TEVA (טבע) TRAVELERS
Experiential, Earth-based, Nourishing and Joyful Jewish Education
Kindergarten through B’ Mitzvah
For Children age 5-12 and their families
Come check out our unique approach to Jewish education!
Email joaniecalem@gmail.com for more information.
Philosophy:
Teva Travelers provides Jewish education for children of our membership and for other interested youth.
Educational tasks are designed so that students learn to connect their knowledge about Judaism with (a)
their daily lives, (b) family and community, (c) the natural world, and (d) world history. Instruction is
provided in a developmentally appropriate manner. Although educational activities are provided for
youth within the unique setting of the Teva Travelers program, the education of our youth is integrated
across numerous other Kehilat Sukkat Shalom activities, so that education is treated as a broad aspect
of Jewish life. Particular emphasis is placed on developing and valuing students’ appreciation of their
Jewish heritage and what it means in the context of their lives and enhancing delight in their uniqueness
and contributions to community.
Curriculum: Our curriculum always includes: Jewish history, diversity, values and ethics, Hebrew (Biblical/liturgical
and modern), Jewish approaches to spirituality, Israel (both Eretz Yisrael – the country of Israel, and Am
Yisrael – the People), and Torah.
Holiday and Shabbat Services:
Our learning extends beyond the classroom. Teva Traveler families are encouraged to view the larger
Kehilat Sukkat Shalom as part of the educational experience. In addition to our Rosh HaShanah and
Yom Kippur services, we encourage families to participate in kehilah-wide Shabbat and havdallah
services, Sukkot celebrations, the Tu B’Shvat seder, Pesach seder and many other events. To fully
participate in all community events, we encourage families to become members of Kehilat Sukkat
Shalom. Events will be in-person with a hybrid option in order to allow multiple ways
for families to participate.
Mitzvah Projects:
This year, unlike previous years, we will sprinkle our Mitzvah projects throughout the year. Students will
learn and engage with the important Jewish value of tikkun olam (mending the world). Along with other
members of Kehilat Sukkat Shalom, we will participate in local projects that make the world a better
place. Students are also encouraged to take on a mitzvah project during the year before their bar or bat
mitzvah and can invite the community to participate with them.
Teachers:
Local Jewish and music educator Joanie Calem has created musical experiences for Jewish families, pre-
school programs, and adult audiences since 1983, both in the US and in Israel. Fluent in both Hebrew and
English, Joanie lived in Israel for 23 years. Joanie sings traditional and original songs in Hebrew, Ladino,
Yiddish, and English, woven together with stories, dances and games from the international Jewish
family, incorporating movement, puppets, rhythm instruments and other surprises. Learn more about
Joanie at http://www.joaniecalem.com.
Our wonderful Hebrew teacher Lori Stan Sachs will join us again this year. Lori has over forty years
experience teaching in public, private, day schools, camps and supplemental schools. She loves to make
learning fun and engage her students through hands-on materials. Lori graduated from Ohio State
University with a BS in elementary education and a BA in Jewish studies. She is also a certified
Montessori teacher.
Jodi Kushins is a longtime lay leader in Kehilat Sukkat Shalom. Born and raised in the New York metro area, Jodi
spent many years deeply immersed in the Conservative movement, including more than a decade at Camp
Ramah in the Berkshires as a camper and staff member. She is a lifelong learner and passionate student of all
things involving Earth-based Judaism. Professionally, Jodi is a professor of art education for the University of
Florida (online) and an urban farmer at Over the Fence Urban Farm.
Parent Helpers: This year we will continue project-based learning with parent volunteers. Supportive participation on the first and third Sunday of each month can include guided exploration of Torah portions using content we provide from Hadar, and/or creative activities that invite further examination of the stories and adventures of the Torah or seasonal Jewish holiday. We will be recruiting parent volunteers to lead these projects. Joanie will contact everyone to establish an ongoing calendar.
Project Shutafut – Educational Bridge: For many years, Teva Travelers students have participated in an ongoing friendship with students in Rachel HaM’shoreret Elementary School in Kfar Saba, Israel. We meet once a month on a Sunday morning on Zoom for games, conversation, and getting-to-know-you opportunities.
Tuition and Fees:
Tuition for Teva Travelers students is included in Sukkat Shalom family membership dues.
(Non-Members are welcome to participate in Teva Travelers at the cost of $72/month – $864/year, per family.)
There is a materials fee of $36 per student.
Registration:
Sign up for Teva Travelers HERE.
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