Take a journey through our most sacred texts, valued traditions, and shared history:
Join The Lookstein Virtual Middle School Scholars Program!
Program Highlights
✓ Cohort of like-minded middle schoolers OR individualized 1:1 program
✓ Excellent, award-winning, and accredited courses
✓ Live classes with master teacher facilitators
✓ Engaging, thought-provoking, and meaningful Jewish content
✓ Jewish holiday programming throughout the year
✓ Transcripts and Certificate of Completion from The Lookstein Center of Bar-Ilan University
2024-2025 Cohort Study
Year-long study with a cohort of your peers:
6/7 Grade Jewish History Cohort
Grade Levels: 6/7
Class Time: Sundays, 9:00 AM EST
Course: A Story of Resilience and Survival – Parts 1 & 2
6/7 Grade Jewish Text Cohort
Grade Levels: 6/7
Class Time: Sundays,10:00 AM EST
Course: The Leadership of King David – Parts 1 & 2
8/9 Grade Cohort
Grade Levels: 8/9
Class Time: Sundays, 9:00 AM EST
Fall Course: The Rabbis of the Talmud
Spring Course: The Rise and Fall of King Shlomo’s Kingdom
Important Information
Program Dates: September 15 – May 18
Registration Deadline: August 1, 2024
Year-Long Program Price: $1350
* Cohort availability dependent on minimum number of registrants.
** 6th and 7th grade students may participate in both the history and text cohort options.
2024-2025 Independent Study
Select from one of the semester-long courses below:
Jewish Values Courses
The Big Ten: An Adventure in Core Jewish Values
Inspirational Figures of the 20th Century
Jewish History Courses
A Story of Resilience and Survival – Part 1
A Story of Resilience and Survival – Part 2
The Rabbis of the Talmud
Jewish Text Courses
Heroes and Holidays of the Calendar
The Leadership of King David – Part 1
The Leadership of King David – Part 2
The Rise and Fall of King Shlomo’s Kingdom – Part 1
The Rise and Fall of King Shlomo’s Kingdom – Part 2
The Stories and Legends of Eliyahu Hanavi
Important Information
Independent Study Dates: Semester-long courses are offered on a rolling basis. Students complete independent work and meet with their teacher for up to 30 minutes approximately 1x per unit. We encourage students to take one course during the fall and one during the spring.
Semester-Long Independent Study Price: $750
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. Check out our parent organization at www.lookstein.org. 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 Middle School Scholars Program?
The Lookstein Virtual Middle School Scholars Program is a three-year program offering excellent online courses in Jewish texts, history, and values, live classes with a master Jewish educator, and a Lookstein Virtual Middle School Scholar Certificate from The Lookstein Center of Bar-Ilan University for students who complete 5 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 activities—all 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 Middle School Scholars Program?
Students will need to devote approximately 2 hours per week to the scholars program. This includes the live time spent with their instructor.
Students who complete 5 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 middle school. Do you have a program for younger and/or older kids?
Yes! Visit www.looksteinvirtual.org/high-school-scholars-program/ to learn about our high 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 10 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.
What is the refund policy?
Students who officially withdraw from their courses through written notification by the Parent to Lookstein Virtual may receive a refund of tuition according to the following schedule:
- A full refund will be granted one week prior to the start of semester.
- 50% tuition refund, for that semester, will be granted if the withdrawal from the course occurs during the first week of the semester.
- Tuition refunds are not granted for withdrawals after completion of the first week of the semester.
Still have questions? Contact us at admissions@lookstein.org or schedule a chat at https://calendly.com/lookstein/families.
The Big 10: An Adventure in Core Jewish Values
Recommended for 6th and 7th Grade
Talking about someone behind their back? Judging someone for how they dress? Feeling Jealous of a sibling’s new iPhone? Kids in this course discover that the Ten Commandments have pretty modern implications, and may even serve as a guide to our most tricky personal challenges. In this study of the Ten Commandments, students uncover key Jewish values and important lessons to live by.
Heroes and Holidays of the Calendar
Recommended for 6th and 7th Grade
In addition to the delicious foods, fun traditions, and family gatherings, the Jewish calendar provides ample opportunity to investigate the Jewish ideas of strength and character found in our most sacred texts. In this course, students take a deep dive into the texts of Esther and Ruth and explore themes of heroism, activism, and self-determination.
A Story of Resilience and Survival (2 parts)
Recommended for 6th – 8th Grade
Over the centuries, the Jewish people have faced challenge after challenge. How did they stay together without their own state? How did they survive, even thrive, despite pressures to conform? In this survey course from the Second Temple destruction until the establishment of the State of Israel, students explore the treasures of the past, seeking and finding clues to answer these questions.
The Leadership of King David (2 parts)
Recommended for 6th and 7th Grade
Students follow King David as he lays the foundations of the Kingdom of Israel and ushers in an era of growth and strength for the Israelite nation. They conduct an in-depth analysis of the text of Shmuel Bet, examine different leadership qualities, and discover how teshuva (repentance) can empower us to move forward despite failures and challenges.
The Rabbis of the Talmud
Recommended for 8th Grade
Why does the Talmud look the way it does? Who are all of these rabbis? Students in this course go “behind the scenes” to explore the layers of the Talmud and how it took on the format we know today. They meet the Rabbis whose nuanced arguments we study in depth and gain an understanding of how their personalities can enrich our own Talmud Study.
Inspirational Figures of the 20th Century
Recommended for 8th Grade
Has there ever been a Torah scroll in space? Where did the Hebrew word for ‘sandwich’ come from? What does the theory of relativity have to do with Judaism? In this course, students will “meet” 10 of the most memorable Jewish figures of the 20th century and discover how they were each impacted by our shared heritage. As they explore the lives of these 10 figures, students will have the opportunity to reflect on their own developing Jewish identity.
The Stories and Legends of Eliyahu Hanavi
Recommended for 8th Grade
The Rise and Fall of King Shlomo’s Kingdom (2 parts)
Recommended for 8th Grade
The reign of Shlomo is considered the most peaceful time in Jewish history. By virtue of his leadership, wisdom, and God’s blessing, he built the Temple and transformed Jerusalem into a vibrant and unified capital. After his death, however, poor decisions led to the splitting of the nation into two separate kingdoms. In this course, students will explore the highs and lows of this period and consider how it relates to their own lives. They will uncover the splendor of the Temple and the triumph of good leadership juxtaposed with the pitfalls and tragedy caused by failed leadership.