Youth and Family Programs

    Our Mission Statement begins by saying Kol HaLev is a learning community spanning and bridging generations. We offer many opportunities for our member families and our youth, ranging from the education program to our retreats. These programs work to encourage learning, believing and a sense of belonging.
    • One of the ways we help educate our youth about Jewish life is through our Hagiga education program for school-age youth. Hagiga is for both day school and non-day school kids from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Hagiga programs take place on the first and third Shabbats of each month. They focus on experiential learning and building a love of Judaism in the next generation.
       
    • Also on the first and third Shabbats of the month, for the youngest members of our community, pre-kindergarten and younger, we have babysitting and a fun activity called Tot Shabbat. (Updated March 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of our programs and services are being held online. As such, babysitting is unavailable.)
       
    • Children participate in some Shabbat services, to give them an idea of what the service is like.
       
    • To welcome our first graders into learning with our community, we hold a Haggigat Limud (celebration of learning) each year on Tu B’Shevat. In June, we hold a Senior Siyum to honor our graduating seniors.
       
    • Outside of our Shabbat programs, we offer opportunities including multi-generational retreats. We feel that it is very important that our youth and our adult communities feel connected, and the retreats provide an ideal social and educational setting.
       
    • Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Kol HaLev is a series of experiences, many as part of a cohort that meets regularly with Rabbi Steve. It helps our children (and often their parents too) prepare spiritually and mentally for the upcoming passage. Members who have previously been through the process are available for Bar/Bat Mitzvah event advice, and each cohort works together to provide volunteer support during the events.
       
    • For children who need it, we offer a Hebrew tutoring program under our Education Director's supervision. This is paid for separately by the parents. Group or individual tutoring can be arranged. Torah trope tutoring is available on the same basis for b’nai mitzvah students.
       
    • Our celebrations of holidays such as Purim, Sukkot and Simchat Torah are multi-generational or include youth programming. Our High Holy Days include special programs for children and youth.
       
    • Families of elementary youth also work together to provide occasional school-age social programming for kids and their families. Teens have youth group activities: Shoreshim for grades 6-8 and Nachal for grades 9-12.
       
    • Attending the Reconstructionist movement's acclaimed overnight camps, Havaya and Havaya Arts is a wonderful way for kids to build a love of Judaism and Reconstructionism, while forging friendships that can last a lifetime.
       
    • We encourage the participation of our post-Bnai Mitzvah students as leaders in various aspects of our community. They help lead services and read from the Torah, help with Hagiga programs, join in our holiday celebrations and our Tikkun Olam work, and even serve on our Youth and Family Education Committee. Such experiences can help guide and strengthen their Jewish lives.
    For more on our website, see our Values/Mission statement and our pages on Reconstructionism, Hagiga, and our Bar/Bat Mitzvah policy.
     
    For more on the Reconstructionist movement camping experiences, please visit the Havaya Summer Programs website.
     
    To learn more about these programs, please contact Robyn Novick, our Youth and Family Education Director, at the Kol HaLev office.

     

    For more information, read this PDF:
    PRINCIPLES GOVERNING OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

    Related forms:

    AttachmentSize
    BarBat Mitzvah Annual Checklist 2016-2017.pdf457.93 KB