Family Education
Bnai Keshet's Innovative Family Education Program, developed and administrated by David Weinstein, makes Jewish learning come alive for our students. Family experiential education creates enduring memories
Students in grades Gimmel through Zayin spend time each week in a theme-based course. The curriculum also includes a number of special activities that involve parents and children. By participating in these programs, students and their families will have a working knowledge of five of the core values which give Jewish life meaning.
Gimmel: Jewish Symbols and Hiddur Mitzvah
In the Gimmel year, students and parents will spend time exploring a variety of Jewish symbols. We will also investigate how the dynamic process of adding hiddur (aesthetic beauty) to the performance of mitzvot has shaped aspects of Jewish tradition. Together we will have practical interaction with mitzvot and will assess our own capacity for adding hiddur to the performance of ritual mitzvot.
Dalet: Kedusha
What does it mean to be a good person and a good Jew? The focus of the Dalet year is Kedusha. Kedusha is often translated as holiness, but a more accurate translation (i.e., closer to the Hebrew intent of the root kuf-dalet-shin) and a more functional definition would be "that which is special or unique." Students and parents will explore questions about the nature and forms of Kedusha in their own lives and the place of God in understanding the nature of Kedusha.
Hay: Tzionut
In this class we will explore the nature of Jewish nationhood and our connection to the land and State of Israel. Students and parents will look at the sources and motives for the Jewish attachment to the Land of Israel and will delve into how this attachment has been expressed in classical Jewish sources throughout centuries of exile leading to the creation of the modern State of Israel. We will also investigate and reflect on challenges facing the State of Israel and our own relationship to this unique place as Jews.
Vav: Tikkun Olam
Tikkun Olam, originally a concept in the Kabbalah, translates as "to repair the world." Students and parents will explore classical and modern Jewish sources and ideas on social responsibility, social action, and justice. In this very hands-on course, we will engage in the practical work of "repairing the world." The course will culminate with a presentation and celebration of each family's Tikkun Olam project.
Zayin: Hochma
At the doorway to Jewish adulthood, students will explore their personal connections to all they’ve been taught. Zayin students are actively preparing for their B'nai Mitzvah, and with their families, engage in the study of Jewish texts using traditional processes and sources to derive modern meanings. Families will learn how to write D'vrei Torah (commentaries on the Torah) and will work on preparing an original D'var Torah for the upcoming Bat or Bar Mitzvah.
Students in grades Gimmel through Zayin spend time each week in a theme-based course. The curriculum also includes a number of special activities that involve parents and children. By participating in these programs, students and their families will have a working knowledge of five of the core values which give Jewish life meaning.
Gimmel: Jewish Symbols and Hiddur Mitzvah
In the Gimmel year, students and parents will spend time exploring a variety of Jewish symbols. We will also investigate how the dynamic process of adding hiddur (aesthetic beauty) to the performance of mitzvot has shaped aspects of Jewish tradition. Together we will have practical interaction with mitzvot and will assess our own capacity for adding hiddur to the performance of ritual mitzvot.
Dalet: Kedusha
What does it mean to be a good person and a good Jew? The focus of the Dalet year is Kedusha. Kedusha is often translated as holiness, but a more accurate translation (i.e., closer to the Hebrew intent of the root kuf-dalet-shin) and a more functional definition would be "that which is special or unique." Students and parents will explore questions about the nature and forms of Kedusha in their own lives and the place of God in understanding the nature of Kedusha.
Hay: Tzionut
In this class we will explore the nature of Jewish nationhood and our connection to the land and State of Israel. Students and parents will look at the sources and motives for the Jewish attachment to the Land of Israel and will delve into how this attachment has been expressed in classical Jewish sources throughout centuries of exile leading to the creation of the modern State of Israel. We will also investigate and reflect on challenges facing the State of Israel and our own relationship to this unique place as Jews.
Vav: Tikkun Olam
Tikkun Olam, originally a concept in the Kabbalah, translates as "to repair the world." Students and parents will explore classical and modern Jewish sources and ideas on social responsibility, social action, and justice. In this very hands-on course, we will engage in the practical work of "repairing the world." The course will culminate with a presentation and celebration of each family's Tikkun Olam project.
Zayin: Hochma
At the doorway to Jewish adulthood, students will explore their personal connections to all they’ve been taught. Zayin students are actively preparing for their B'nai Mitzvah, and with their families, engage in the study of Jewish texts using traditional processes and sources to derive modern meanings. Families will learn how to write D'vrei Torah (commentaries on the Torah) and will work on preparing an original D'var Torah for the upcoming Bat or Bar Mitzvah.
