| Pardes Levavot |  |
Pardes Levavot, “Orchard of Hearts,” was formed in the spirit of creating conscious holy community. Our name expresses the spiritual blossoming of each individual heart within an inspiring and nurturing orchard.
For information on our congregation please call (303) 563-2110 and leave a message or send email to info@pardeslevavot.org. To join our congregation, please print a copy of our membership form, fill it out, and send it to our Synagogue.
Pardes Levavot gratefully acknowledges Allied
Jewish Federation of Colorado for their support of
our Circle of Family Education program. Thank you!
FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM, 2005-2006Pardes Levavot is pleased to announce an exciting and innovative approach to Jewish education. Founded on the Torah principle, V'Shinantam l'vanecha, "and you shall teach your children", our program includes the parents, as well as children, in the educational process and provides encouragement and material support for parents to continue educating the child in the home. Our rabbis, Nadya and Victor Gross, are personally committed to helping families live a Jewish life in a way that is meaningful to each family. The program focuses on strengthening Jewish values in the home, building a relationship with Torah through interactive experience, and providing Hebrew language instruction in small groups. Families that choose to integrate fully into congregational life and observance, will find that there is a natural flow into Bar/Bat Mitvah preparation and a personalized, meaningful celebration. Teen members will have an opportunity to delve deeper into areas of Jewish study according to their interests. This program intends to provide a foundation for an ongoing commitment to living a Jewish life. This family-based approach is comprised of three basic components:
Family Education is the foundation of the program and is the required component. While we also recommend Hebrew Education, it is offered as an additional option in order to meet the needs of individual families. The B'nei Mitzvah class is open to congregation members beginning one full year before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah will be celebrated (this is, ideally, a two-year program). Pardes Levavot family education registration form A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMFamily Education:Jewish Values and Holiday Study The focus is on Jewish values, meaningful Holiday practices, and living a Jewish life. Each month a different Jewish value (middah) and holiday will be explored. We meet once a month for 3 hours. The whole family will be engaged in concurrent study groups during the first half of the session. Then parents, children, rabbis, and teachers will come together to share a potluck dinner and Havdalah celebration. Reb Victor and Reb Nadya will lead the parent class while professional teachers will guide the children in an interactive exploration of the same Jewish middot (pl. - values) and holidays. The teaching and discussion will offer parents insights on how to bring the middah into their family life. Study of the monthly middah 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. Torah Study This component of the family program offers an interactive Torah Study during Shabbat morning services, the first and third Saturday of the month. Reb Nadya works with the children, presenting the story and/or a value embedded in the Torah portion, helping them build a relationship with the material. Adults study Torah with Reb Victor, through engaging discussion. In addition to the Shabbat morning option, the Teens will meet with Reb Nadya one evening each month. In order to include post B'nai Mitzvah members and welcome other teen members, this program offers an opportunity for teens to continue their Jewish studies in an informal exploration of themes from Torah to Kabbalah. Hebrew Education: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 arrange groups and class times to meet individual needs. The sessions will be 90 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:Comprehensive B'nei Mitzvah preparation encourages each individual to create a personalized and meaningful celebration. The B'nai Mitzvah students will meet once a month with Reb Nadya, after Shabbat morning services, for a 90 minute class. This class will focus on the structure of the Shabbat morning service, our melodies and Torah trop, while also addressing what it means to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah. At the same time, Reb Victor will engage the parents in areas ranging from teen spirituality to what it means to allow our children to grow up. Families are encouraged to participate in the Middot and Holiday program, particularly during the year before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah year. During the year in which the Bar/Bat Mitzvah will be celebrated, each student will meet with the rabbis, privately, to discuss her/his Torah portion and prepare a d'var Torah (teaching/speech); additional meetings, with the parents included, will be scheduled to co-create the Shabbat service/celebration. B'nai Mitzvah students have the option of participating in the adult Torah Study or with Reb Nadya and the younger children. Youth Group:Pardes Levavot offers a once a month get-together to build relationships within our youth community. Activities include informal gatherings at our shul, a night at the movies, or whatever our creative youths dream up to have fun. We also encourage and support them to interact with the larger Jewish community and to embrace community service. LOCATIONPardes Levavot is blessed with a beautiful space shared with Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Gunbarrel. This space offers us the opportunity for community to come together for services, study and fun. We are located at 7077 Harvest Road, near 71st and Lookout Rd in Gunbarrel. CALENDAROur family education program runs from September through May, and includes the following.Torah Study:
Family Middot and Holiday sessions:
B'nai Mitzvah and parent preparation:
Hebrew Language:
REGISTRATIONIf you have any questions, we welcome your call. For more information regarding the program please contact: Janet Joyce (303) 579-3345 or Sylvia Fibich (303) 652-8875. We look forward to a new and exciting year. To enroll, please complete the Pardes Levavot family education registration form and mail to: Pardes Levavot
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