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2023-24 CHALLAH Teen Classes Registration



Winter trimester starts January 11th!

Welcome to CHALLAH! CHALLAH is an ongoing, weekly series of classes for teens in grades 8 - 12, hosted by CBI and open to all. CHALLAH meets on Thursday nights from 5:30pm - 7:30pm with the exception of school breaks and some Jewish holidays. Each session includes a one-hour class, a community gathering led by Rabbi Ariella, social time, and an optional dinner.  Participants can sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 trimesters:

סְתָו  / Stahv / Fall trimester: October 12th - December 7th
אֲבִיבֵ / Aviv / Winter trimester dates: January 11th - March 7th
חורף / Choref / Spring trimester: March 28th - May 30th 
 
For families with children in grades pre-K - 7th, check out ALMA!

If you are requesting financial aid and/or wish to pay by check, please log into ShulCloud before filling out the form! If you do not have a ShulCloud account, please contact Elijah for assistance: 
Section A: Family or Caregiver Contact Information

If there is a secondary contact, all emails and mailings will go to both contacts. In case of urgent need, the primary contact will be notified first

Section B: Tuition and Student Enrollment Information
CHALLAH Tuition makes it possible for our program to sustain educators and provide materials for students. Tuition does NOT cover all of our staffing and overhead needs and is significantly subsidized by CBI.  CHALLAH tuition fees can be paid one time annually or monthly through a payment plan. Financial aid options are available!
 
CHALLAH Tuition Rates
  • Individual trimester = $340 without dinner / $420 with dinner 
  • Two trimesters = $680 without dinner / $840 with dinner 
  • Three trimesters = $1,020 without dinner / $1,260 with dinner 
Dinner
For those who wish to opt-in, we provide vegetarian dinner from local restaurants or prepped at CBI each week towards the end of each CHALLAH session (6:45pm - 7:15pm). This is open to all CHALLAH students at an additional cost of $10 per meal ($80 per trimester). 
Registration for Those Seeking Financial Assistance 

We strongly believe that finances should never be an obstacle to Jewish education.  We ask that every family commits to some financial contribution, however we are very happy to discuss financial aid options for any CBI member family that may require tuition assistance. If you select yes, you will discuss your payment ability in a confidential meeting with Rabbi Ariella Rosen. 

When the form takes you to billing, select the option "bill to account"; that will allow you to complete the form without paying. You must be logged into your ShulCloud account to do this. If you do not have a ShulCloud account, please contact Elijah for assistance: elijah@cbinorthampton.org 
Please fill out an additional form for any additional teens over 2.
Student 1 Information
Information will not be shared publicly. Parents will be copied on all communication to students.
Information will not be shared publicly. Students will not be contacted independently from parents.
Does your child have any allergies, medications, or other health conditions?
Please describe allergies, health conditions, and medications (including dosage and timing).
If yes, we will be in touch before the start of the trimester to best understand how to support you.
Student 1: Choose Your Course! 
Student 2 Information
Information will not be shared publicly. Parents will be copied on all communication to students.
Information will not be shared publicly. Students will not be contacted independently from parents.
Does your child have allergies, medications, or health conditions? 
Please describe allergies, health conditions, and medications (including dosage and timing).
If yes, we will be in touch before the start of the trimester to best understand how to support you.
Student 2: Choose Your Course!
Students are encouraged to sign up now for the entire year in order to secure their spot, though we will re-share the registration prior to each trimester.
 
סְתָו  / Stahv / Fall Courses: 

                                   


1. Befriending Our Jewish Demons

In this class we will learn about the history, customs, and ritual surrounding Jewish demons.  We will learn about ancient Jewish demons, as a way to understand our current lives and our modern demons.  We will spend part of each class creating a sacred, protective container- through craft, fire, song, and more- in which to share about our own lives, so please come to this class ready to both listen and share with each other.  

Instructor: Rose Cherneff (all pronouns) is a farmer and educator living in Western Massachusetts. For the past six years, Rose was the Farm Manager at Abundance Farm. One of their favorite parts of the job was working and learning with the Shefa teens.  

2. Hebrew
Open to all levels of Hebrew language learners, with no previous experience required. Beginning Hebrew speakers will learn foundational skills such as grammar, vocabulary and composition, while more experienced learners will deepen their knowledge and understanding of the language as they progress towards fluency. The goal is to be in community in learning Hebrew while understanding the different ways that language relates to the intersection of Jewish identities. 

Instructor: Lev Fein (they/them) comes to this role with an associate of arts degree from Rockland Community College and a bachelor of arts degree from Smith College and is currently an MSW candidate at Smith College School for Social Work. Lev identifies as Non-Binary and BIPOC, has taught Hebrew for the Jewish Community of Amherst and the synagogue Beit Ahavah in Florence, and is fluent in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Yiddish.

