Education

Hebrew School
The Hebrew School classes meet on Thursday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:30 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Classes are held in the downstairs library of the Church. Parking is at the downstairs parking lot. Classes are taught by Chuck Lieberman, the President of our congregation.

A Personal Note From Chuck Lieberman
The THC Hebrew School in its present incarnation is my own creation. I am the Hebrew teacher. I really know very little Hebrew and have had no Hebrew education since my Bar Mitzvah, about 50 years ago. On the positive side, I love the Hebrew language, I have learned much while teaching, and I know considerably more than my students. I might add that I find the Hebrew school satisfying, time consuming, and there does not seem to be anyone else both willing and able to do what I do so I really have no choice but to continue until God sends an Israeli couple to live in Boone and take over the heavy mantle that I bear so cheerfully and uncomplainingly. I am holding my breath. All of this began when I taught my own son his Bar Mitzvah. Then Marina Chase asked if I could do her Bat Mitzvah and the,.... Are you getting the picture? Somehow at some point I started a Hebrew class which has now continued over a decade, usually with about three or four kids, sometimes with adults or teenagers. We began Friday afternoons but for the last couple years we have been meeting Thursdays, 4;30 to 5;30 PM in the downstairs library of St Lukes Church on Council Street. There is no charge for the Hebrew School. I am a volunteer so if you object to my educational techniques you are free to, hmmm, I think I will leave this sentence unfinished.


We learn the Hebrew Alphabet first of all. I teach the common blessings. I teach the stories of the Torah, the morality and ethics of Judaism, the history of the Jews, Bible stories, translation and grammar of Hebrew, and finally I tutor students individually for bar and bat mizvot. That is about it. Adults are always welcome. I also encourage parents to stay for the lessons as adults tend to elevate the pedagogical atmosphere. I feel that if I did not have a postal job and if I was not taking care of a farm with three thousand Christmas trees and 200 blueberry bushes I would probably be able to do a much better job, prepare lesson plans and that kind of stuff.


Not every child has a religious inclination. I have learned that. But every child deserves a shot, a taste, of the marvelous Jewish world that is out there and that I seek to convey to the best of my poor abilities.
Baruch Hashem
 

Hillel at Appalachian State University
Hillel activities include holiday and Shabbat celebrations and services, parties, films, speakers, and Israel-related activities. Hillel at Appalachian State University is active in the United Campus Ministries Association of A.S.U. The Temple of the High Country and Hillel maintain close ties and Hillel also frequently works with ASU's Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies. We meet in the New River Room in the Student Union every other Wednesday 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Everyone is welcome! 




Have questions, contact:
Dr. Denise Lovin, Advisor, Club History
lovindm@appstate.edu


Announcements
Volunteers are needed to help out at the Hebrew School here in Boone. Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 pm @ St. Luke's and help teach the next generation of Jews (and possibly Hillel)!

The Temple of the High Country thanks the Hillel Students for their generous donation of $1,000 for our building fund,.  This money was raised by organizing a masquerade ball which was extremely successful and enjoyed by all.   The Hillel students presented this check at our pot luck dinner and  Hanukah service on December 11, 2009.  We are blessed to have these students as part of our temple family and we are in awe of their commitment to Judaism and their support of our congregation..  They are our next generation of Jews and they are doing a wonderful job of passing on the light.   We are so proud of all of them......


Publicity
We have been fortunate to have been the focus of several articles over the past few years. Please feel free to read them and tell your friends!

 Article in The Appalachian about ASU's First Campus-Wide Passover Seder Spring 2006.

 Article on the Hillel website about Rachel and Daniel Rosenberg Fall 2006.

 Article in The Appalachian about ASU's First Sukkah On Campus Fall 2007 and article in Mountain Times Fall 2007. 

Article in The Appalachian about ASU's Second Campus-Wide Passover Seder Fall 2008. 

Article in Mountain Times about ASU's Second Time Celebrating Sukkot Fall 2008. 

Article in The Appalachian about ASU's Third Campus-Wide Passover Seder Spring 2009.
 

ASU Judaic Center
For details, click here to link to the Center for Holocaust Studies at ASU. You can also use this link to support the work of the Center by becoming a "Friend of the Center."