JOLT: Jewish Online Learning for Teens
JOLT: Jewish Online Learning for Teens
Gratz College is a pioneer in on line Jewish education, and the Jewish Community High School of Gratz is proud to offer a variety of outstanding and challenging courses for teens, grades 8-12, through this innovative platform. Students from anywhere in the world with internet connection are able to enroll!
College credit is available for selected courses!
When are Classes Held?
Whenever it works best for the student! Our classes are available 24/7 with no requirement to be in a particular place at a particular time each week. Hebrew classes have a required live session each week. This time appears on the course list for the particular semester. Students should be sure that they are generally available at the time their class meets. There is also expected work for Hebrew on students’ own time. *Students who have not taken a JOLT course previously will need to participate in a mandatory orientation session prior to the start of the semester. Details will be sent upon registration.
Can I Earn College Credits?
Certain courses are designated as college credit courses, and carry additional tuition. Only juniors and seniors may receive college credits. As with all such credits, acceptance of transfer credits is subject to each college’s or university’s own requirements. In order to receive college credits, additional information and requirements will be mailed upon registration.
Is Special Equipment Needed?
No. A computer, internet connection and a word processor is all that is needed. Our virtual classroom is open 24/7, allowing students to access lectures, assignments and class discussions at any time. (Hebrew courses have different requirements. See details on Hebrew page)
Students who study at the Jewish Community High School of Gratz College
Local JCHS students may take JOLT courses in addition to their regular branch studies, in order to earn additional JCHS credits. Please consult your branch director. JOLT tuition and fees are in addition to any other JCHS tuition.
Select Programs:
Songs of My People: Partnership course with the Zamir Choral Foundation
JOLT is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for teens who sing in HaZamir choirs around the country to earn college credit while completing online course work in addition to their choir activities. This year-long course is open to members of Zamir Choral Foundation affiliated choirs. Participation in Zamir rehearsals and performances, in addition to online coursework is expected. The course is available to 11th and 12th grade students for 4 credits for the year-long course. College credit applies.
Hebrew Language Online
Several levels of modern Hebrew are offered. Full descriptions are on the “course description” page. Hebrew is a year-long course instead of one semester, and requires students to attend a weekly live webinar in addition to other work. Students are also required to have a webcam and microphone, davkawriter (a Hebrew word processing program), and to purchase the textbook.
For the 2011-2012 school year, live sessions are scheduled as follows:
Hebrew I: Thursday, 9:00 PM Eastern
Hebrew II: Monday, 9:00 PM Eastern
Day School graduates: Wednesday, 9:00 PM Eastern
Institutional Partners
The following schools, synagogues, and camps are working in partnership with The Jewish Online Learning for Teens to provide additional resources for students. Click on their names below to access their websites, or feel free to contact their director or the Jewish Online director for details if you are a student, member, or camper at one of the partner institutions.
- Camp Ramah in California
- Camp Ramah in Canada
- Camp Ramah Darom
- Camp Ramah in the Poconos
- Ramah Israel Seminar
- Community Hebrew High School of New Rochelle at Beth El Synagogue Center
- Union for Reform Judaism
- United Synagogue Youth
- Talmud Torah of Minneapolis
- Zamir Choral Foundation
- Ivry Prozdor at JTSA, New York, NY
- Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy, Michigan
- J-Site, Pittsburgh
- Temple Israel, Springfield, MO
If you or a teen you know is interested in this program please contact our Project Coordinator, Michael Schatz, by or 800-475-4635 ext. 267.
If you are a Rabbi, Educational Director, Head of School, or Camp Director and would like to discuss what institutional partnership entails, please also call Michael Schatz at 800-475-4635 ext. 267 or contact him through email.