חורף / Choref / Winter courses:


1. Jewish Garage Band
Come and Rock out with Aram in the garage of the new building! We will learn music from shabbat services that will help you lead songs not only in our own community, but also at camp, college, and in countless other settings. You do not need to be an accomplished musician to join the band: if you took this class before, Aram will help you take your skills to the next level, and if you are brand new then we would love to have you join! If your thing is singing, we want to hear your voice! If you dance, then come and show off your moves. If you’re into banging on a drum, by all means, be our guest. By the end of the trimester, our little Jewish Tefillah Rock Orchestra will help to lead a service at CBI. We look forward to making music together!

Instructor: Aram Rubenstein-Gillis (he/him) is a song leader and music teacher who has led joyful music with schools, camps, and religious communities for over 25 years. Aram is the Director of Musical Programs for CBI Northampton and the Music Teacher at the Lander Grinspoon Academy.  

2. Hebrew
Open to all levels of Hebrew language learners, with no previous experience required. Beginning Hebrew speakers will learn foundational skills such as grammar, vocabulary and composition, while more experienced learners will deepen their knowledge and understanding of the language as they progress towards fluency. The goal is to be in community in learning Hebrew while understanding the different ways that language relates to the intersection of Jewish identities. 

Instructor: Lev Fein (they/them) comes to this role with an associate of arts degree from Rockland Community College and a bachelor of arts degree from Smith College and is currently an MSW candidate at Smith College School for Social Work. Lev identifies as Non-Binary and BIPOC, has taught Hebrew for the Jewish Community of Amherst and the synagogue Beit Ahavah in Florence, and is fluent in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Yiddish.

3. Crafting Ritual Objects
Interested in making something with your hands while spending time with peers? Need a relaxing, artistic activity in your life? Want to bring more of your personality into your practice of Judaism? In this class, we're going to learn about ritual items such as tallit (fringed prayer shawls) and havdalah candles (cool, twisty things lit at the close of shabbat) while creating our own versions of them for use in services, at home, in the woods, or wherever you make meaning. All levels of crafting and artistic experience welcome!

Instructor: Rabbi Ariella Rosen (she/her) is CBI’s Director of Youth and Family Education and Engagement, and she previously served as director and Jewish educator at Hillel at the University of Toronto, assistant rabbi at Adath Israel in Merion, PA, and rabbinical and cantorial admissions director at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in New York City. 

אֲבִיבֵ / Aviv / Spring courses: 

1. Jewish Cooking and Food Studies 
We will either be cooking indoors in the refurbished kitchen with Ozzy Gold-Shapiro, or we will be cooking outside in the fire pit with Rose: this depends on the status of our facilities. We will confirm details as the trimester approaches, but rest assured that Jewish Cooking will happen one of those two ways, so feel free to secure your spot now! Previous dishes made by students have included sauerkraut, apple charlotte, and crypto-Jewish kosher "pork chops." 

2. Hebrew
Open to all levels of Hebrew language learners, with no previous experience required. Beginning Hebrew speakers will learn foundational skills such as grammar, vocabulary and composition, while more experienced learners will deepen their knowledge and understanding of the language as they progress towards fluency.  Lev has taught Hebrew for the Jewish Community of Amherst and the synagogue Beit Ahavah in Florence and is fluent in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Yiddish. 

Instructor: Lev Fein (they/them) comes to this role with an associate of arts degree from Rockland Community College and a bachelor of arts degree from Smith College and is currently an MSW candidate at Smith College School for Social Work.  Lev identifies as Non-Binary and BIPOC, has taught Hebrew for the Jewish Community of Amherst and the synagogue Beit Ahavah in Florence, and is fluent in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Yiddish.
Section C: Release Forms

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Section D: Additional Information
Section E: Membership

While CBI family membership is not required to enroll in CHALLAH, we encourage it!  We are trying to build a meaningful and authentic community within CHALLAH. We also aim to encourage the development of strong bridges between our CHALLAH families and the broader community at CBI and Abundance Farm. In a world where so many people feel isolated and long for deep connection, we offer a unique, inclusive, multi-generational community that offers a wide range of services, programs and opportunities for connection.

If you are interested in learning more about CBI membership, we would love to talk with you! If you click the box below, someone will be in touch with you shortly.
Section F: Payment Information

Your CHALLAH tuition total is below. If you requested financial aid, we will be in touch with you and your total will be adjusted after you speak to Rabbi Ariella Rosen.

If you wish to pay with check or requested financial aid, please select "bill to account" on the next page. That will allow you to complete the form without payment. Rabbi Ariella Rosen will follow up with you to discuss your household's payment plan.

Wed, December 6 2023 23 Kislev 5784