7th–8th Grade Tikvah Online Academy Summer 2024 Courses

Tikvah Online Academy offers high-level seminars—with small classes, master teachers, and spirited discussions—for students interested in Jewish ideas, Zionism and modern Israel, American democracy, and Western civilization.

✔ Classes are typically 10-15 students.

✔ Each class meets for three sessions, live on Zoom.

✔ Courses are open to all students regardless of their educational backgrounds. The application process is simple but selective.

✔ All applicants who are new to Tikvah will be asked to fill out a short application and schedule a Zoom interview. Tikvah alumni will be invited to complete the same short application, but will have an accelerated admissions process without an interview. Acceptances will be sent out within one week.

✔ Tuition is $75 per summer course. Scholarships are available for any family with financial need.

(Registration form is at the bottom of the page)

If you have any questions about the courses, please email Irina Rakhlis at irakhlis@tikvahfund.org.

The Re-Birth of Jewish NATIONALISM: How the Zionist Story Began

Daniel Gutkind
2 Date/Time Options Offered – This Course Meets Once-Per-Week, Over Three Weeks:
July 7, 14, and 21 | Sundays | 10:00 AM–11:15 PM ET
or August 4, 11, and 18 | Sundays | 10:00 AM–11:15 PM ET

Zionism has been defined as “Jewish nationalism,” but what does this phrase mean? And how exactly should the “Jewish” element be combined with the “national” one? Cultural Zionists and political Zionists have debated these questions since the movement began in the 19th century, and Israel’s political schisms today reflect these arguments. In this course, we will read and discuss texts by Theodor Herzl, Ahad Ha’am, and Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook in order to understand each writer’s position. Herzl and Ahad Ha’am were early Zionists whose opposing visions set the tone for the Jewish state, which Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook’s vision has shaped in the past decades. Our aim will be to understand the goals of these Zionist thinkers and how each understood the meaning of Jewish nationalism, and seek to understand their writings in their original context as well as how each reverberates today.
 
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Women of Valor: Inspiring STRENGTH and RESILIENCE

Sarah Rindner & Ariel Levenson
3 Date/Time Options Offered:
July 8–10 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 10–11:15 AM ET
or July 29–31 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 7–8:15 PM ET
or August 5–7 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 10-11:15 AM ET

In this course we will learn about the lives and contributions of three heroic Jewish women who served the Jewish people in different and outstanding ways. Together we will explore the historical context in which Sarah Schenirer, Hannah Senesh and Golda Meir lived and the challenges each faced. We will read first-person texts that give insight into their respective thought processes and passions. And we will evaluate the impact of their strength and resilience on the Jewish people and the world at large. Along the way, we will also explore the questions of what heroism looks like, and how we might also demonstrate bravery to meet the challenges of our own time.
 
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HONOR: The American Spirit in the Modern Era

Anne Continetti & Ariel Levenson
3 Date/Time Options Offered:
July 8–10 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 7–8:15 PM ET
July 29–31 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 10–11:15 AM ET
or August 26–28 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 10–11:15 AM ET

What does it mean to be honorable in America in the Modern Era? Where can we see examples of honor in our public servants and citizenry? In this course, students will use three primary sources to examine the idea of honor and how it is demonstrated by members of our political class and by American citizens. Students will gain knowledge about three different eras: World War Two, the Cold War, and the War on Terror, while practicing close-reading skills to analyze a text. Through these close readings, students will discover how the American spirit encourages us to live an honorable life.
 
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The Bold & Courageous: Women in Tanakh

Rachel Besser
2 Date/Time Options Offered:
July 8–10 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 6–7:15 PM ET
or July 22–24 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 6–7:15 PM ET

The heroines of the Hebrew Bible distinguish themselves in stories of faith, intrigue, and courage. In this class, we will explore the experiences and inner worlds of three such women: Miriam, Ruth, and Esther. We will delve into each woman’s respective story and its enduring resonance through the centuries and millennia. Miriam, the sister of Moses, played a pivotal role in the liberation of the Jewish people, while displaying wisdom and fortitude that sustained them during their journey through the wilderness. Ruth, our second heroine, was a Moabite widow who became the symbol of kindness, unwavering loyalty, and resilience as she left her home to join the Jewish people. Finally, Esther, a Jewish queen in a Persian world, found herself in a position to save her people from impending destruction.
 
