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Judaic Studies

  • Judaic Studies 6

    Judaic Studies 6: Covenant and Community
    Grade Level: 6th
    Length of Course: 2 semesters
    Prerequisite:  None
    Course Description:
    In this class we will be taking a journey through the Torah and focus on the key foundational portions as they apply to our Jewish story. With each holiday, we will also explore its origins in the Torah’s stories.  We will be using a variety of mediums in our learning journey-- ranging from books to articles, from blogs to Power Points; from listening to, writing about and creating our own music and poetry, to producing artwork which express our own interpretation of Holidays and Biblical text.
  • Judaic Studies 7

    Judaic Studies 7: Leadership and Courage
    Grade Level: 7th
    Length of Course: 2 semesters
    Prerequisite: Completion of Judaic Studies 6
    Course Description:
    In our exploration of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings (TaNaKh), 7th grade students will focus upon the themes of leadership and courage in Ancient Israel.  Students will develop and practice skills that will aid in close reading of the biblical text.  As students become confident and capable TaNaKh readers, they will formulate our own individual interpretations and understandings of the texts under discussion. By the end of the school year, students will be knowledgeable of biblical Jewish history, Middle Eastern geography, the life of ancient Israelites, and the biblical sources related to modern Jewish holidays.
  • Judaic Studies 8

    Judaic Studies 8: Creating Community – Mishna and the American Jewish Experience
    Grade Level: 8th
    Length of Course: 2 semesters
    Prerequisite: Completion of Judaic Studies 7
    Course Description:
    The course focuses on making personal connections to the ancient text and understanding how the Mishnah, the rabbis’ method for developing communal expectations and norms, can help our students make relevant decisions in their daily lives. A variety of instructional techniques enable them to discover the layering of Jewish tradition. In addition, examples from American Jewish history are employed to bring the text of the Mishnah to life. Students engage in individual and group study to analyze the ancient texts in Hebrew and English. Finally, students learn about the Holocaust. By learning from our past, we learn how we can make the world a better place. 

Faculty

  • Photo of Ari Vernon
    Ari Vernon
    Judaic Studies Department Chair and Upper School Judaic Studies Teacher
    (832) 204-5900
    University of Judiasm - B.A.
    Jewish Theological Seminary of America - M.A. and Rabbinical Ordination
    2009
    Bio
  • Photo of Steve Daum
    Steve Daum
    Middle School Judaic Studies Teacher and 8th Grade GLC
    (832) 204-5900
    University of Texas at Austin - B.A.
    American Jewish University of Los Angeles - M.A.Ed.
    2005
    Bio
  • Photo of Jerry Kudan
    Jerry Kudan
    Middle School Judaics Teacher
    (832) 204-5900
    Hebrew Union College - Rabbinic Ordination & M.A. in Hebrew Letters
    Prescott College - M.Ed.
    Skidmore College - B.A.
    2024
    Bio
  • Photo of Laurie Rimland-Bonn
    Laurie Rimland-Bonn
    Middle School Judaic Studies Teacher
    (832) 204-5900
    2023
    Bio

The Emery/Weiner School

A private, pluralistic Jewish, college-preparatory middle and high school serving grades 6-12. 
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