Milken Community High School

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Milken Community High School, colloquially called Milken, is a private Jewish High School in the Bel-Air area of Los Angeles, California.

Though it is affiliated with the Reform Stephen S. Wise Temple, it is officially non-denominational.

The school's middle school spans from grades 7 through 8, while the high school spans 9 through 12. Currently, about 200 students are enrolled in the middle school, while 600 students are enrolled in the high school, making it one of the largest Jewish Private High Schools in the United States.

1 Mission
2 Programs
3 Academics
4 Judaism
5 Administration and Faculty
6 Notes
7 External links

[edit] Mission

"On the foundation of the highest academic standards and Jewish ethical and spiritual values, Milken Community High School of Stephen S. Wise Temple develops students with sharp minds, generous hearts, and kind souls. We value each member of our pluralistic community while we foster a deep connection to Israel, a lifelong dedication to the Jewish people, and a passionate commitment to the service of humanity and the perfection of God's world."

[edit] Programs

The school prides itself on several Centers of Excellence, including the Stephen S. Wise Music Academy and Los Angeles Youth Orchestra, its Educational Technology and Broadcast Studio Program, its Wildcats Athletics Program, the Advanced Jewish Studies Center, and the Mitchelle Academy for Science and Technology. Other student organizations include The Roar student newspaper, the Writes of Passage literary club, Junior Statesmen of America, Young Doctors Club, and Model United Nations, among others.

The school has a Mexico Exchange Program and a monumental four month study abroad experience in Israel, called the Tiferet Israel Fellowship.

[edit] Academics

The academic departments are English, Social Sciences, Science, Mathematics, Jewish Studies, Hebrew, World Languages (Spanish, French, Latin), Health, Information Technology, Media Studies, Physical Education, Visual Arts, Theatre Arts, and Music.

[edit] Judaism

All students are required to take four years of Hebrew, of which 18 different levels are offered. Four years of Jewish studies are also required, offered at regular, honors, and high honors levels(9th-Jewish Law, 10th-Humash, 11th-Jewish Law, 12th-Jewish Thought). Minyan takes place once a week, with varied options such as traditional-egalitarian, yoga, social action, meditation, liberal, and others. An optional daily Mincha minyan is also offered. Through the Advanced Jewish Studies Center, many electives are offered, including comparative religions, intensive Talmud study, and others. Kivuns are offered every week or two, of which each student must attend two each semester, in which guest speakers lecture students on topics relating to Judaism.

[edit] Administration and Faculty

Milken's faculty and administration are extremely qualified in the subjects they teach, and many have advanced degrees, including Masters and Ph.Ds. The administration consists of Director of Education Ms. Metuka Benjamin, Head of School Dr. Rennie Wrubel, Assistant Head of School Jonathan Cassie, Upper School Principal Roger Fuller, Middle School Principal Sarah Shulkind, Upper School Rabbinic Director Rabbi Gordon Bernat Kunin, and Middle School Rabbinic Director Rabbi Leah Kroll.