Take a journey through our most sacred texts, valued traditions, and shared history:

Join The Lookstein Virtual High School Scholars Program!

Program Highlights

Community of like-minded high schoolers

Excellent, award-winning, and accredited courses

Live classes with master teacher facilitators

Student-centered design 

Transcripts and Certificate of Completion

Important Information

Cohort Calendar

Spring: February 12, 2023 – June 4, 2023
Spring Registration Deadline: February 3, 2023

Independent Study Calendar
Courses are offered on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Students meet with their teacher for 10-30 minutes approximately 1x per unit.

Pricing
$625 per semester

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS…

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What is Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy?

Created in 2014, Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy is the nonprofit online school of Jewish studies of Bar-Ilan University. We offer dozens of online courses and digital content for students in grades 6-12 in Jewish texts, Jewish history, and Jewish ideas, and we work with schools, organizations, and families of all Jewish backgrounds.

What is the High School Scholars Program?

The Lookstein Virtual High School Scholars Program is a four-year program offering excellent online courses in Jewish texts, history, and values, live classes with a master Jewish educator, and a Lookstein Virtual High School Scholar Certificate from The Lookstein Center of Bar-Ilan University for students who complete 6 semesters.

 

Lookstein Virtual coursework combines the best of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on-demand) online learning. The asynchronous coursework is independent and on-demand and can be completed whenever and wherever you like. Coursework includes reading, watching, responding to prompts, and completing varied activitiesall guided by the Lookstein teacher, who is in constant communication with the students.

 

Students will also “meet” with their teacher regularly via Zoom. These sessions allow for the teacher and student to get to know one another, to discuss course material and to dig a little deeper into the content. Students enrolled in the Cohort Study Option will participate in group classes and collaborative learning activities. Students enrolled in the One-On-One Study Option will have individualized sessions according to their own schedule.

How much time will my child need to devote to the High School Scholars Program?

Students will need to devote 2 – 3 hours per week to the scholars program. This includes the live time spent with their instructor.
Students who complete 6 semesters will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion from The Lookstein Center of Bar-Ilan University

Who are the instructors?

Our instructors are master Jewish teachers from North America that have dedicated their lives to educating and inspiring Jewish teens and pre-teens. Our teachers (and students) come from all Jewish backgrounds and we make sure to pair families with the teacher that can best meet their educational and Jewish learning needs.

Is the teacher available aside from the live Zoom meetings?

Yes! Student-teacher correspondence is intentionally built into our curriculum, allowing students and teachers to build strong relationships, dig deeper into ideas and texts, and provide extra support if needed.

My child is not in high school. Do you have a program for younger kids?

Yes! Visit www.looksteinvirtual.org/middle-school-scholars-program to learn about our middle school program. To learn more about our programming for younger kids please email us.

Are your courses accredited?

Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accrediting Commission for Schools as a supplementary Education Program.

Upon course completion, you may request an official transcript from Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy of The Lookstein Center at Bar-Ilan University.

We want to participate in the cohort this semester, but are not sure if we’ll be able to complete all 12 credits needed to get the certificate. Can we still join?

YES! You can join for one semester at a time and decide later whether or not you will complete the program and receive your certificate. Click here to sign up!

We want to participate in the program but already took one (or more) of the courses in the curriculum. Can we take something else instead and still receive a certificate?

YES! You can select the One-On-One Study Option and select the course(s) of your choice. You are welcome to join the cohort for any future semesters.