Baltimore Education Initiative for Teens of Reform Judiasm
Curriculum

BEIT RJ Curriculum 2010-2011

Each BEIT-RJ student will take elective classes and core classes during the school year. 11th and 12th grade students will have the option to take a 3 credit-bearing course during the year instead of elective and core classes.

A BEIT RJ student will:
  1. Have a general knowledge of the great books of Judaism
  2. Know how to find answers to their questions and have the enthusiasm and interest to do so
  3. Feel empowered to continue Jewish studies and participate in Jewish life post high school
  4. Have a general knowledge of Comparative Judaism and Comparative Religion
  5. Have an understanding of, an appreciation for, and a commitment to the State of Israel
  6. Recognize the importance of a communal Jewish experience
  7. Want Judaism to inform their decision-making and their life
  8. Recognize that Judaism is relevant, timeless, and dynamic
  9. Have a respect for tradition and an openness to change
8th Grade Core Curriculum- Ethics & The Great Books
1st Semester: Choice of 3 classes, Ethics through the Great Books
  1. Bio-ethics: Stem Cell to Euthanasia
  2. Blood & Lust in the Bible
  3. Environmental Ethics
2nd Semester: URJ Sacred Choices Curriculum- Examines how Judaism can help our students make informed healthy decisions regarding relationships, peer pressure, and school related issues.
9th Grade Core Curriculum- Reform Judaism, Comparative Judaism, Comparative Religion

3 Trimesters- Students will rotate through the classes throughout the year
  1. Reform Judaism
  2. Comparative Judaism
  3. Comparative Religion

10th Grade Core Curriculum- Confirmation

11th-12th Core Curriculum- Junior/Senior Track

2 Choices of Year Long Core Classes
  1. Sacred Choices High School Curriculum
  2. Building Bridges
11th-12th Core Curriculum- 3 Credit Class through Towson University

Psychology of Religion
Psychology of Religion will be a discussion based course designed to explore the intersections between psychology and religion, with an emphasis on Jewish Thought. This course approaches religion as a powerful meaning system that can affect the lives of individuals in terms of their beliefs, motivations, emotions and behaviors as they influence both personal and group interactions. This course will highlight the role of religion in a variety of important social issues such as social change, coping, forgiveness, human rights, prejudice & tolerance, as well as conflict resolution. No previous knowledge of Psychology is required!

11th-12th Grade Service Learning Track

Praying With Our Feet
When Abraham Joshua Heschel marched in Selma, Alabama, he said that he felt like his feet were praying. How do we pray through performing acts of social action? Judaism teaches that we must take action to sustain and improve our world. Through a Jewish lens, students will spend the year going to Baltimore organizations to learn, interact, and volunteer with the community. They will delve into issues including Bikkur Cholim, Gemilut Hasadim, LeDor vaDor, and Hiddur Mitzvah.

2011-2012 8-10 Electives
  • Jewish Art
  • Israeli Self Defense
  • Jews in Sports and Culture
  • Jews Around The World
  • Jews in Rock n' Roll
  • Madrichim Training Course
  • Jewish Cooking
  • Family Guy and Family Values
  • Current Issues Related to "Jew"
  • Judaism and the Law
  • Jewish Cooking
  • The Holocaust
  • Israel: Face to Face with the 2011 Shinshinim
  • Life After Death
  • Conversational Hebrew
  • Jews in the News Around the World
  • Christianity
  • BEIT-RJ Choir
  • Songleading
  • Book Club

11th-12th Grade Electives
  • Packing For College
  • Israeli Encounter with the 2011-2012 Shinshinim
  • Jewish History
Participating Congregations

Photo Gallery Photo Gallery