A Rabbi's Recollection
By DIANE TINDELL
"I remember growing up on
the west side of Philadelphia.
It was a one hour schlep each
way on the subway and buses,
twice during the week, and
Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. Why
did I do it? .. because the
finest courses in Judaica were
at Gratz College in
Philadelphia. Teachers from
all walks of life, Rabbis from
all schools of thought, taught
there," reminisces Rabbi Ken-
neth Berger, an alumnus of
Gratz College.
Originally from
Philadelphia, he received a
bachelor and a masters degree
in sociology at Temple Univer-
sity, and a Bachelor in Hebrew
Literature from Gratz in 1969.
In 1974 he was ordained at the
Reconstructionist Rabbinical
College in Philadelphia.
The reputation that Gratz
holds, commands far greater
respect than we are even
aware of. It is one of five non-
denominationally affiliated col-
leges of Jewish studies. A class
in Talmud may be taught by an
Orthodox Rabbi, while a PhD
in history explains Jewish
history. Gratz offers "dif-
ferent feelings, flavors, views
and perspectives of Judaism."
"Not everyone who goes to
Gratz become rabbis. Most
probably didn't. Gratz gave a
solid background in culture,
language, and civilization 
not a career! You really
became turned-on to Jewish
material," says Rabbi Berger.
His own personal impres-
sions are of a "certain
Hevrah," (brotherhood) a
solidarity and closeness with
classmates. All of them had
made a special commitment
for Jewish learning, gaining
respect by taking the best
Jewish studies courses
available anywhere.
"I believe that the opening
of this branch of Gratz College
is the most significant occur-
rence within the framework of
Jewish education done by the
community, since the opening
of Hillel.
Right now, we don't have
anything of this magnitude.
My teacher's certificate enabl-
ed me to teach in any Hebrew
High School in the U.S. and
Canada. Here, we must import
our teachers from the outside
or export people for training,"
remarks Rabbi Berger.
Gratz College offers the
community the opportunity for
all children, from all
movements of Judaism to
learn Hebrew, Torah, Jewish
literature and history. The
teenagers congregate, get to
know each other, and share
from their own backgrounds.
This is just the beginning, As
the courses advance into a full-
fledged program, a teaching
certificate, transfer credit, and
other options will become
available. Rodeph Sholom
Friday, September 18, 1987/The Jewish Floridian of Tampa Page 3-A
Holiday Message
Dear members of the Tampa
Jewish Community:
Another year has past. A
new year with fresh hope and
plans lies ahead.
Our city and state continue
to grow and prosper. The
natural resource of our com-
munity coupled with the hard
work and dedication of our
citizens has brought new in-
dustry, new development, and
continued growth. We've in-
deed been blessed.
But what of our Jewish com-
munity? Do we point to it with
personal pride? Is this the kind
of Jewish community we want
for ourselves ... for our
children ... for our grand-
children? If Tampa is to be our
home, does not each of us need
to devote time, individual ef-
fort, and money to insure that
the Jewish part of our lives is
as fulfilled as the business and
cultural segments. In our com-
plex world, it takes the
organized commitment of all of
us working together to keep
the Jewish people united and
strong.
In 5748, let us commit
ourselves to the continual
building of the kind of Jewish
community in Tampa that we
want for our families and to
provide greater support for
Jews in need here at home and
in the state of Israel.
May the new year bring
health, happiness, and peace to
each of you and to all mankind.
DOUGLAS B. COHN,
President
Tampa Jewish Federation
Rabbi Kenneth Berger
hopes to offer a scholarship to
the school.
"It is important in a growing
community such as Tampa to
have a place for teens to con-
tinue their Jewish studies,"
explains Berger. "To
strengthen our community,
our own teens must become
more educated about issues,
and only then will they be able
to provide informed Jewish
leadership."
Tampa Jewish
Mark Your Calendars: Second Annual
Interagency Board Institute Scheduled For Nov. 8
Sunday, Nov. 8, the Tampa
Jewish Federation, along with
the Hillel Day School, the
Jewish Community Center and
Jewish Family Services, will
sponsor its second Annual In-
teragency Institute, which will
be co-chaired by F. Sanford
Mahr and Joyce Swarzman.
"Based on the success of last
year's program, we want to
continue strengthening com-
munity ties and support," com-
mented Swarzman, who co-
chaired the 1986-87 Institute
with Franci Rudolph. "We
made great strides last year in
improving agency cooperation
and communication and this
year's Institute will carry on
the tradition of excellence we
have in Tampa," added Mahr.
