllis Adler, the Administrator for Stepping Stones for a Jewish Me, a program for unaffiliated and interfaith children and their families.  Ms. Adler is also the Outreach Director for Congregation Emanuel.  She is also a parent of a teen at Hebrew  High.  Ms. Adler hopes to “create a forum for discussion and interaction among parents about interdating.”  Information: Betsy Epel (DIJS) 303-394-9141 or Steve Glickman (CAJE) 303-321-3191 x 15.

Parent Meeting for IST

Israel Study Tour (IST), CAJE’s premier teen trip to Israel for high school juniors will host the first of a series of parent meetings.  The first meeting for Denver area parents is scheduled for Thursday, November 16, 7pm at Congregation Rodef Shalom. Boulder area parents will meet at 7pm on Wednesday, November 15 at the Boulder JCC.  Parents will have the opportunity to pick up an application packet and learn about the plans for the 6-week summer trip to Israel and the optional extension to Poland.  Students who plan to apply for the trip should already be registered for classes at either Denver or Boulder Hebrew High campus.  Risa Buckstein, Associate director at CAJE, welcomes inquiries about the limited spaces that are still available.  “This amazing trip changes the lives of teenagers.  Thousands of Colorado students have returned from IST committed to the Jewish community, continuing their Jewish education and the friendships they made with other Colorado and Israeli teenagers.” The teens spend the academic year learning about the culture, language and land of Israel.  Throughout the year, several team-building activities are scheduled to strengthen leadership skills and to provide opportunities for the teens to get to know each other.  The first of those activities is scheduled for Sunday, November 19.  Information:  Risa Buckstein, CAJE, 303-321-3191 x 14