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George Orwell’s Animal Farm

Dovid Schwartz
July 22–24 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 6–7:15 PM ET

In this course, we will read Animal Farm by George Orwell. Animal Farm is a simple story about farm animals who rebel against their farmer in a failed attempt to create a better society. It is also a profound criticism of Joseph Stalin and 20th century Russia. We will spend three sessions carefully reading the book and discussing what motivated the animals, where they went wrong, and what the farmer could have done better. Animal Farm is a rare book. You can first read in middle school and spend the rest of your life thinking about it.
 
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CURIOSITY Crossroads: Unveiling Mysteries in Midrash and Sherlock Holmes

Joshua Leavitt
July 15–17 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 6–7:15 PM ET

Although we don’t tend to think of curiosity as a virtue, let alone a Jewish one, at its heart it is an admirable inclination toward learning that seems to be as much about the desire and the process as it is about the outcome. To understand why this trait should be valued, we will read foundational tales about curiosity from the Talmud and Hebrew Bible alongside classic detective stories featuring the legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes. We will consider how modes of interpretation in midrash compare with methods of investigation in mysteries. By getting curious about curiosity, we will come to understand it as a Jewish ideal.
 
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How To Argue About Israel: Difficult Conversations with Courage and Intelligence

Kevin Schultz
July 16-18 | Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 7–8:15 PM ET

In an often hostile environment, how does one maintain conviction and credibility when arguing unpopular positions? The key, of course, is knowledge and expertise, grace and wisdom. But sometimes even knowledge and expertise are not enough to engage a rival point of view. In today’s cultural climate, defending Israel can feel like a huge, even overwhelming, task given the assumptions, worldviews, and often outright hatred coming from Israel’s detractors. In this timely course, you will learn how to evaluate arguments, identify ideologies, and understand the perspectives that often underlie the opposition to Israel, apart from any particular fact or news cycle item.
 
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How to Argue Politics in America: Right, Left, and Center

Kevin Schultz
2 Date/Time Options Offered:
July 30–August 1 | Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 7–8:15 PM ET
or August 6–8 | Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 7-8:15 PM ET

The U.S. is perhaps more polarized than it has been since the American Civil War. There are plenty of indicators suggesting this is true—political disagreements, religious affiliations, and class identity. The polarization extends into our own personal lives as well—from conversations with your uncle at Thanksgiving, and even to your choice in music and social media platforms. This course will examine the sources of this polarization—focusing on the history of the disputes—and potential resolutions. What institutions have Americans invented to work around our disagreements so that we can all aspire toward the ideals instilled in our nation since its founding?
 
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The Genius of Israel: Innovation and Resilience in the Jewish Homeland

Naya Lekht
August 26–28 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 7–8:15 PM ET

Dive into the extraordinary world of innovation and resilience through a reading of Dan Senor and Saul Singer’s The Genius of Israel. This course invites students to explore how a small nation, despite (or perhaps because of) its unique challenges, has emerged as a global powerhouse in technology, science, and culture. Students will delve into Israel’s rich history, examining the factors that have shaped its pioneering spirit. Through engaging discussions and critical analyses, participants will uncover the secrets behind Israel’s trailblazing advancements and its ability to thrive against the odds. This course not only celebrates Israeli ingenuity but also inspires students to think creatively and courageously in the face of challenges, fostering a mindset geared towards innovation and problem-solving in our interconnected world. Join us in this intellectual journey to understand how Israel continues to make remarkable contributions to humanity.
 
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