Our Tent 2025-26 First Trimester Class Descriptions

Class Description:

20^th Century Jewish History – Part XI: This class will deal with American Jewish history, predominantly in a chronological fashion, starting in 1942 at the US and England aware of what was happening in Eastern Europe. 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 Corners of Your Field: Judaism and Poverty: Judaism has always had an emphasis on alleviating poverty and caring for the poor.  This class will explore how Judaism has approached poverty and those who are poor in the Hebrew bible, Talmud and early rabbinical writings.  We will then explore how the United States has approached poverty throughout its history, and contrast it with the teachings, practices and the ways Judaism has approached poverty in the United States in the past and currently.

This class is offered on Zoom or in-person, please indicate how you will be taking the class when you register.

Instructors: Larry Bresler

Larry Bresler is a social worker who has been addressing issues of poverty for over 50 years.  They have ranged from being the director of an interfaith agency  providing human services and advocacy to those who are poor, to directing a national organization addressing issues of poverty, to organizing the  March to End Poverty at the 2016 Republican Convention.  He also created and taught  courses on child poverty and poverty strategies for social workers at Case Western Reserve University.

Class Description:

The New Hope: Finding the Jewish Values in Star Wars: In this exciting and meaningful class, we’ll fly into a Galaxy far, far away and discover how hope can still exist even in the darkest of times. Through the lens of Jewish values and teachings, we’ll discover how our actions and traditions guide us to be agents of hope and justice in the world. We'll reflect on the moral choices characters make and explore what Judaism teaches us about standing up for what’s right—even when the odds are against us.

This class is offered in-person only. 

Instructors: Noah (Nappel) Appel

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 14 summers at Camp Wise, including this past summer as the  Jewish Life Supervisor. He will bring his knowledge of Jewish values, his leadership experience, and his love for life to any class he teaches!

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: TBD

Class Description:

Mitsui Movement: Intro to Jewish Embodiment: Mitsui Movement is a holistic wellness experience integrating Jewish wisdom with diverse practices including dance, athletics, martial arts, strength training, acrobatics, and breathwork. Our Tent sessions will incorporate an all-levels friendly blend of our two core classes: Nashuv — Restorative Embodied Practice: gentle, meditative movement focusing on flow, balance, integration, and renewal; and Nimratz — Invigorating Embodied Practice: active movement focusing on strength, mobility, locomotion, coordination, speed, and power.

This class is offered  in-person only.

Instructor: Yoshi Silverstein

Yoshi Silverstein is founder and executive director at Mitsui Collective, lead Studio Mitsui teacher, and the creator of Mitsui Method, with over 25 years of experience as a Jewish educator, facilitator, and creative practitioner. A student of the human body and spirit, he has studied movement and somatics with a wide range of teachers and disciplines, holds a 2nd degree blackbelt in Lotus Kajukenbo, and is a student of Chinese martial arts. He is a recipient of the 2022 Pomegranate Prize from the Covenant Foundation, and was selected as a 2021 “Grist 50 Fixer” building a more just and equitable future.

Class Description:

Hope Is Where the Heart Is: Conversations with Clevelanders Finding Hope in Our World: Each week we will welcome special guests from the arts community who are fostering hope in the work they do. Through interviews and class discussions we will not only find out more about our guests, but also ourselves, and how we can cultivate more hope in our own lives

This class is offered on Zoom or in-person, please indicate how you will be taking the class when you register.

Instructor: Deena Nyer Mendlowitz

Deena Nyer Mendlowitz is a teacher and improviser.  She and her son, Rafi, are active members of STKA, and she is actively involved in Our Tent.  If you need a good laugh, a good pun, or a good way to connect pop culture, especially from the 80s, to Judaism, Deena is your person!

Class Description:

Pokémon: The Journey to Hope: Are you ready to be a Pokémon master? Embark on your journey through the Kolami region to build your team and become champion! Each week, learn about a new gym leader who uses a different Jewish value to run their gym and come up with creative strategies using the Pokédex to earn your badges! Help to defeat evil team Apathie and discover new Pokémon of the region! There’s so much to do on our journey, so let’s get started!

This class is offered in-person only.

Instructor: Annika Balish

Annika Balish is STKA's Music Director. She graduated from The College of Wooster with a degree in voice in 2022, and spent the summers of 2022, 2023 and 2025 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:

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: TBD