Children, Youth and Families

Ulpan Showcase-Arts and Sports is a brand-new initiative here at Beth Tzedec. For students who attend the CJA or Akiva this is an opportunity to take their language learning to the next level as they get to use it for organized creative expression and sports.

One of the reasons for developing this program was already discussed in the previous email: it becomes one way to intertwine those who do not go to Jewish day school with those who do and create community.

Here are two other reasons why the Ulpan inspired programs are important:

First, if Beth Tzedec wants more kids and families to come to shul on Saturdays, then we have to start thinking of ways to free up the schedules parents have for Saturdays that take them away from Shul. It is a sad truth but most secular programming occurs on Saturday. Many choose not to come to services on Saturday because of the secular programs/activities their children are in. By providing programming options on Sunday it is possible that this may allow parents to create a vacancy in their Saturday morning routine and then be able to come to Services with the family.

The other side of this coin is that without youth and children in the pews, shul is not seen as an “enriching program” for the family. By creating space for parents to bring their children to shul on Saturdays without sacrificing the programming they could otherwise get could slowly over time change this.

Second, learning Hebrew is not just good for when it comes time to perform one’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah, but learning another language – according to philosopher Hans Georg Gadamer – opens a person up to being able to learn more in general. Why? Because every language exposes its user to particular functions and experiences that are not captured in other languages – and so with another language is there more to the world to learn, and more to learn in general.

Along these lines about the value of learning a language there is also that:

• Learning Hebrew makes us a part of an incredibly rare success story. Hebrew, by all accounts should have perished long ago, but the fact that it is healthier than ever is a modern day miracle. Learning Hebrew adds to this success and pride.
• Learning Hebrew puts us in touch with the culture that emanates from that – the sense of humour, the wit, the people.
• Learning and using language opens doors socially and is a huge boost for self-confidence.

 

With the rationale being provided above, I now describe the general structure of the two Ulpans below:

 

ULPAN SHOWCASE-ARTS

This program will be student centred driven, meaning a few different things. First, the precise nature of the presentation/performance will be defined by the students. Children have different comfort levels in terms of performing in front of a live audiences. We need to cater to the possibility that an art exhibition, song-writing, and story writing /script writing may be more in the comfort range of these children – especially for the first year.

Whatever the form of presentation, the manner in which it will be developed will also be based on what is most pressing for the children. In other words, we will focus on something that means something to them, and build out a performance/exhibition from there incorporating Hebrew where ever it is most meaningful and impactful to do so.

 

ULPAN SPORTS

This program will be anchored by soccer but will include other sports such as baseball, Gaga, and possible even Tennis. When the weather permits, the program will take place on the CJA field, and when it does not we will use the social halls -modifying the equipment used so that it doesn’t damage the interiors.

The general format for the program will be the first 20 – 30 minutes of drills where the functional words for the drills will be in Hebrew. When the time comes to transition from drills to the actual game, the children will be expected (and reminded) to use Hebrew as much as possible.

INSTRUCTORS

We are currently in talks with a variety of instructors, some of whom are from Israel and have coaching and arts directing experience.

IN SUM, the Ulpan program is part of the revitalizing initiative here at the Beth Tzedec as well as an opportunity for our Beth Tzedec and Calgary Jewish communities to integrate and gain a vital cultural skill that will have lifelong benefits.

For more information contact the Beth Tzedec office at 403-255-8688 or info@bethtzedec.ca.

Why is this Shul School different from all other Shul Schools? There are four answers to this question.

First – Shul School 2.0 is going beyond the four walls of the conventional Shul School Classroom. In fact the entire downstairs is now Shul School with some pretty neat ideas in the works. For example, remember all those Sukkahs that U of C were commissioned to build? I’ve looked at their architecture and I can repurpose them as module centers for various parts of the Bible – one sukkah will be art, the other sukkah clay, the other sukkah puppetry – at the same time each one has interactive story telling capabilities by acting as scenes in which to tell the biblical stories. So that is one way that Shul School is different.

The second way that Shul School warrants the 2.0 is the very intentional nature of the curriculum. The entire curriculum is designed around the students being able to answer the question: Where do I fit into the Jewish story? This means not only being taught the story of the Jewish story but connecting up with Jewish people from as widespread a denominational account as possible. This will be provided through a program that Shul School funnels into called Ulpan Showcase-Arts/ Sports, which be addressed briefly later on.

The third way that Shul School differs from conventional shul schools is the play-based learning that is the main focus. If enough students register, then we will be able to split into two streams otherwise the programs will be amalgamated. The Arts stream will focus more on crafts and expressive arts (singing, dancing) to deliver the curriculum. The Games stream will focus more on problem solving, adventure activities to deliver the same curriculum. Scavenger hunts, giant puzzles, adventure walks, are all part of the experience in this.

The curriculum however is very much what one would think of for Shul School. The Jewish stories-history, the Jewish holidays, the Jewish traditions, and Hebrew will be taught. There will be a component for prayer and blessing however this will take a back seat this year, and will likely rotate into prominent place in subsequent years when the curricula rotate through their intended 3 year cycle.  This year the curriculum focuses on the question: Year 1 – Where do I fit into the Jewish Story? Year 2 – What does it mean to be Jewish (e.g. a focused look at the natural fit of the Jewish holidays to understand how Judaism is indigenous to Israel); Year 3 – How to craft a Jewish life (experiential education on values e.g. generosity, modesty, etc.). The idea is that curricula will cover all the elements with varying degrees of emphasis.

The fourth way that Shul School differs is the intentionality around socially connecting Shul School students who do not attend Jewish day school with students who do go to CJA and Akiva. This integration allows children and parents to interweave their social networks and provide a community feeling. The Ulpan Showcase and Sports is specifically designed to meet this purpose. Language is naturally used in action, and so through the action that Creative Arts and Sports provides the hope is that this will help the students develop a conversational competence in Hebrew. The hope being that Jewish day school students and Shul School students will mix and create new social networks that will solidify their community connections. Shul School which starts at 9:30 am to 12 will transition over to this Ulpan program at 11a.m.

So, this is the Shul School program.

For more information contact the Beth Tzedec office at 403-255-8688 or info@bethtzedec.ca.

Start your Shabbat off right with Family Shabbat dinner at Beth Tzedec, filled with ruach (spirit) and kehilah (community). Join us at 5:30pm for an interactive Shabbat-inspired program with singing, games and stories. Then, enjoy a shul-cooked dinner together with all your friends at 6:00pm.

For more information, contact the Beth Tzedec office at 403-255-8688 or info@bethtzedec.ca.

Homework Club offers students in grades 1-6 a chance to work on schoolwork in a relaxed, supportive space with the help of older students and mentors. Snacks will be provided, as well as fun activities to participate in with friends, once homework is done! The program is co-led by Engagement Director Jonah Potasznik and Education Director Ari Cohen.

For more information, contact the Beth Tzedec office at 403-255-8688 or info@bethtzedec.ca.