Our Tent 2023-24 Third Trimester Class Descriptions

Class Description:

20^th Century Jewish History – Part VIII: This class will deal with Jewish history, predominantly in a chronological fashion, starting with Kristalnacht. However, there will be side trips into such general issues as assimilation, antisemitism, and immigration, and whatever else strikes my fancy (or yours). 

This class is offered on Zoom or in-person, please indicate how you will be taking the class when you register. YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE TAKEN THE PREVIOUS SECTIONS TO SIGN UP FOR THIS CLASS.

Instructor: Dave Aron

David Aron, a physician and researcher, is Professor of Medicine at CWRU School of Medicine.  In addition to the medical school, he teaches at the Weatherhead School of Management.  Dave is an active member of the temple and can be found every Shabbat morning at Torah Study.

Class Description:

The Art of Music: Listen to a new music genre each week and create art inspired by what you hear using different mediums. Unleash your creativity through listening and artistic expression.

This class is offered in-person only.

Instructor: Annika Balish

Annika Balish is ST-KA's Music Director. She graduated from The College of Wooster with a degree in voice in 2022, and spent the summers of 2022 and 2023 at Camp Wise as the performing arts supervisor. She found her love of music at her own synagogue growing up, and loves to help instill that love in many others!

Class Description:

From Shire to Sinai – Exploring the Values of Middle-Earth: This class will explore the intersection of Jewish values like Loyalty (Ne'emanut), Justice (Din), and Perseverance & Grit (Netzach) with Tolkien's Middle-earth. By analyzing Gandalf's Wisdom (Hochma), Frodo’s Moral Dilemmas/Discipline & Will Power (Gevurah), and Aragorn's Leadership (Manhigut), the course will illuminate how timeless values resonate in Judaism and the epic narratives of Middle-earth!

This class is offered in-person only. 

Instructors: Noah (Nappel) Appel & Micah Nathenson

Noah Appel, or Nappel as he is known, is finishing his bachelor’s degree in social work at Cleveland State University, after beginning at Kent State University. He has spent 13 summers at Camp Wise, including this past summer as the Sports Supervisor and Jewish Life Specialist.  He will bring his knowledge of Jewish values, his leadership experience, and his love for life to any class he teaches!

Micah Nathenson is a person who reads a lot of books. He is a cool sixth grader at Woodbury Elementary School in Shaker Heights. He lives with Ollie, the cutest dog on the planet, his parents and his two older brothers.

Class Description:

Torah Tots: This program is for our youngest learners. It will be available all morning and will include childcare and age-appropriate fun Jewish learning. 

Please sign up for each session your child will be in Torah Tots. This class is offered in-person only.

Instructor: Lily Apanius

Lily Apanius is a student at Kent State University as a Neuroscience major. She has worked and volunteered at the JCC preschool for over seven years. She also has experience babysitting for families and supporting children as they grow and develop. 

Class Description:

They Blinded Me with Science – Part II: How many Jewish scientists can you name? Did you know Jews were involved in the discoveries of fission, DNA, and computer coding? Join me (a real rocket scientist) and learn about six more great Jewish minds whose works had a profound impact on our world.

This class is offered on Zoom or in-person, please indicate how you will be taking the class when you register. YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE TAKEN THE PREVIOUS SECTIONS TO SIGN UP FOR THIS CLASS.

Instructor: David Nathenson

David Nathenson’s childhood love of outer space led him to a career as a rocket scientist. He is the father of three boys and a dog.  In his spare time, he enjoys creating board games to play with his wife and sons.

Class Description:

American Jewish Tales: In her book Postwar Stories, Rachel Gordan claims that “two mid-century genres popularized the idea of Judaism as an American religion and not a race.” These were antisemitism literature and “Introduction to Judaism Literature”. We will read Gentleman’s Agreement by Laura Z Hobson, Magery Morningstar by Herman Wouk, and Goodbye Columbus by Philip Roth as examples of these genres and discuss whether they support Gordon’s argument.

BOOKS WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL WHO REGISTER. This class is offered on Zoom or in-person, please indicate how you will be taking the class when you register.

Instructor: Muriel Lederman

Muriel Lederman is retired from Biology and Women’s Studies at Virginia Tech. She is newish to Cleveland and enjoys the Art Museum, the Symphony and teaching in Health Humanities at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine.

Class Description:

You’ve Got the Beat: In this class we will discover how different melodies for prayers and making music with different instruments can change our feelings about the prayer and how the prayer makes us feel. We will be playing percussion in this class, but no musical knowledge or talent is required. 

This class is offered in-person only.

Instructor: Josh Levy

Josh Levy is a licensed social worker and longtime staff member and songleader at Camp Wise. Josh is excited to combine his passions for mental health and wellness, Judaism, and music into this class!

Class Description:

Torah Tots: This program is for our youngest learners. It will be available all morning and will include childcare and age-appropriate fun Jewish learning. 

Please sign up for each session your child will be in Torah Tots. This class is offered in-person only.

Instructor: Lily Apanius

Lily Apanius is a student at Kent State University as a Neuroscience major. She has worked and volunteered at the JCC preschool for over seven years. She also has experience babysitting for families and supporting children as they grow and develop.