Kesher: Temple Israel's Supplementary Jewish Education Program
Launched in September 2024, Kesher is Temple Israel's new initiative designed to create an inclusive and innovative Jewish learning community for children and their families. Our program consists of two key parts: the Jewish learning component and the Givah B'Shana camp experience. This combined approach helps connect children to their Jewish heritage, each other, and the broader Jewish world, fostering a strong sense of belonging, pride, and identity.
Kesher provides a welcoming space for families offering an accessible and supportive environment where children can explore Jewish culture, traditions, and values. Our program ensures that every child, regardless of their background, feels comfortable and engaged while learning about Jewish life in a meaningful way.
To further enrich the experience, Kesher extends an invitation to Temple Israel’s day school children to join Givah B'Shana twice a month. This collaboration creates a dynamic and interactive Jewish camp experience throughout the year, allowing day school students to engage with their peers in a fun, community-centered setting.
By combining the educational depth of Kesher with the energetic and hands-on approach of Givah B'Shana, we offer a unique opportunity for children to develop a deeper connection to their Jewish identity. This approach not only strengthens Jewish identities but also enhances family bonds and connects them more deeply to the broader Jewish community. Through Kesher, children gain a sense of pride in their heritage, preparing them to navigate the world as confident, connected members of the Jewish diaspora.
We are extremely supportive of the following organizations for their support especially during our first year!
Program Structure:
The program caters to children of varying age groups, ensuring that each stage of development is met with appropriate content and activities:
- Jr. Kesher (Ages 3-5): Junior Kesher introduces our youngest learners to the rich tapestry of Jewish culture and tradition. Sessions occur twice a month on Givah B’Shana Sundays, offering a gentle immersion into the program.
- Tsierim (Grades 1-3): Tsierim sessions are designed to engage kindergarten through second grade children with interactive and age-appropriate learning experiences. These sessions occur weekly on Sundays, fostering community and curiosity about Judaism.
- Nitzanim (Grades 4-7): Nitzanim classes provide a deeper dive into Jewish education for students in grades 3 through 7. Weekly Sunday sessions encourage exploration, critical thinking, and connection to Jewish values and traditions.
Hevruta and Individual Sessions:
Students in grades 4 and above have the option to participate in weekly Hevruta (small group) sessions..These sessions, held at mutually convenient times, offer personalized learning experiences tailored to each student's needs and interests.
Bonim* - The Madrichim Experience:
Our program offers leadership training opportunities for students in grades 7 through 12. The Madrichim Experience, held on non-Givah B’Shana Sundays following the 8:30 Minyan, empowers students to take on leadership roles within the community while furthering their Jewish education journey. Madrichim will practice their skills and knowledge during our Kesher and Givah B’Shana programs.
* Should you choose to pay the fee for this group it will end up being used to compensate the students for their hard work during the program.
Join Our Year-Round Camp Experience
Givah B'Shana is now in our 2nd year with an opportunity to keep the Givah Ruach ongoing all year.
This program is an opportunity to see your camp friends yearround and maybe even make some new ones!
Click here to register and choose Kesher TI. There you can choose to only enroll in Givah B'Shana
Givah B'Shana Dates:
| Sept. 22 | Feb. 9 |
| Oct. 6, 20 | Mar. 9, 23 |
| Nov. 3, 24 | Apr. 6, 27 |
| Dec. 8 | May 4 |
| Jan. 12, 26 |