Family Education Program
2004/2005
Pardes Levavot is pleased to announce an exciting and innovative
approach to Jewish education which is consistent with the principles
of Jewish Renewal and which will achieve a sustainable impression with
our children. This program has been designed by our Rabbis Nadya and
Victor Gross. They are personally committed to helping families live a
Jewish life in a way that is meaningful to each family. The emphasis is
on strengthening Jewish values in the home through a family education
program, building a relationship with Torah within the context of
community through interactive experience, and providing Hebrew language
in small groups to meet individual family needs. The more traditional
Hebrew school approach, which has as its primary goal the achievement of
Bar or Bat Mitzvah, leads to that event as the end of the educational
process. This program is committed to providing a foundation for an
ongoing commitment to living a Jewish life. Its central theme is a
family-based approach that includes the parents in the educational
process and places a meaningful level of responsibility upon the family
in educating the child in the home. It also includes children's Torah
study and Hebrew language education, as well as Bar/Bat Mitzvah training.
Teen members will have an opportunity to continue their participation
in community and deepen their understanding of Torah while assisting in
the children's Torah class.
This family-based approach is comprised of two basic components:
- Family Education consists of Midot and Torah study
- Hebrew Education consists of weekly small group language sessions
and/or B'nei Mitzvah preparation
Family Education is our unique education program for Pardes Levavot. It
is the foundation of the program and is the required component. While we
also recommend Hebrew Education, it is offered as an option in order to
meet the needs of individual families.
A brief overview of the program
Family Education:
Midot — Jewish Values. The focus is on Jewish values and
living a Jewish life. One midah (value) will be studied each month as a
family. Reb Victor and Reb Nadya will present the midah to the parents
the first Tuesday of each month, 7pm — 9pm. The teaching and
discussion will offer parents insights on how to bring the midah into
their family life. Study of the monthly midah will provide a basis for
weaving together a deeper understanding of the Jewish calendar, holidays,
songs and prayers. Parents will receive a packet of learning materials
to share with their children. Each packet will offer a variety and
range of opportunities so families can participate at a level which
works for them. The family will create a project or event around the
midah which will be presented at a second monthly session — Family
Afternoon. Family Afternoon will be on either the third or fourth Sunday
afternoon of each month and will offer children an opportunity to share
their family project. Family Afternoon will also involve the group in
an activity for the day, which relates to the monthly midah.
Torah Study. This component of the family program offers Torah
Study at various age levels, to meet the needs of the entire family.
Children second through sixth grades will participate in Torah study
at 9am, an hour before Shabbat morning services, the first and third
Saturday of the month. Reb Nadya, assisted by teen members, will present
the Torah portion in an interactive way so that the children will build
a relationship with the material.
The younger children, first grade and below will also meet at 9am,
an hour before Shabbat morning services, the first and third Saturday
of the month. They will be lovingly taught by a paid professional who
will help them to interact and build a relationship with Torah.
Adults will continue to study Torah with Reb Victor at 9am, before
Shabbat morning services, the first and third Saturday of the month.
The Teens will meet for
a Torah study, discussion, and brainstorming session with Reb Nadya
one Tuesday evening each month. In order to include post B'nai
mitvah members and welcome other teen members, this program offers
an opportunity for teens to continue learning Torah and to assist and
model for the younger children at Pardes Levavot. During this session
the teens will bring their creative ideas and develop a plan to assist
Reb Nadya in teaching the younger children the Torah portion.
Hebrew Education:
A new approach is being taken to studying Hebrew. Children will learn
the fundamentals of Hebrew and achieve a working knowledge of the language
while studying in small groups with contracted teachers. The education
committee will assist families to choose a teacher and arrange groups,
times and locations to meet individual needs. The sessions will be a
minimum of 60 minutes per week. Fees will be paid to Pardes Levavot.
Reb Nadya and Reb Victor will supervise the teachers and guide the
curriculum.
B'nai Mitzvah Preparation:
The B'nai Mitzvah students are required to fully participate in the
Midot program (parents class, and family afternoon). They will contract
with a Pardes Levavot sponsored tutor for whatever tutoring is needed
(Hebrew and B/Mitzvah tutoring or only B/Mitzvah if the Hebrew skills
are there). B'nai Mitzvah students have the option of participating
in the adult Torah Study or with Reb Nadya and the older children.
Youth Group:
Pardes Levavot offers
a once a month get-together to build relationships within our youth
community. Activities include havdala, pizza dinner, basketball
in our gym, games in the game room and whatever our creative youths
dream up to have fun. We also encourage and support them to come up with
ideas and suggestions to interact with the larger Jewish community and
to embrace community service.
Location
Pardes Levavot is blessed with a beautiful space shared with Shepherd
of the Hills Lutheran Church in Gunbarrel. This space offers us the
opportunity for our community to come together for services, study and
fun. Parent classes, Torah study, and youth group will meet here. The
facilities are also available for Hebrew class and Family Afternoon
if desired. The address is 7077 Harvest Road, near 71st and Lookout
Road in Gunbarrel.
Dates
Yearly, October through May. The detailed schedule for 2004-2005 is:
Torah Study: 9am to 10am before Shabbat morning services the first
and third Saturday morning of each month, beginning October 2, 2004.
Midot: Parents sessions 7pm to 9pm on the first Tuesday of
the month:
- October 5, 2004
- November 2, 2004
- December 7, 2004
- January 4, 2005
- Feburary 1, 2005
- March 1, 2005
- April 5, 2005
- May 3, 2005
Sunday family afternoons: either the third or fourth Sunday of
the month:
- October 24, 2004
- November 21, 2004
- December 19, 2004
- January 23, 2005
- February 27, 2005
- March 20, 2005
- April 17, 2005
- May 22, 2005
Hebrew Language: to be arranged individually.
B'Nai Mitzvah preparation: to be arranged individually.
Tuition for 2004 — 2005
Family Education Program — $350 per family.
This includes:
- Midot program: monthly parent class with Reb Nadya & Reb
Victor; family midah packet; monthly family afternoon activity.
- Torah Study: children's interactive classes first and third
Shabbat of each month for second through sixth grades and 4 years
through first grade.
Hebrew Language — $300 per child. This includes weekly
small group Hebrew language learning.
B'Nai Mitzvah preparation — per arrangement.
Registration
Family Education is the foundation of the education program at Pardes
Levavot. In order to be enrolled, one must enroll in Family Education.
While we encourage families to enroll their children in both Family
Education and Hebrew Language, Hebrew Language is optional.
If you have any questions or concerns, we welcome your call.
For more information regarding the program please contact
Faith Davis (303) 443-7588 or Sylvia Fibich (303)652-8875.
We look forward to a new and exciting year. To enroll, please complete
the registration form
and mail to:
Pardes Levavot
7077 Harvest Road
Boulder, CO 80301
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