Mekom Torah Teens

Next Session: January 27 at BETH ISRAEL!! 1:00-2:30, pizza from 12:30.
Mekom Torah is offering a brand new teen program this year, centered on honest and mature discussions about Judaism. This is a chance to get past the kid's version of Jewish conversation and find out what has kept people interested for 2500 years.

  • For students in grades 8 through 12. Open to all, whether or not you are a member of a synagogue.
  • Meeting 9 Sundays in 2018-2019, 1:00 - 2:30 pm.
    Oct 7, Oct 28, Nov 18, Dec 16, Jan 27, Feb 24, Mar 24, Apr 28, May 19
  • If you are a member of Beth Israel or Ohev Shalom, 2 or 3 additional meetings with your own synagogue rabbis are included. Stay tuned for those dates.
  • Pizza from 12:30 to 1:00 for those who wish. (Generously sponsored by parents.)
  • Some meetings will take place at Beth Israel, some at Ohev Shalom.
  • Rides will be coordinated by a parent committee
Here are some questions we might explore:
  • Why is there anti-semitism?
  • Do you have to "believe in God" to really be Jewish?
  • If God is all-powerful and good, why do terrible things happen?
  • How could the Bible possibly be meaningful to people who believe in science?
  • Why did God tell the humans in the Garden of Eden not to eat from the tree of knowledge?
  • Why is Israel so controversial?
  • Is homosexuality a sin in Judaism?
  • What do Jews think happens when people die?
  • What is the real difference between Christianity and Judaism?
  • Does Judaism have anything in common with Buddhism?
  • Is Judaism supposed to make people "good?" If so, how does that work?
  • What was/is the point of the Temple sacrifices?
  • What is Jewish mysticism?

​Topics of discussion will follow the interests of the participants. (At a planning salon in May, we decided on Anti-Semitism as the topic for our first meeting.)
There is no “homework” -- this is about learning, sharing, and discussion. Rabbi Helen will offer students her knowledge of the history, texts, and traditions of our people, and her love of the deep and colorful culture of the Jews. Her promise is to take all students seriously and treat them with respect and honesty.

Tuition is $250 for the year; financial aid is available to assist those in need.

Please register by August 31, 2018, using this registration form.

    Interested? Please introduce yourself: