Chai High balances the need for post-B’nai Mitzvah education with an awareness of the numerous activities and responsibilities of today’s teens. The Chai High curriculum enables teens to understand the relevance of Jewish teachings in their lives and provides interesting opportunities for enrichment and learning.

On Tuesday nights, San Antonio Jewish teens gather for learning, friendship and community. Hebrew classes are offered from 7-7:45 pm and Judaics is offered from 8-9 pm. Between the two classes, students have a break time for snacks and hanging out with friends.

Chai High is funded by the Jewish Federation of San Antonio and by a grant from the Nathalie and Gladys Dalkowitz Charitable Trust at Bank of America.

To register for Chai High, download this registration form, or Chai High Online Registration.  More information about Chai High is also available in the Chai High Handbook. For more information about Chai High, contact Rachel Rustin, Chai High Director, at rachelrustin@jfsatx.org or (210)302-6969.

Judaics Curriculum
The Chai High curriculum covers topics from history to current events and from Jewish text to relationships culture and ethics. Judaics is taught by grade level from 8-9pm. For students searching for more in-depth, text study, the Intensive Track class is offered weekly.

As a community institution, Chai High is able to bring together the total resources of the Jewish community to ensure the highest quality of Jewish high school education. Chai High teachers are rabbis, educators and other Jewish role models in the community. They represent all branches of Judaism and are known for their commitment to and respect for Judaism.

Hebrew Classes
Learning conversational Hebrew is an effective way of connecting to our Jewish heritage and strengthening synagogue skills, and preparing for a visit to Israel. At Chai High, we offer different levels of Hebrew classes from 7—7:45 p.m.

Israel Travel Scholarships
Fostering a connection to Israel are priorities for SAAJE and the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. Therefore, they annually sponsor students on summer experiences in Israel.
Chai High students will be eligible for a subsidy, based on available funds, if they commit to attending Chai High during their 11th/12th grade year, write a letter about why they want to travel to Israel, and submit a letter of recommendation.
 
March of the Living
Chai High Students have the opportunity to participate in March of the Living, a two-week program which takes place in Poland and Israel. In Poland, they visit Jewish historic sites and concentration camps. On Yom Hashoah, they march from Auschwitz to Birkenau along with 10,000 students from around the world. In Israel, students experience the miracle of modern Jewish nationhood and celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel Independence Day. There will be a March of the Living Program in 2009-2010.

Panim Seminar
The Jewish Civics Initiative (JCI) is sponsored by Panim: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values. JCI Challenges students to become active in social and political issues, and shows how these actions relate to Jewish teachings. JCI is the focus this year for the 11th & 12th grade curriculum. The highlight is a retreat in Washington D.C. that includes interaction with policy experts, integration of Jewish values and public policy issues, exposure to Capitol Hill, visits to historic sites, and training for a community service project to be carried out in San Antonio.