Although “tefillah” is most popularly translated as “prayer” or “worship,” which it is in the Jewish tradition, tefillah is more literally defined as introspection and reflection. Understanding deeply the challenge of tefillah, our Rabbis emphasized engaging in tefillah within a community at fixed times. They recognized the power of tefillah to enhance the bonds of community, and for community to enhance the depth of tefillah. Tefillah is our daily space at JCHS for reflection, community, spirituality and ritual. JCHS is offering a variety of virtual Tefillah options (see below.) While we are in Campus Mode #4 (All-Out), Tefillah is strongly encouraged instead of mandatory. Students may join any Tefillah on any regular school day on Mondays - Thursday, from 8:15 - 8:45 am. Students may drop-in to any/all of these options, or switch daily, except for Chavurah (which requires advance sign-up, see below)  

Tefillah will begin Monday, August 24. Students should check the Virtual Commons Resource board in the Portal for Zoom links to join Tefillah each day. 

Brain Games: Get mindful in the morning with brain games tefillah where we will be waking up with a logic puzzle, sudoku challenge, lateral thinking, or any number of other kinds of mental aerobics! Led by Mr. Michael Fitch and Mr. John Hagen

Chavurah: Come together for personal sharing and group reflection. If you are someone who enjoys hearing about the personal experiences of others, this is a great place for you. (To hold a safe space for dialogue, students must make a commitment to participate during the full quarter) Led by Mr. Evan Wolkenstein

Journaling: We will spend time writing and sharing reflective journal entries in which we will explore our emotions, experiences, hopes, dreams, fears, and more! Led by Ms. Marissa Cornelius.

Mechitza Minyan: We’ll come together in community to daven (pray) the text of the tefillot as it fulfills one’s daily obligation to pray. We will not be reciting devarim shebikdusha (lit. “sacred rites”), that is those items omitted when a minyan (prayer quorum) is not physically present. Students will lead as pace setters. We’ll also share, learn about and discuss various aspects of tefilah. Instead of Torah reading, students will have chance to offer Divrei Torah on Mondays/Thursdays. Led by Rabbi Shua Brick.

Mindfulness: A peaceful way to begin your day with a combination of meditation and emotional awareness exercises. Led by Rabbi Dean Kertesz.

Movement: Energize your morning! Come stretch and do some fun movement to get your blood flowing before all those Zooms. Led by Ms. Maria Lipkina.

Students can use these virtual spaces to do work for classes. It provides a more visible and social structure for independent work time. Students also can use these spaces for easy access to "group work space." These spaces will always be staffed by a JCHS faculty member, who can help answer questions and give guidance. At times when a student may be falling behind in work or missing deadlines, they may be asked to attend one of these spaces as a support structure. For Quarter 1, Supervised Study Halls are Mondays during C and D Blocks and Wednesdays during A and B Blocks. Homework Cafe runs every afternoon, Monday - Thursday from 3:30-4:30pm. Students should check the Virtual Commons Resource board in the Portal for Zoom links. 

Students can drop into the Library Help Desk via Zoom for help with research, citing sources, book recommendations or just to schmooze with Ms. Gluck, the JCHS Librarian. The  Library Help Desk hours for Quarter 1 are Mondays during A and B Blocks and Wednesdays during C and D Blocks. Students should check the Virtual Commons Resource board in the Portal for Library Help Desk Zoom links.

All teachers will have posted office hours on Fridays and at least one other day after school between 3:30 and 4:30pm.  Outside of those times, students can meet with their teachers when they share a common free block or during club block. To make an appointment with a teacher during Posted Office Hours students should go to  the Posted Office Hours resource board on the JCHS Portal to view faculty appointment calendars. This resource board will be available on Monday, August 24.

This time will include College Visits during Quarter 1, required class time for some AP classes in Quarters 2 and 4, and required Keystone sessions for 12th graders.  

Information about Co-Curricular Activities can be found on The Virtual Commons calendar. For descriptions and a list of Virtual PE Classes and Drama and Theater Tech Workshops, please visit those sections of "Our Plan 2020-21."

This time is required weekly for all students to meet in small groups (about 9-10 students) with a faculty facilitator to listen, share, offer support, have fun, and build relationships with each other in a social setting beyond the classroom. 

This time is required weekly for Knesset (our student council) and the educators on the Student Life Team to engage students in creative, spirited, community-building programs, student announcements and shout-outs, celebration of students, as well as introducing guest speakers and programs to bring the outside world into JCHS.