Torah High Hours
In order to receive an Ontario Ministry Approved credit, students must complete 110 hours of educational instruction.
Torah High divides these required hours into two components. While 80 hours are completed in class through weekly 2-hour and 15 minute classes (with a break), the remaining 30 hours (which we call "Torah High hours") must be accumulated through a combination of the following options:
In order to receive an Ontario Ministry Approved credit, students must complete 110 hours of educational instruction.
Torah High divides these required hours into two components. While 80 hours are completed in class through weekly 2-hour and 15 minute classes (with a break), the remaining 30 hours (which we call "Torah High hours") must be accumulated through a combination of the following options:
1. Weekend Conventions (Out of Town Trips)
The easiest (and most enjoyable) way to accumulate the required hours is through the numerous Weekend Conventions that Torah High and its parent organization, NCSY, provide throughout the year. Each of these Weekend Conventions combine fun activities, touring, and interactive and interesting educational programs. The number of hours offered at each Weekend Convention is directly dependant on the number of educational programs on the Weekend Convention, which is typically run over Shabbat. There is a cost to cover travel expenses to attend Weekend Conventions, however, financial-based scholarships are always available. |  |
Torah High will be running 4 Weekend Conventions in the 2011-2012 school year:
- New York City - November 2011: This weekend convention includes shopping and touring around New York City, such as Times Square, Chinatown, and much more. Students receive 12 Torah High hours for attending.
- Yarchei Kallah - February 2012: This weekend convention takes place in Toronto and has a larger component of educational programs with guest speakers from around the world. There is always a Saturday night activity like Playdium or a Stretch SUV Limo ride. Students receive 20 Torah High hours for attending.
- Washington Trip - March Break 2012: This trip takes place over 5 days in Washington, and includes educational programming and touring, such as the White House, Smithsonian, Holocaust Museum, shopping, and more. Students receive 17 Torah High hours for attending.
- Spring Regional - May 2012: This weekend convention usually takes place at a camp or recreational facility and includes sports and other hands-on fun activities. Students receive 12 Torah High hours for attending.
2. Friday Night Shabbat Dinners Throughout the year, Torah High hosts Friday night Shabbat dinners that are open to all Jewish high school teens typically in the Sir Robert Borden High School cafeteria which include a program and a delicious hot 3-course meal. For each Friday night dinner attended, a student can receive three Torah High hours. There are also Shabbat Dinners at the homes of Torah High teachers that also count towards hours. |  |
3. Sunday Seminars
Torah High will be holding 4 Sunday Seminars throughout the school year, which will include guest speakers, interactive workshops and lunch. A typical Sunday Seminar would begin at 11am and finish by 4pm and take place at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. The Sunday Seminars will include fun and educational workshops and discuss topics relevent to Jewish teens of today and related to course materials. For each Sunday Seminar attended, a student can receive five Torah High hours.
Torah High will be holding 4 Sunday Seminars throughout the school year, which will include guest speakers, interactive workshops and lunch. A typical Sunday Seminar would begin at 11am and finish by 4pm and take place at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. The Sunday Seminars will include fun and educational workshops and discuss topics relevent to Jewish teens of today and related to course materials. For each Sunday Seminar attended, a student can receive five Torah High hours.
4. Learn N Earn
One evening a week at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre, for 1 hour, there is a Learn N Earn program (which day of the week is to be determined for 2011-2012). The program allows you to learn one-on-one or in small groups with a learning partner on any Jewish topic of your choice! This popular program allows you to ask all the questions you have in a relaxed environment. Food is served at the end of the hour. You can receive 1 Torah High hour for each Learn N Earn you attend. The program is open to all Jewish teens in Ottawa as teens can choose between receiving 1 Torah High hour or a $10 cash stipend. |  |
5. Large Community Events
Torah High encourages its students to participate in large community events to get to know the vibrant Ottawa Jewish community. Programs include Mitzvah Day, the Walkathon and Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day). These programs typically offer 2 Torah High hours.
Torah High encourages its students to participate in large community events to get to know the vibrant Ottawa Jewish community. Programs include Mitzvah Day, the Walkathon and Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day). These programs typically offer 2 Torah High hours.
6. Jewish Holiday Programs
Torah High runs a Teen Purim Costume Party every year for 3 Torah High hours as well as a Lag B'Omer Bonfire for 2 Torah High hours. These events are fun and bring Jewish holidays to life! 7. Book Reports Students can obtain 12 hours by choosing to read a selected book and completing each book's selected report. Only one book report is allowed per credit. |  |
8. Other Options
Students can complete their needed hours through studying once a week with a young-adult learning partner, and other special programs typically come up in which Torah High hours are offered. Information about these options will be able provided to the students as they occur.
Students can complete their needed hours through studying once a week with a young-adult learning partner, and other special programs typically come up in which Torah High hours are offered. Information about these options will be able provided to the students as they occur.
Torah High Testimonial
"A great environment to enhance your Jewish experience with friends, food, great teachers and more! What could be better?"
Lorne Geller, Sir Robert Borden High School
