As it says in our Mission Statement, "we seek the challenge of building our own traditions within the broadest parameters of Judaism"—and that requires us to explore and understand the many traditions of Jewish practice, from Orthodoxy to Reform, from Ashkenazi to Sephardi and Mizrahi, from literal understanding of texts to midrashic and Kabbalistic interpretation of texts. Moreover, we often offer secular educational programs that are simply of interest to inquiring minds.
Our programs for children and teens have been designed to teach a Jewish curriculum that builds from year to year as the kids grow in their knowledge, skills, and maturity.
The early years are grouped as "Youth Education," which starts with parent/tot classes, moves along to Family Education for Kindergarteners and First Graders, and then on to twice/week schooling for children in grades 2-7.
Typically in 7th Grade, schooling in the Youth Ed program overlaps with Bar/t Mitzvah.in addition to learning to lead prayers by attending services, the Bar/t Mitzvah Family Class is designed for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah child and her/his parent(s) to learn many of the specific concepts and skills that will let them get the most out of their Bar/t Mitzvah service. Our unique program provides both this educational support for the family, as well as a way for all the families in any given year to get to know each other as they prepare for the child's transition to Jewish adulthood.
After Bar/t Mitzvah, our 8th graders and high schoolers have programs that are geared for the interests and concerns of kids that age. Both have a heavy "social" element, but in a context of classes and discussion of Jewish topics. The 8th Grade program is taught at Etz Chayim, while 9th-12th graders are invited to join the Etz Chayim Youth Group.
While some of our adult education programs are on secular topics of interest to open and inquiring minds, most of our adult education topics focus on Jewish culture, philosophy, history, or religious texts or practice.
These sessions are designed to be informative and enriching regardless of one's depth of Jewish knowledge. (If a program assumes a certain level of background knowledge—or if it is particularly geared toward those with less grounding—this will be noted in the event's description.)
