Noam’s Family Programming Options
Noam has
programs available for families with children of all ages, at all times of
year.
Noam’s family
programs aim to bridge generations through games, activities and discussions
that have children and adults working, sharing and learning together. Goals of the programs are to facilitate
intergeneration communication, teach Jewish and environmental values, and
create a positive family learning experience.
It is hoped that through these experience families will be empowered to
make communal decisions on Judiac or environmental
choices for their homes.
Below is
a list of standard programming for two hour programming blocks. Contact Noam for longer programs, or to
develop a specialty program for your community. Noam also has a broad range of
special holiday programming including Tu B’shvat,
Shavuot, Sukkot, and Hanukah contact Noam for
information on one of these holidays.
Eitz Chayim
He – Trees, Earth, Torah and Family
The tree is used as a metaphor for both
the torah and our families, as well as being a keystone species in the
natural world. In this workshop,
families will work cooperatively to explore the ecological significance of
trees, and Jewish laws and ethics around trees, fruit, and sustainable
harvest. Utilizing these ecological and halachic principles, participants will explore why the
Torah is compared to a tree, why
families are compared to a tree, and what lessons can
be learned from these parallels.
Listen to the Birds and They Will Teach You.
Tradition teaches that if we had not received the Torah, we
could have learned all there is to know by studying the animals. In this workshop families will
collaboratively explore animal traits and their relationships to non human
animals and discover the interconnectedness of all life. In addition, families will learn about Jewish
laws and ethics around care for pets and explore how they relate to pets in
their own home.
Awe, Appreciation and Action: Inspiring Environmental and
Social Responsibility Through Gratitude
Inspiring wonder and teaching a child to appreciate is the
first goal of any Jewish educator or parent.
What better way that through the beauty, gifts and functions of the
natural world. “How Great are your
works Hashem, all have been Created in wisdom!” Using
Brachot (Blessings), games, stories and other
experiential programs, we will experience the wonders of Creation, explore
tools for appreciation and thanks, and discuss ways to give back to the
community
Here We are Different. Exploring
Family Prayer in our Natural Surroundings
Celebrate the glory of Creation and your families
role within it, by taking your prayer service outside. Utilizing the natural imagery embedded in
Jewish prayer, as well as stories, meditation, prayer activities and communal
sharing, participants will experience prayer, G-d and the natural world in a
whole new way. In addition, family
members will work together to explore the wonder of the natural world, write
their own prayers and celebrate their thanks for family.
Your Table as a Temple
Eating is a major family activity, which we engage in
communally all the time. What we choose
to consume and how we celebrate our communal meals, speaks volumes about our families
values, beliefs and connection to the Earth and each other. In this workshop we will explore the Jewish
and secular ethics related to food choices, and work together as a family to
build Jewish ritual and conscious food choices into our eating practices.
The Unnatural Jew, Exploring our Personal Connection to Land
How well do you know the geography of your home state or
country? Can you name the lakes, rivers,
mountains, valleys? Most Israelis can. In
this session we will explore our personal and family connection to our homelands
in the Diaspora and Israel. Families will explore their personal family
histories and work together to build an understanding of the families current land relationship.
Shabbat as a Weekly Environmental Holiday,
a Spiritual and Practical Guide to Shabbat Practice.
Shabbat dinners are one of the most common forms of Jewish activity. While this weekly holiday is a great
opportunity for community building or family bonding, Shabbat is also central
to Jewish values of personal and communal sustainability. In this workshop we will explore the Jewish
values of sustainability inherent in Shabbat and discuss ways to make your
communal Shabbat dinner more environmentally conscious.
For more information
on hiring Noam to teach in your community contact noam@noamdolgin.com
