Shabbaton

City: Los Altos Hills, CA

Auspice/Sponsorship: Congregation Beth Am 

Contact Information: Rabbi Jennifer Clayman, rabbi_clayman@betham.org

Website: http://www.betham.org/learning/youth/shabbaton

Year Established: 1994

Category:

What are the goals of the program?

• Provide a nurturing and engaging environment in which high quality, relevant content stimulates all family members to pursue a path of lifelong Jewish learning and living. 
• Our objectives are to:
•  1. Build community, expanding Jewish friendships for parents and children 
•  2. Build and foster Jewish identity in parents and children 
•  3. Help parents and children feel pride and joy about living Jewishly and feeling competent in their practice of Judaism 
•  4. Help families feel comfortable at Beth Am 
•  5. Provide a meaningful Shabbat experience 
•  6. Increase parents' and children's knowledge and understanding of Judaism, Jewish history, thought, practice, music and culture 
•  7. Provide a foundation and motivation for all participants to advance their Jewish development

When does the program meet?

• 2.5 hours on Shabbat afternoons plus 2 hours of Hebrew instruction on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons for grades 3-5, in which they join the students who attend religious school on Sundays through out Hagigah Theater Program

What topics are covered in the Shabbaton program?

Shabbaton is an independent religious school program. Shabbaton’s curriculum and program are not parallel to the Sunday Judaica program, however over the course of a student’s participation in Shabbaton they will cover the same topics. We have a six-year cycle of curricula: 1. Parshat HaShavua 2. Life cycle/Jewish home/Jewish identity 3. Middot/Mitzvot/Ethics 4. Parshat HaShavua 5. Holidays/Prayers 6. Israel

What is the methodology of the program?

Modeling lifelong learning for our children, conducting the program on Shabbat, incorporating Shabbat practices and rituals, Torah Study, singing Jewish songs, Havdallah, providing a setting for learning both as families and in age-appropriate groups, supporting opportunities for families and individuals to interact outside the classroom, balancing cognitive and effective teaching and learning, helping parents, children and families teach each other. The program time is divided into whole-group activities, "Mishpacha" group activities involving groups of 8-10 families, and concurrent separate classes for adults and children

Where does the program meet?

Shabbaton utilizes a variety of spaces on the Beth Am campus: Large Space: Beit Kehillah, a multi-purpose room designed and built with Shabbaton's needs in mind is used for all group singing, praying, Havdalah and adult only learning. Before this room was built, these activities took place in the sanctuary – a space that was too large and not flexible enough for maximum effectiveness. Social Hall is sometimes used for some of the whole group activities or potlucks. Classrooms: Large, flexible-space rooms were built with Shabbaton’s family education needs in mind. Family groups have between 16 – 35 people per class. The older, smaller classrooms cannot accommodate that many people. Smaller classrooms are used for child-only kitot and classes frequently use the art room. Break-off class rooms from Beit Kehillah can be used for adult-only study groups.

Who are the teachers?

Shabbaton teachers include: congregants, Shabbaton parents, public school teachers, young adults and Stanford graduate students. Teachers are hired based on their knowledge about and passion for Jewish living, skill and experience in the classroom, ability to teach multiple age-groups simultaneously, and their willingness to commit to the Shabbaton schedule. Madrichim are high school students who assist in family groups and child-only classes.

Who are the learners?

Self-selecting group of families with children in grades Pre-K to 5 who are interested in family learning.

How is the program evaluated?

Generally we circulate an end-of-the-year survey to participants.