Kesher Newton Jewish Community After School Program
Center in Newton Center, MA 02459
Kesher is a unique and creative Jewish educational community that provides excellence in Jewish and Hebrew learning on weekday afternoons. In a joy-filled, nurturing environment, we explore Jewish knowledge and cultivate a sense of community as our children grow to become proud, educated Jews.
The Kesher model began in Cambridge, at the Kesher Community Hebrew School After School. Now preparing for its 18th year, Kesher in Cambridge has been pioneering new modes of Jewish education and served as consultants to Kesher Newton in our first two years. Now the programs work together to develop the Kesher model.
Kesher Newton combines quality after school care with exciting, dynamic Hebrew and Jewish education. But to think of Kesher as a Hebrew school misses the qualities that make Kesher Newton special. Though Hebrew school and Jewish education are at the core of what Kesher does, since its beginning, Kesher has been a community. Kesher Newton addresses the growth of each child and each parent through a foundation of learning and a diversity of Jewish experiences with Jewish values at the core. The founders of Kesher Newton sought to bring the Kesher model to Newton because of the strong curricular reputation and warm community feeling that Kesher in Cambridge exemplies. Our community in Newton is growing to be a strong and vibrant center of Jewish learning and living for families and children. When prospective teachers, parents, and other visitors come to Kesher Newton, they notice how happy the kids are and how at home they feel. It is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon.
- Child Ages:
- 5 years - 12 years
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care
- Vouchers:
- This provider accepts vouchers
- Special Needs:
- Special needs experience/services
- Hours of Operation:
- Monday-Thursday 3:00 PM - 5:45 PM
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- Classroom Ratios
- Director and Teaching Staff Bios
- Course and Teaching Material
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Kesher has a holistic view of Jewish education. We believe that creating a heimish, warm, environment based in Jewish values is critical to the foundation of all Jewish learning. Children, parents, and teachers feel that they are known and valued and that we each contribute to creating a vibrant community of learning. Keshers philosophy is based on the belief that we each have a place in our Jewish history and that we are each responsible for our Jewish future. We teach children to be actively present in their Jewish lives.
The Kesher model offers an approach to Jewish education that is tangible, alive and connected to our lives today. Kesher is a program where kids and families are excited to attend, and they joyfully speak about the impact Kesher has in their daily lives. The Kesher model centers on the learner. Our approach is flexible, allowing for a range of modes through which one can learn and a range of abilities in each classroom. Teacher interests and strengths are reflected throughout the curriculum.
We emphasize community building through the practice of kavod, respect, in all aspects of our lives respect for oneself, for others, and for the environment and space that we share and in which we live and learn. The children are recognized and acknowledged by their teachers and their peers for acts of Kavod. Kavod is a cornerstone at Kesher from which all the curriculum is built.
At the beginning of each year, every group of children in Kesher creates a brit , contract or agreement, centered on kavodthis brit, steeped in Jewish values, serves as a guide that supports what we learn. The brit helps Kesher students and tsevet (staff) navigate together as a Jewish community. When you come to visit Kesher you see classrooms with walls decorated with childrens work that reflects the current Judaica and Hebrew unitsHebrew and childrens work is everywhere! You smell the traditional foods for upcoming holidays, and hear and sing songs of the season, period in history or tfillot, prayer. You might listen to or watch the dramatic presentation of a specific time in history or holiday story. You will find resources available for adults and families to read and borrow. You will experience the ruach (spirit) of a truly wonderful community of learners!
