Our Tent 2025-26 Second Trimester Class Descriptions

Class Description:

20^th Century Jewish History – Part XII: This class will deal with American Jewish history, predominantly in a chronological fashion, starting in the 1940s. We will discuss 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:

Humor, Hope, and Hard Work: A Timeline of Jewish Non-Binary and Female Comedians: From Joan Rivers to Bea Arthur to Gilda Radner to Ilana Glazer and many more, we'll dive deep into at least a minyan's worth of Jewish comedians. From their unique comedy voices to the way Jewishness had impacted their art, we'll watch key performances and discuss it all while laughing our tuchuses off.

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:

A Nappel A Day: Finding Hope in the Hard Days: In challenging times, it can feel like hope is out of reach — but Jewish tradition reminds us that even in the darkest moments, light can be found. If you have met me, you probably know that I tend to look through life through a positive lens. This class is a journey into discovering resilience, joy, and meaning through the lens of Jewish texts, poetry, meditation, and even pop culture. Together, we’ll explore ancient teachings and modern inspirations, finding unexpected sparks of hope in familiar prayers, Psalms, contemporary music, film, and everyday life. Through reflective practices and open-hearted conversation, we’ll learn tools to cultivate inner light and share it with others. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply seeking spiritual grounding, this class offers a space to reconnect with your sense of purpose, presence, and hope.

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: Liam Jacobs

Liam has eight years of experience in early childhood education and has been the Torah Tots teacher for Our Tent for five years. This year, he is beginning his graduate studies in Counseling and Art Therapy at Ursuline College to further support children’s growth and creativity. At Our Tent, he enjoys facilitating art activities that introduce his students to Jewish holidays, traditions, and values, nurturing their interest and connection to Judaism. When not working or studying, he enjoys spending time with his dog, a Yorkie-poo named Sheila. Liam is very excited to return as the Torah Tots teacher this year and to connect with the STKA community.

Class Description:

Soaking Up Even More Words of Torah:  The last three words of the blessing for studying Torah are “l’asok b’dvrei Torah,” which can be translated as “to soak up the words of Torah." So, let’s dive into the deep end past the surface meanings and seek out the interpretations to be discovered below the depths. No prior study of Torah is expected or needed to enjoy this class. All that's needed is an open mind and an open heart.

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

Instructor: Rabbi Ben Sternman

Rabbi Ben recently retired from being the rabbi of Adat Chaverim in Plano, Texas and moved back to Cleveland, his adopted hometown. He is grateful to continue to teach, a passion of his.

Class Description:

Tikkun Olam: Judaism and Social Justice: Judaism has always had an emphasis on social justice.  This class will explore what is a Jewish issue, and  how Judaism has approached social justice in the Hebrew bible, Talmud and early rabbinical writings.  We will then explore how Jews and Judaism in the United States have contributed  to social justice in the United States in such areas as the civil rights, labor, and feminist movements.  We will conclude with examining Jewish groups across the country who are working for social justice today.

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:

Lego My Temple!: The original Temple was the center of the ancient Jewish community.  In this class we will not only learn about the role it had in the daily lives of Jews at the time, but we will also learn all about how it was built, and we will build our very only model out of Lego bricks to be displayed in the learning wing.

This class is offered in-person only.

Instructor: Yossi Berkowitz

Yossi Berkowitz graduated from The Ohio State University with degrees in economics and political science. He has worked at Camp Wise, where he supervised both the oldest and youngest campers, and he loves discussing and teaching Jewish history. He’s excited to bring his experience to STKA for what he hopes will be the first of many classes!

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: Liam Jacobs

Liam has eight years of experience in early childhood education and has been the Torah Tots teacher for Our Tent for five years. This year, he is beginning his graduate studies in Counseling and Art Therapy at Ursuline College to further support children’s growth and creativity. At Our Tent, he enjoys facilitating art activities that introduce his students to Jewish holidays, traditions, and values, nurturing their interest and connection to Judaism. When not working or studying, he enjoys spending time with his dog, a Yorkie-poo named Sheila. Liam is very excited to return as the Torah Tots teacher this year and to connect with the STKA community.