Havurah: Experiential Jewish Learning
Havurah: Experiential Jewish Learning Pre-K to Grade 2
Register for Fall 2024!
In Person. Havurah's 8-week sessions are designed to embrace Jewish culture and traditions through interactive, project-based learning. Studying Jewish holidays, Hebrew language, Torah stories, community service opportunities, and exploration of Jewish identity are significant parts of every child’s Havurah experience. Each semester culminates in an immersive Jewish family experience to showcase their projects.
For more information, please contact Rachel Alter (ralter@mmjccm.org).
Please click the button below to see our policies for children's classes.
Sign up for all four learning experiences or pick a la carte:
- Join 2 sessions: $50 discount
- Join 3 sessions: $75 discount
- Join all four sessions: $150 discount
Please email the Program Director at ralter@mmjccm.org to add this discount*
Havurah: Judaism Through Cooking and Food
This session invites children to explore Jewish culture through food, cooking, and baking. Children will learn about, cook, and taste different traditional Jewish foods worldwide and author a cookbook to share these recipes with family and friends. The semester will end with a potluck meal and celebration.
Havurah: Judaism Through Tikkun Olam and Community Service
Exploring one of the core values and tenets of Judaism, "Tikkun Olam" (Repairing the World), children will make meaning of their Jewish identities through community service and action projects. Instructors will guide children to choose a social cause important to them in their homes, schools, or communities and will facilitate action projects and activities to inspire social change. Some examples might include a Thanksgiving / Chanukah Drive, a neighborhood clean-up, or a partnership with a local organization. Family and friends will be invited to join their children in a culminating service project in partnership with the JCC’s Center for Social Responsibility.
Havurah: Judaism Through Storytelling and Book Making
Children will delve into Jewish stories from the Torah using creative and visual arts techniques to enhance their learning experience. Utilizing the important values and knowledge from these stories, they will be encouraged to make connections to and be inspired to connect them to their own lives. As a final project, they can write and illustrate their own personalized book based on the stories they've explored.
This session will end with an invitation to celebrate Jewish learning in partnership with the JCC’s Lambert Center for Arts + Ideas Books that Changed My Life Festival.
Havurah: Shabbat Show - A Jewish Theatrical Adventure
Children will learn together in this musical theater experience and co-create scenes based on Jewish stories and values. With guidance from professional artists and educators, the troupe will explore Jewish holidays and traditions passed through the generations and experiment with theatrical improv to create an original telling, setting their lyrics to famous tunes – often with a very comedic effect! The learning experience culminates in a performance and Kabbalat Shabbat celebration, during which the troupe will perform their show.
Friday Havurah Pickup for PS 87 + PS 199
Want to extend your child’s Friday? Our Jewish Enrichment program after school on Fridays offers pickup from PS 87 and PS 199 and a walk with a counselor back to the JCC. There, children will enjoy a snack, Jewish stories, and educational short films before beginning the program at 3:15 pm.
Please email Rachel Alter, Director of School Age Programs, at ralter@mmjccm.org with any questions.