Dr. Beth Samuels High School Program for Girls

At Drisha, we view Tefillah as a core feature of every learning environment. Over the course of the summer, our students will experiment with different ways of connecting to the siddur, through communal Tefillah in our Beit Midrash, individual Tefillah in nature, song, meditation, journaling, text study and more.

Two and a half hours each morning are divided up into chavruta time and class time as students study yeshiva-style Talmud and commentators under the guidance of master educators. These classes are divided up by level and learning style, ensuring that all students are in environments where they will grow. Morning seder is the heart of our program, offering high school students unparalleled Talmud immersion.

In these fast-paced courses, students will complete either a short tractate of the Talmud or a book of Nakh over the course of our program. Bekiut style learning prizes breadth over depth, so students are exposed to a wide array of concepts and ideas. This style of learning gives students a rewarding sense of accomplishment in their learning and is also a skillset useful for gaining a wide perspective on the Jewish library.

Each week students are offered a different set of electives on topics of Tanakh, Midrash, Halakhah and Jewish History with some of Drisha’s most beloved faculty and experts in the field. The Afternoon Elective program makes each week different from the last and also exposes our students to a wide variety of topics and faculty. Previous electives have included:The Critique of the Temple in the Prophets; It’s Not Just Talmud! Exploring the Midrash on Mitzvat Lulav; Jacob & Israel; Mourning Loss, Finding Meaning in Destruction; Preparing for Tisha B’av – A Look At The Biblical Narrative; Autobiographical Torah ; Elisha ben Abuyah: The High Road to Heresy; Being a Good Person: Halakha and Ethics

Two nights a week, students are given the opportunity to try their hand at Torah research and writing. Each student selects a question, and her research and writing is guided by her own interests and supported by faculty and staff. In prior years, students have explored abortion in Jewish law, the relationship between Joseph and his brothers, playing organized sports on Shabbat, Jewish weddings, Spanish-Portuguese customs and more.

On Thursday nights, students gather in the Beit Midrash and hold a public debate. The proposition is determined by a faculty member who also furnishes source material. Students speak for three minutes each, either in favor of or against the proposition. For many students, this is their first experience with extemporaneous speaking or public debate, and our program’s supportive atmosphere provides a gentle and empowering entry to this life-skill. The Debate Midrash concludes with a vote on the proposition.

In the early afternoon, after a leisurely lunch and break, we take advantage of our camp environment, go outside and get active. Afternoon activities include options like gaga, swimming, archery, kickball, a water fight or ropes course.

Following our night time educational programming, students have free time until curfew. The Madrichot organize fun optional activities at these times like improv activities, flashlight tag, bonfires, talent shows, paint nights and more. Students also use this time for continued independent learning in the Beit Midrash.

Shabbat preparations begin Thursday night with challah baking, Mishmar and a late night tisch. On Friday, in addition to regular classes, we prepare our space for Shabbat: constructing our eruv, decorating our space, setting the tables and writing shabbat-o-grams. Shabbat begins with students reading Song of Songs and a gorgeous student-led Kabbalat Shabbat. Dinner is accompanied by a Dvar Torah and followed by a student-led tisch. Shabbat morning features communal Tefillah, a shiur at Kiddush, and free time before lunch. The long summer afternoon has plenty of time for rest, affinity group meetings and more learning opportunities before and after Seudah Shlishit.