Pardes Levavot Family Education for 2006/2007

Go ahead. Don't be afraid to ask.

Are you looking for meaningful Jewish education for yourself and your children which will engage your whole family?

Do you want to integrate Jewish family values into your family's everyday life?

Do you want your children to enjoy deep spiritual connections with the practice of Judaism in the company of a supportive and active Jewish community?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, Pardes Levavot would like to invite you to learn more about our Circle of Family Education Program.

(Photos on this page show Family Education kids on a "blessings" hike around Coot Lake, October 2006.)

Where does the circle begin?

Founded on the Torah principle, V'Shinantam l'vanecha, "and you shall teach your children," the Pardes Levavot Circle of Family Education program includes the parents, as well as children ages four years old to teens in the educational process and provides encouragement and material support for parents to continue educating the child in the home. Pardes Levavot 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 offers:

• Concurrent adult and children's study with hands-on family learning activities each month

• Jewish Holiday study and activities

• Practice and exploration of Shabbat prayer and services

• Bi-monthly children's Torah study groups

• Comprehensive B'nai Mitzvah preparation which encourages each individual family to create a personalized and meaningful celebration

• Support for families beginning Jewish study or returning to Jewish family life

• Non-members of Pardes Levavot, multi-faith families, adults and college students are welcome!

How does the Circle Work?

Pardes Levavot offers a full seven-year rotating curriculum which families can join in at any time. During 2005 and 2006 we learned and practiced Jewish Values (Midot) including Tzedakah and Eco-Kashrut.

For the 2006/2007 year, we will be learning and growing with The Jewish Liturgical Cycle and Life Rituals in the Jewish Home. During this upcoming two-year period, we will learn how to make Shabbat and Jewish holiday rituals fun and meaningful for the entire family.

Upcoming topics for the remaining years of the cycle will include a study of Jewish history and culture with interactive family projects and Torah study from the unique and contemporary perspective of Jewish Renewal.

We are also excited to be offering for the first time a Hebrew language introduction for young learners, ages 5-8, through song, stories and arts.

Also new for this coming year - we will meet twice monthly, one time with the whole family, and one time for the children to learn and play together with song, stories, crafts and activities devoted to the study for the month.

At the end of the school year we will also participate in a community Circle of Family Education Program Shabbat retreat.

Cost: We strive to keep our family education program affordable, with the goal of providing the highest quality Jewish education for your family with experienced and creative teachers. For 2007 enrollment information and fee schedules, please download our Family Education Registration Form for 2006-2007. Financial assistance is considered on an individual basis.

Circle of Family Education Classes
begin Saturday, September 9, 2006 and run
through Saturday, May 12, 2007

Two Saturdays a month - See Specific Dates Below
Location: Pardes Levavot

(1^st monthly meeting will be followed by a Havdalah service and communal vegetarian potluck meal).

Here's what the families want to share:

“Pardes Levavot is much more than Torah study and classroom learning. The Family Program helped my family come together and spend time learning Jewish values in a fun and interesting environment. We built the sukkah, made clay mizuzot, studied composting, and learned about healing our world. And we did it together!”

—Fred Berkelhammer

“I was looking for something more than ‘drop-off’ Jewish education for my children. Pardes Levavot has given us the tools to work together as a family to have fun learning Jewish values. We found a great community and we got to participate in creating our program and our experience.”

—Liz Stewart

“What I like about the Family Program is that it's not just for the children. We spent time as adults looking deeper into the meaning of Jewish values. It gave me insights into how to apply these values in my daily life.”

—Tom Yulsman

“I cannot fully describe the deep joy I experience as my family learns in this community. Our children look forward to the fun activities and ways in which they are engaged and I savor the time Rebs Victor and Nadya take in allowing us to fully explore the different facets of Judaism. The family education program has enriched our experience of being a Jewish family.”

—Lisa Trank

"I really like the Family Education Program because I get to hang out with my friends and my family and learn Jewish Values at the same time. We learned about how to treat the environment, and how to be kind to others, how not to gossip, and how important it is to help those less fortunate than ourselves. I incorporate the ideas into my everyday life and it's made me feel like a better person.”

—Rachel Joyce (age 12)

For more information:

If you would like more information on the Pardes Levavot Circle of Family Education Program, or have any questions, please call (303) 563-2110 or email education@pardeslevavot.org.

Directions to our synagogue.

Family Education Registration Form for 2006-2007. Download this form, fill it out, and mail it back to:

Circle of Family Education Dates:

You can also find Pardes Levavot events in our calendar.