A commitment to continuing Jewish education as a life-long pursuit is an important part of Reconstructionist Judaism. At Congregation Dor Hadash, we provide many opportunities through our Gesher school with its parent programs, through our havurot, and through a number of classes, speakers, and workshop programs.

Child Education

Gesher School
Our school is called The Gesher (Bridge) School since that is the core vision of our program. We build bridges to our past and to our future. The educational journey for a young person in our community is one that demands life-long learning, and the enthusiasm which permeates our classrooms shows that the path we follow truly works. As Reconstructionists, we believe that Judaism is an evolving religious civilization and we are connected both to the past and to a vibrant and meaningful future. We teach our ancient texts, but we believe that Torah is a living document. Along with Pirke Avot, our students study the Chasidic masters as well as contemporary writings. We believe that our students must learn why we observe our rituals as well as how, so that ritual has meaning in their lives. We teach all the basics, but we also teach understanding, since blind obedience to observance leads to boredom and then to no observance at all. The most important bridge we build, however, is between student and parent, and we do that with a program that has become nationally recognized for its cutting edge approach to contemporary Jewish education. Our parents and students study together a minimum of seven times a year in a framework designed to open dialogue about the big questions and take religion out of the sanctuary and into their daily lives. This is what makes the Gesher Program so very special!

Questions and Answers About the Program

Whom do we serve?
Jewish children and their families from age 4 through high school. Interfaith families are wholeheartedly welcome!

When do we meet?
At the current time our youngest students meet twice a month on Sundays in a parent-child setting. Mid-range students study for two hours on Sunday and our oldest students meet for three hours. In addition, older students engage in 30 hours of guided independent learning over the course of the year. The B'nai Mitzvah year requires a commitment to classes three times a week for service preparation and Hebrew study. Our students have the unique opportunity to study in depth with our Rabbi weekly for the entire academic year.

What does the Parent class require of "grownups"?
When a child enrolls in the Gesher program the parent enrolls as well. This year parent/child classes are being expanded with the addition of three new all-school learning days increasing to ten the number of days parents will have the opportunity to study with their children. This component of our program is its soul. We think that once you have experienced it you will never think of Jewish education in the same way again.

How do I find out more?
View Parent Handbook. Contact the office to request information through the mail, or set up an appointment to meet with our Education Director, Katey Pianko (858-268-3674).

Teen Education

Ha Bonim [the Builders]
Ha Bonim is designed for eighth thru twelfth grade students. New and really innovative programming is in place for this year's HaBonim class. Take a look and register your teen!

Barbara Carr, Evan Adelson, Mark Stover and John Evans will be co-teaching HaBonim. Class will meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. in the Library on the dates listed below.

Please email Katey Pianko, Ed Director if you would like to register. Her email is eddirector {at} dorhadash.org (please put in proper email format). Also, download the two Gesher School forms, fill them out and send them in and you'll be ready for the first session!

Barbara Carr
September 16, 30; October 14, 28
Who is My God? Where Did She Come From? How Can I Pray if I’m not Sure She’s There?: A Personal Exploration of the God Idea.

Evan Adelson
November 11; December 2, 16; February 3
Groucho Marxists: The American Jewish Experience Revealed through Jewish Humor

Mark Stover
February 10, 24; March 9, 30
Jewish Perspectives on War

John Evans
May 4
The Sociology of the Interfaith Family

May 18
Who Are These Christians? The Variety of Christians from the Jewish Jesus to the Present

June 1
Politics and Religion: Are All Christians Right Wing Republicans and All Jews Liberal Democrats?

Teen Torah Program
This is a program for teenagers past the age of 13 who were unable to pursue traditional Jewish educational opportunities and who have not had the opportunity to study Jewishly but now wish to do so. This is an especially successful program for teenagers in interfaith families. Year One of the program is a generalized survey of Jewish education and Year Two is focused on the Shabbat Service, service leadership and Torah reading. If anyone knows families who may be interested or are interested themselves, contact the Education Director, Katey Pianko, at 858-268-3674. A minimum of five students is required.

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Adult Education
Please verify dates and times in advance
currently being updated for the new year

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
La'asoke B'Divrei Torah: Soaking up Words of Torah
Start your Shabbat morning with Neshama Minyan, a contemplative chanting service at 9:15 am. Torah Study follows at 10 am and is a free drop-in class for people at all levels of Jewish learning to come together for a Shabbat experience of study and conversation. We read from the Torah portion of the week (in English), discussing many related issues as questions arise. Our approach is very open to a wide range of opinions. We take a non-literalist, non-supernatural view of
sacred text. Your participation is welcome. Knowledge of Hebrew is not required. Beginners are welcome. You may bring your own text for comparison.

Ekra – Guided Spiritual Growth
Lecha Adonai Ekra – To you God I call out.

Following the Torah portion for the week, Ekra is a weekly workshop for personal, spiritual growth through Jewish practice, utilizing meditation, journaling, the creative arts and discussion.

Neshama Minyan
Start your Shabbat morning with Neshama Minyan, a contemplative chanting service whenever there is not a Shabbat morning service.

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HEBREW
Learn Hebrew with other parents
Congregation Dor Hadash parent and Hebrew enthusiast, Naomi Jensen, teaches this free beginners' reading and conversational Hebrew class for Gesher School parents and others who would like to join in.

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Leyning in the Fast Lane: Learn How to Chant Torah with the Best of 'em
Have you ever wanted to chant the lilting melodic phrases used when reading from the Torah? Would you like to chant Torah at your child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah? The six week introductory course will explore the melodies assigned to each of the symbols (trope marks) found above and below words of Torah. Join us as we learn to chant the lashon kodesh (the sacred language) of the Torah. Recognition of Hebrew letters and vowels is required. All supplies (trope discs, sheet music, etc.) provided.

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JEWISH, ALIVE & AMERICAN
October 2007 - May 2008
The course is for Jews an non-Jews of all (adult) ages and backgrounds who want to learn about Judaism in a stimulating and non-threatening environment. Designed by the Reconstrucdtionist Rabbinical College, JA&A confronts the challenges of Judaism in an environment where participants can ask questions about everything from ultimate meaning to mundane day-to-day practices. It provides an introduction to living a fulfilling Jewish life in contemporary Ameica with in-depth seminars devoted to the study of holidays, life-cycle and Shabbat rituals, theology, prayer, the Jewish home, Israel, Jewish law, mysticism (Kabbalah) and more.

This course gives you the information and the room you need to make informed decisions about your own Jewish commitment and belief. It increases your comfort level with Jewish pracctice. No previous knowledge of Judaism is required. Basic hands-on Jewish skills are taught. Excellent for newlyweds, intermarried parents, those considering conversion.

Holly Baumann has taught this upbeat and fun course for many years at Dor Hadash. Holly also served as chair of our Ritual Committee for 10 years and continues to serve as gabbai. She brings a personl, joyous perspective to the material.

LIFE LONG LEARNING
Reconstructionism 101
Are you searching for a spiritual home? Perhaps Reconstructionism is for you. The fourth of the main strands of Judaism, Reconstructionism provides a living theology to which many are drawn. We will delve into the teachings of Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan, the founder of the movement, study the movement's historical development and philosophy, and explore the basics of process and values-oriented post-modern evolving Judaism.

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