Rodef Sholom: A Reform Jewish Congregation in Marin County, California

At Midrasha, teens search for meaning on Tuesdays nights at Rodef Sholom

The second trimester of Midrasha starts on January 4, 2011!  Spaces are limited so if you are a returning student and haven't already done so, click here to see the new electives and follow the instructions about how to select one.

Click here for a 2010-2011 Midrasha Calendar and Code of Conduct.

Click here for a list of spring trimester Midrasha electives

If you are new, click here for a link to registration materials you can download.

Big picture information:
Walk into the Social Hall on a Tuesday night and you'll find dozens of teens munching on pizza, playing ping pong, and mingling with friends. Come 7:00 pm, they're ushered into a many different classrooms where they engage in dialogue on a variety of Jewish themes. This is Rodef Sholom's "Midrasha" program, where teens from 8th through 12th grade meet on Tuesday evenings to deepen their Jewish knowledge and solidify their bonds of friendship.

"Jewish learning shouldn't stop at age 13," says Rabbi Michael Lezak. The teens who continue attending religious school after their b'nai mitzvah gain a broader and deeper understanding of their Jewish heritage. That's because Midrasha is geared to teens who are ready to handle more complicated, mature topics. Assistant Director of Education, Claire Mikowski, has been working tirelessly to cultivate a program that not only interests teens and helps them build lasting friendships, but that inspires them to continue their Jewish education into college and throughout their adult lives.

Eighth and ninth graders have the opportunity to select elective semester classes that appeal to a wide spectrum of tastes. Classes have included titles such as, "Eco-Judaism (Ethics of Consumerism)," "Anti Semitism ," "Israeli Culture," "Meditation," and " Social Justice Internship," just to name a few.

Tenth graders join Rabbi Michael Lezak in a class in which he helps foster Jewish learning on an even more sophisticated level. Topics have included an in-depth exploration of holiness, from holy language to holy money to holy bodies to holy community. One 12th grader remembers tenth grade Midrasha fondly and says that the memories will stay with her throughout her life. "Rabbi Michael was always excited to be teaching us every week, coming to class with a new topic that he seemed to bring alive with such passion," she recalls.

Eleventh and twelfth graders gather in a collaborative learning seminar. In this class, taught by Joel Resnikoff, the students drive the topics and discuss them in an open and supportive environment. Sam Toizer, an 11th grader, explained, "At the beginning of the year we come up with list of topics to cover that we are interested in discussing, not what he wants us to learn. We have talked about Israel and how the media had been covering the war; the ethical dilemmas surrounding the birth of the octuplet babies; and Torah portions of interest to us all. I like the class because while we are in tune with one another, we are also from different grades and have different experiences to share with one another. However, one of the main reasons why I attend Midrasha is to see my friends every week that I would not otherwise see."

The Midrasha years also offer opportunities for travel. Midrasha groups of various ages have travelled to Los Angeles, Poland, Israel, and New Orleans. Next year, New York City is on the calendar. The teens who partake in the trips all say the experiences were memorable and fun. One teen, who went on the Midrasha trip to Los Angeles, said that they met a lot of new people, visited the Holocaust Museum, and ate great triple-decker sandwiches at Canter's Deli! As Claire notes, "That group of students will continue to stay bonded long after the trip is over. And they learn so much on our trips. When the kids are traveling, and not in their normal space, they are most open to learning. In fact, I think Jewish learning occurs best on the road."

Midrasha classes (8th through 12th grade) meet at Rodef Sholom on Tuesdays nights from 7 to 9 pm when religious school is in session.  For more information, contact Claire Mikowski, the Assistant Director of Education, at 479.3447 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Practical information:

Midrasha Trips

• New York City for 9th & 10th Graders, fall 2010
• Los Angeles for 8th Graders, fall 2010
• New Orleans Trip for Teens & Adults, spring 2011

Midrasha Class Schedule

6:30 - 7:00 pm  Pizza & Salad (included in tuition)
7:00 - 7:55 pm  First Period
7:55 - 8:05 pm  Break (Hafsaka)
8:05 - 8:55 pm  Second Period
8:55 - 9:00 pm  Closing Meditation

Class begins promptly at 7 pm. Please be ready to start on time. You are expected to maintain consistent and regular attendance. We will phone you if you miss more than three times in a row.

Tzedakah & Snack

During the break time, we will open a snack bar where you can purchase drinks, candy and healthy snacks.  Most items cost 75 cents to $1.50 and all proceeds go to tzedakah.  Midrasha students decide where to donate these funds at the end of the year.

Code Of Conduct

1. Enjoy the time that you spend at Rodef Sholom. It is your spiritual home. Know that Jewish learning gets richer as you grow older. Stick with it and you will acquire the tools you need to live a meaningful life.
2. Be respectful of yourself and others while you are on synagogue grounds.
3. Smoking of any kind while on campus is not allowed and is grounds for a call to parents.
4. Electronic devices (including cell phones) - We come to Midrasha in order to build lifelong relationships based on Jewish values; therefore, we do not allow any use of electronic devices between 7 and 9 pm. [If you forget, we will hold any device and return it to your parents at the end of school].
5. Skateboards and scooters - For the safety of all present on this campus, no skateboards or scooters are allowed at Religious School. If you forget, you will be asked to leave them in the office until the end of school.
6. Honoring the above rules will earn you respect from your peers and your teachers; breaking of any of them could affect a recommendation for summer camp or college.

We love having guests at Midrasha but a guest who visits more than twice should register for Midrasha. A guest must bring to the school office prior to class a written release of liability signed by a parent or guardian w/emergency phone numbers.

Enjoy the journey!

Claire Mikowski
Assistant Director of Education
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it