Prozdor Course Descriptions
Fall 2022
Questions? Please contact prozdor@hebrewcollege.edu.
First Period PTOC Courses (9:30 AM – 10:20 AM)
Class: Hebrew
Dates: October, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18
In late August, early Sept, you will be contacted by a Hebrew teacher to access your Hebrew level for classes
Second Period PTOC Courses (10:30 AM – 11:20 AM)
Class: Hebrew
Dates: October, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18
In late August, early Sept, you will be contacted by a Hebrew teacher to access your Hebrew level for classes
Class: BE HAPPIER NO MATTER WHAT:
What Judaism (and modern psychology) Says about Being Happy
Instructor: Rabbi David Ehrenkranz
Dates: October, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18
In this course we will explore and examine how various laws, rituals and customs (even in the saddest of times) in Judaism attempt to help us maintain an equilibrium of emotions, with a strong emphasis on joy and happiness. With a nod to Tal Ben-Shahar who taught positive psychology at Harvard University for a number of years, we will do our best to study different ways we can elevate our happiness in our daily lives. We will focus our attention on the 5 elements in our lives that can help us maintain an attitude of gratitude, joy and happiness, and they are known as the acrostic of SPIRE: Spiritual well-being, Physical well-being, Intellectual well-being, Relational well being, Emotional well-being.
Class: Jewish Identities on Stage: An Exploration of Solo Shows
Instructor: Bridget Connor-Feldman, Prozdor Director
Date: October, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18
The solo show (sometimes called “one man” or “one woman” show) has emerged as an important medium of theatrical performance. Solo shows can be comedic, political, experimental, and provocative. In this course, we will look at influential solo shows of the 20th and 21st century that explore Jewish history and identity. Participants will also have the opportunity to create their own short solo piece to perform at the end of the trimester. Performances will also be recorded so you can use them for future auditions and portfolios.
3rd Period PTOC Courses (11:40 AM – 12:30 PM)
Class: BECOMING A BETTER STUDENT NOW AND FOREVER: Time Management, Organization, and Structure
Instructor: Rabbi David Ehrenkranz
Dates: October, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18
In this course we will examine the modern psycho-educational research regarding how our brains work and discover ways to help refine our skills as students with the hope of developing the ultimate objective of becoming life-long learners. We will compare and contrast these strategies with the ancient wisdom of the Rabbis and see what Judaism has to offer the student who is naturally curious but needs a little help in satiating that curiosity.
Class: Jewish Mindfulness for Teens
Instructor: Bridget Connor-Feldman, Prozdor Director
Dates: October, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18
Mindfulness practices have gained popularity not only as a means of spiritual connection but also for benefits such as stress relief, enhanced academic performance, cultivation of moral qualities such as compassion for others, and improvement to mental and physical health. In this course, we will look at mindfulness through a Jewish lens, studying the history of Jewish meditative practices as well as contemporary takes on what it means to live both mindfully and Jewishly. We will study and discuss mindfulness as well as experiencing practices such as meditation, connection with the natural world, and mindful art-making.