|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
What is the Background and Orientation of Kol Shalom, Community for Humanistic Judaism?Kol Shalom has been affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism since 1993. Humanistic Jewish communities and congregations carry on Jewish traditions, culture, education and identity from a humanistic perspective (see Philosophy). We have an office and meeting space in Hillsdale. Our classes, larger shabbats and Sunday Forums meet at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. For Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, we meet at the West Hills Unitarian Fellowship. Currently Kol Shalom has about 70 individual and families in its membership.Back to top |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Why Jewish Education?In our transient society, having roots is more important than ever. Who are we? From what people and traditions did we come? Answers to these questions give us a valuable anchor in life. The Jewish people have a 3,000-year proud heritage which has contributed enormously to society.Advances made by Jews in science, law, medicine, and the humanities have been far out of proportion to the size of the Jewish population. We and our ancestors have been at the forefront of the battles for human rights and the betterment of society. Jewish education allows us to pass along this proud heritage to our children. In doing so we help to ground them as they mature and ensure that this valuable tradition will continue beyond us for the betterment of the world. Back to top |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Why Humanistic Jewish Education?Many of us are proud of our Jewish heritage and yet not comfortable with the God-language of traditional Jewish observances. Humanistic Jews believe that the core of Judaism is in its people, values, history and culture rather than in a deity. Whether there is a higher intelligence guiding the universe or not, we believe humans do not have access to any "divine revelation." We believe in the humanistic values so evident in our history, without reference to supernaturalism.With this philosophy as our basis, our educational goal is to present a full spectrum of Jewish traditions, culture, ethics and history, including the role of God in traditional Jewish belief. We do not teach prayers to God, the Bible as God-given, or laws and ethics as God-given. The Bible is part of our tremendous body of literature; the stories are the legends of our history and culture. We emphasize the great humanistic values of justice, fairness and personal ethical responsibility which are so evident in Jewish tradition from the early prophets such as Jeremiah and Isaiah, but also evidenced by Jews throughout history. By combining our humanistic orientation with a solid grounding in Jewish traditions, culture, ethics and history, we hope the students will take a realistic pride in their heritage. Whether as adults they choose a humanistic or a more traditional orientation, children completing our program will have a solid background in proud heritage of the Jewish people. Back to top |
||||||||||||||||||||||
What Classes are Offered? |
||||||||||||||||||||||
What are the Class Dates and Location for 2007-2008?Pre-school, aleph and bet classes meet twice a month, generally first and third Sundays from 10:00 AM - noon at Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy in SW Portland. Mitzvah classes meet once a month at the same location with some additional independent activities between meetings. Parents are encouraged to have students attend all classes. The schedule for the year is as follows:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
What is Taught in the Pre-school, Aleph and Bet classes?These classes emphasize a variety of hands on activities relating to Jewish holidays, music, culture, history and traditions. We also explore values and ethics, literature, art, drama, and introductory Hebrew. In addition, each year we focus on a particular topic such as mitzvot, Israel or Shabbat.The levels of the various activities are age appropriate and theme based. Many of our students participate actively in our Kol Shalom holiday celebrations. From the earliest classes we teach and model humanistic and Jewish values that promote a commitment to social justice, ethical living and community service. We create an environment that fosters pride on our Jewish connection. While we are a Jewish organization, we are sensitive to the fact that many of our members are intercultural families. Back to top |
||||||||||||||||||||||
What is Taught in the Mitzvah Classes?The Kol Shalom Mitzvah program involves two years of classes and activities. During the first year class is held once per month and outside activities are also done. Outside actives might include visiting other congregational services, the Jewish Museum, a Jewish themed movie, the Holocaust Memorial, etc. The same schedule applies to the second year. The first year class curriculum includes covering the history of the Jewish people from early Biblical times up to the creation of the state of Israel. Jewish traditions and customs are covered as well along with some Yiddish vocabulary. The second year class concentrates on ethics, community service and preparation for the mitzvah ceremony. The mitzvah ceremony is put on and presented by the family. Sometimes parents will join together for joint ceremonies with more than one child and other parents choose to have individual ceremonies. Kol Shalom has resources to help parents create and present an appropriate mitzvah ceremony. We can provide music and speakers but this requires that the child has successfully completed the requirements of the Kol Shalom Mitzvah Program (contact Children's Education Committee Chair for more details).Back to top |
||||||||||||||||||||||
What are Parent Responsibilities?Due to the limited amount of class time, the greatest responsibility for parents is to clear the kids' schedules so that they can attend all classes and then bring them prepared to class! Parents are welcome to stay for the Sunday Forum programs we offer on many of the class days. The Children's Education Committee welcomes parent participation. Parents may be called upon to help with snacks and to help with out of class activities (mitzvah program). Parents are always welcome to stay and observe classes.Back to top |
||||||||||||||||||||||
What are the Costs of Classes? Is Membership Required?Membership is required for students to be in our Mitzvah Program, including classes. Membership is not required for the pre-school, aleph and bet classes.Costs for the school year are: Pre-School, aleph and bet classes: non-members: First child $275 Second child $225 Registration Fee $25 members: First child $175 Second child $125 Mitvah Classes: (membership required): $300 Back to top |
||||||||||||||||||||||
What
Personnel are Involved with the Kol Shalom Children's Education
Program? Who Do I Contact for Further Information?
Our education program is overseen by the Children's Education Committee
of Kol Shalom. This committee sets policies and does the
hiring for our program. The program itself is administered
by a staff facilitator. Our teachers are generally members with
teaching experience. More information can be obtained from our
Children's Education Committee Chair, Dr. Walt Hellman
(hellmanw@gmail.com; 503-648-6361). Our Facilitator is
Marsha Cooper (cooper5560@comcast.net). |
Philosophy • Social Action • Organization • Songs CD • Useful Links
