Are you looking for awesome Jewish learning for a teen or tween?
Then Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy, an award winning and not-for-profit online school dedicated to bringing excellent and affordable Jewish learning to families everywhere, is for you!
Click HERE to schedule a consult with our team, or continue reading to learn more.
Students enrolled in Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy can dig into their history, explore the secrets of Jewish texts, or travel back in time and “meet” some of the most famous (and infamous) characters in the Jewish tradition! Courses are available in a wide range of subjects and levels, offer engaging and interactive on-demand units, and include “live” meet-ups with expert teachers.
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Tell me more!
What is Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy?
Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy is the nonprofit online school of Jewish studies of The Lookstein Center 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.
How do your courses actually work?
Our courses combine the best in independent and face-to-face education.
Our coursework is independent and on-demand (or asynchronous, as we call it in the biz) and can be completed whenever and wherever you like. Coursework includes reading, watching, responding to prompts, and completing varied activities.
Students will “meet” with their teacher regularly via Zoom. These “meet-ups” allow for the teacher and student to schmooze and get to know one another, to review and clarify course material, and to dig a little deeper into the content.
Meet-ups are up to 30 minutes in length, and are scheduled per content unit. Depending on the pace at which the student works through their course, this generally comes out to 2-4 meet-ups per month, or 10-12 meet-ups per course. Meet-ups are scheduled with the teacher directly.
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 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 when they are not meeting live?
Yes! We love to hear from our students!
Students and teachers correspond regularly over the duration of the course. Responses may not be immediate, but students can expect to hear back from their teacher within 24 working hours. Students should also be proactive about contacting their teacher if they need some extra support.
How many courses should my child take per semester?
For a first-time online learner, we recommend students start with one course per semester. If your child has learned with us or another online provider in the past, please feel free to register for 2 or more courses. Talk to us if you aren’t sure what is best for your family.
Do you offer Hebrew language?
We do not offer any Hebrew language courses at this time.
My child is younger than 6th grade, but I want to sign them up! Do you have anything for younger kids?
Our standard online courses are designed for 6th grade and up, and may be appropriate for some extraordinary 5th graders. We also offer limited programming for younger students, and are continually expanding our offerings. Please email us to learn more about options for students in grades 1-5.
What courses are available?
We offer a wide range of courses to appeal to teens and tweens with varied interests and backgrounds.
Jewish History and Values Courses
A Story of Resilience and Survival: Jewish History Survey Part I – Grades 7,8
Inspirational Figures of the 20th Century – Grades 8,9
Jewish History Survey: The Story of Exile and Return – Grades 9,10
Letters Home: American Jewish History – Grades 10,11
Jewish Women Lead – Grades 10,11
The Emergence of Modern Israel – Grades 10,11,12
Remembering the Holocaust – Grades 11,12
Jewish Texts – Previous Hebrew text study required
Themes in Megillat Esther – Grades 6,7
Themes in Megillat Ruth – Grades 6,7
David, Founder of a Dynasty: Shmuel Bet 1-10 – Grades 7,8
Quest for Eliyahu – Grades 8,9
Sage Advice: Selections from Pirkei Avot – Grades 9,10,11
From Names to a Nation: Shemot 1-13 – Grades 10,11,12
The nitty gritty
What is the cost?
The cost of a semester long course for 6-12 graders is $625.
How long does it take to get started?
Once you have selected, registered, and paid for your course(s), we need 7-10 days to get your course and teacher set up and running. As always, we will try our best to accommodate any special requests.
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 completion, you may request an official transcript from Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy of The Lookstein Center at Bar-Ilan University.
We do not offer university credit at this time.
What will I need?
All students need a computer/tablet, headset with microphone, webcam, and working internet.
Sounds great! How do I sign up?