Rabbi Reuven Kimmelman,
Chief Program Associate of
the National Center for Learn-
ing and Leadership (CLAL)
will be the scholar in residence
for the program. Rabbi Kim-
melman is presently Associate
Professor of Talmud and
Midrash at Brandeis Universi-
ty. He is a graduate of Yale,
where he received his PhD and
Masters in Religious Studies.
The Federation and its
beneficiary agencies look for-
ward to another successful In-
stitute. For further informa-
tion, contact the Tampa
Jewish Federation, 875-1618.
Community High School To Open Oct. 19
By DIANE TINDELL
Branch of Gratz College
Excitement peaks as the Tampa Jewish Federation, in
cooperation with congregational rabbis, proudly announce
the establishment of the Jewish Community High School as
a branch of Gratz College of Philadelphia, Department of
Secondary Education.
The program, a first of its kind in Tampa, encompasses
the total Jewish community and offers exposure to high
level Jewish thought. It features a combination of options
to satisfy various needs.
"Teenagers need strong guidance," says Joachim Scharf,
Representative of Gratz College Dept. of Secondary
Education to Tampa Bay area. "The objective of this pro-
gram is to sensitize our youth to the concepts of Judaism on
a teenage level in an exciting and meaningful fashion. To
help strengthen their identity, we must instill knowledge in
major areas such as Jewish thought, history, and
philosophy."
The first session will begin on Oct. 19 and run through
Jan. 20, 1988. Tuition will be set at $75 for each class per
semester or $150 for both classes. Classes will be offered at
the north branch of the Jewish Community Center on
Moran Road and the Hillel School of Tampa on Habana and
Horatio under the administration of Rochelle Lewis, who
will serve as principal.
The north branch class will meet once a week, on Mon-
days from 7:30 to 9 p.m., and open to students in grades 9
through 12. Instructors will be Rabbi H. David Rose of Con-
gregation Kol Ami, assisted by Cantor Vikki Silverman of
the North Tampa Reform Jewish Congregation.
The course taught at the north branch will be: JEWISH
LIFE 22 T'fillah. The course will introduce the students
to the Siddur, using a variety of T'fillot and analyzing them
in depth. The Siddur should be looked at as a framework to
practice with understanding.
The southbranch class will meet weekly on Wednesday
evening 7-8:30 p.m., at Hillel for students of grades 11 and
12. Rabbis Kenneth Berger and Richard Birnholtz will
teach the following class: LIFE CYCLE OF THE JEW 12
 The Jewish Calendar. The course introduces the
students to all Jewish holidays and significant events in the
Jewish year, tracing their origins in our sources, and sug-
gesting ways and means to observe them.
The school serves as an incentive for continuation of
Jewish education for pupils having diverse backgrounds,
and further upholds our educational standards. Students
may take classes in both branches and retain credit that
Facts At A Glance
LOCATION:
A Jewish Community Center, Northbranch, 3919
Moran Road.
B Hillel School of Tampa, 501 S. Habana.
TIME:
JCC Northbranch, Mondays, 7:30-9 p.m.
Hillel School of Tampa, Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m.
LEVELS:
JCC Northbranch, Grades 9-12.
Hillel School of Tampa, Grades 11-12.
TERM I:
Oct. 19, 1987-Jan. 20, 1988
TUITION:
$75 per course/per term
COURSES:
JCC Northbranch, JEWISH LIFE 22. Instructors: Rabbi
H. David Rose, Cantor Vikki Silverman.
Hillel School of Tampa, LIFE CYCLE OF THE JEW 12.
Instructors: Rabbi Kenneth R. Berger, Rabbi Richard J.
Birnholz.
For additional information and applications, call
875-8287.
can be cumulative toward a certificate issued by Gratz Col-
lege in Philadelphia (one of five accredited colleges of
Jewish studies).
It is interesting to note that the only off-campus branches
of the high school department outside Philadelphia are in
Delaware, and now, Tampa. The committee is hopeful that
soon credits will be transferable to the public and private
schools in the area, as they are in Philadelphia and college
credit will be offered as well.
As the school expands to a full program certification for
Sunday school teachers may become available, as well as
the summer program in Israel, subsidized by the
Philadelphia Jewish Federation. This is open to all Gratz
students.
The arrival of Gratz College is a major celebrated event
in Tampa, a culmination of efforts of Federation, the Rab-
binical Association, and the other supportive members of
the Tampa community. It promises not only the excitement
and reputation of the prestigous college, but a promise to
the future for our children.
For further information call 875-8287.
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