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A Taste of Judaism for Teens

I invite you to expand your worldview by learning about the religion and culture of the Jewish faith not only through classroom learning, but through the food and music associated with Shabbat, Rosh Hashana, Hanukkah, and Passover!
Hub of Curiosity
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(710)
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What's included

4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11
This is a FLEX class and does not meet live!!  
Why is a flex format positively awesome for classes in the kitchen?  
#1  For best results, learners truly need to work with ingredients in an ideal state.  In live classes a lot of time is spent “keeping the group together.”  Oftentimes this means learners are working with oil that isn’t quite hot enough or caramel that has gotten cold and goopy because they’re forced to work at a general pace.  
#2  Creative minds typically don’t like to be rushed.  I doubt Van Gogh ever said, “I’ve got 55 minutes.  Let’s knock out some sunflowers!”  I can see precision, detail, and creativity in the work my learners complete because they have the time to really immerse themselves and work at a pace that is comfortable for them. 
#3  The ability to pause and rewind is like being the gift of time travel!  Class participants can manage the pace of the class themselves and customize it 100% to their learning style. 
#4  As a working mom of three homeschooled kids, I completely understand how busy life can be sometimes.  This class is available whenever you are!  Rainy day and soccer is cancelled?  Make your cake!  School holiday?  Make your cake!  Flexibility is a gift in our busy lives!  

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So much can be learned about religions and cultures through their food.  Food is a universal medium that draws people together across the world.  This is a flex class and does not meet live.  Each week learners will be provided with two types of content.  First, we will explore the history, traditions, and culture associated with Shabbat, Passover, Rosh Hashana, and Hanukkah.  

This class consists of three main components:
1.	Learning the holiday:  Each week learners will receive a video presentation that thoroughly explains the holiday or celebration we are focusing on that week.  The video is a pre-recorded lesson by me and will include slides, video clips, and traditional music.  After completing the video lesson, learners will be well-versed in the origin of the topic, key words/phrases, symbols of that event, greetings associated with that observance, and more. 
2.	Noshing (that’s a fun Jewish term for “eating”) on Authentic Eats:  Following the lesson, learners will have a series of videos that guide them through the edible portion of our learning.  We will make matzo ball soup, chocolate covered matzo, honey cake, and latkes.  One recipe in each of the four weeks of class.  These videos are full demonstration videos from my kitchen to yours and contain all the steps necessary for learners to create these amazing dishes too!  A complete supply/ingredient list is attached to the welcome post in the classroom for easy preparation. 
3.	Classroom Interaction:  Our classroom offers plenty of opportunity for interaction.  Each week students will be asked to share their feedback on the food they’ve made as well as a photo.  We’ll also have a key discussion topic/question each week regarding the holiday or observance we are focusing on.  

The smell of matzo balls and the crunch of latkes will make for an amazing learning experience.  All the while we will share our experiences and grow together in our virtual classroom.  I am available daily for support, questions, and mutual celebration.  

Students will learn the traditions of the Jewish religion from a historical and secular perspective.
Learning Goals
The main goal of this class is to broaden horizons.  Learning about world religions is a great way to build bridges among various cultures and geographic areas.
learning goal

Syllabus

4 Lessons
over 4 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Shabbat
 This week we'll be learning about the observance, origin, and rituals of Shabbat.  We'll also be making a delicious pot of matzo ball soup! 
Lesson 2:
Passover
 This week we'll be learning about the observance, origin, and rituals of Passover.  We'll also be making a delicious batch of chocolate-covered matzo! 
Lesson 3:
Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur
 This week we'll be learning about the observance, origin, and rituals of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.  We'll also be making a delicious honey cake! 
Lesson 4:
Hanukkah
 This week we'll be learning about the observance, origin, and rituals of Hanukkah.  We'll also be making delicious latkes! 

Other Details

Parental Guidance
We will be using sharp knives and cooking on the stove top. I trust your level of supervision based upon the learner's comfort level and skill.
Supply List
A detailed supply list will be available in the classroom immediately upon enrollment.  Supplies should be common, easy to locate, and inexpensive.  Expect to spend approximately $10-15 on ingredients each week.  

A general description of supplies includes:
Week One:  Matzo ball mix, onion, carrots, and dill
Week Two:  Matzo, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, chocolate chips
Week Three:  All-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves, ground allspice, vegetable oil, honey, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, coffee, orange juice
Week Four:  Russet potatoes, yellow onion, dill, all-purpose flour, egg, vegetable oil, applesauce and/or sour cream
 1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2018
5.0
710reviews
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Judith Smetana
Ohio Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Judith Smetana
California Teaching Certificate
Maura Knowles
Texas Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Andrea Phillips
Colorado Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Melissa Riggs
Kentucky Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Melissa Riggs
Texas Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Melissa Riggs
Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Idaho
Giselle S. Veach
Master's Degree in Education from University of North Texas
Melissa Riggs
Bachelor's Degree in International Business from The Ohio State University
Judith Smetana
Bachelor's Degree in Communications from San Francisco State Universtiy
Maura Knowles
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Idaho
Giselle S. Veach
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Idaho
Giselle S. Veach
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management from Nova Southeastern University
Meagan Tauber
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of North Texas
Melissa Riggs
Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design from Arizona State University
McKenzi Aguirre
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from University of Alabama at Birmingham
Tiffany Barnes
Associate's Degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University
Judith Smetana
This is a class that is close to my heart.  We move fairly often for my husband's job and one of our stops placed us in an area with a very small Jewish community.  In a local Facebook group someone once posted, "Geez, why are our kids off school on Thursday?  What crazy holiday are they pulling on us now?"  That holiday happened to be Yom Kippur - the holiest day of the Jewish year.  
That post gave me a light bulb moment that I was in a position to teach learners who may not be very familiar with Judaism some of the significant religious and cultural aspects.  
This class does not proselytize in any way. Instead, I will invite your learner into our home and customs as if they were an honored guest at our Shabbat dinner or a seder.  I hope you'll join me.  
Shalom.  

Watch Meagan's intro video here:  https://youtu.be/s_P4jmzt7Sg

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Self-Paced Class
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$12

weekly or $48 for all content
4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content

Completed by 14 learners
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Ages: 13-18

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