Nitzanim Family Experiential Learning
Congregation Ner Shalom, 85 La Plaza, Cotati, CA 94931
- Nature
- Faith-based
Availability!
Our Program
Family Experiential Learning at Nitzanim is a rich and exciting offering. It is a kind of pop-up Jewish village that offers an opportunity for families to deepen in Jewish experience and learning through song, prayer, nature, art, story, mysticism, movement, text and discussion. Through the Nitzanim program, we nourish our families so they can blossom and draw sustenance from Judaism’s deep, deep roots.
Our nature-inspired program will take place monthly during the school year on Sundays (with the exception of the month of October when we will instead celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). Our gatherings will unfold, weather permitting, in nature, to better explore how Judaism’s holy days and spiritual practices grow out of the cycle of the seasons themselves.
Together we will learn Jewish texts (Torah) by grounding them in our bodies and lofting them into our imaginations. Our invitation is for the learning to continue after each event, as families bring the information and the excitement home with them. Nitzanim Family Experiential Learning also allows our kids to be held inter-generationally – in community with parents, professionals, senior volunteers from Ner Shalom, and a wide range of child ages.
WHAT WE DO
Activate our imaginations through nature connection and story.Celebrate Jewish holidays in unorthodox ways that expand well beyond synagogue walls.Jewish Education that renews and supersedes the Sunday school experience.Year round cohort experience that provides the whole family with Jewish community.Gain knowledge and intimacy with the land around us, while awakening ancient Jewish wisdom and memory. Connect to earth as we connect to Jewish experience, and learn to read the land as if we were reading Torah.
WHO WE ARE
The Nitzanim community comprises a group of families interested in finding new ways of holding the wisdom and practices of Judaism in the context of their diverse and varied lives. Many of our families are interfaith, many are queer, some come from strongly rooted Jewish backgrounds, some are exploring their Judaism for the first time. Our families share a love of nature, ancient wisdom, creative expression, and meaningful practice. Many Nitzanim families are members of Congregation Ner Shalom, but membership is not required for participation in Nitzanim Family Experiential Learning. It is important to us that Nitzanim be accessible to you, regardless of where you are in your Jewish and Jewish community journey, and that Jewish community be available to your children from the time they are born.
Tuition Info:
Early Bird Registration: Receive $50 off/program through August 1st!
Early Bird Tuition:
Ner Shalom Members: $700.00
Non-Members: $800.00
Regular Tuition:
Ner Shalom Members: $750.00
Non-Members: $850.00
Families who have students enrolled in B.Mitzvah Academy, can register for Family Learning Experience at half price.
Safety
- Staff is First Aid Certified
- Employee Background Checks
- Carries Liability Insurance
Policies
If you notify us at least 2 weeks in advance, we can process a full refund, deducting a 15% cancellation fee. Refunds will not be possible with less than 2 weeks' notice.
Location
Nitzanim @ Congregation Ner Shalom
Ner Shalom’s Nitzanim Program is here to meet your family’s learning needs. We do that through family-wide experiential learning (usually in nature), Hebrew study, B.Mitzvah preparation, and Torah Lishmah, our post-B.Mitzvah Academy class. These program components complement and support each other. Under the leadership of Youth & Families Education Director, Mia Zimman, and with the involvement of Rabbi Irwin and a skilled faculty, we look forward to helping your family enrich your sense of Jewish values, connection, literacy, and practice.