CJC Kids
CJC is an intergenerational community and we strive to offer fun and educational experiences for the kids in our community. We offer intergenerational programming for High Holidays, Chanukah, and Purim, among other holidays and events. During adult-oriented programming, we provide toys and crafts for children to engage with, and strive to offer childcare via our volunteer based childcare co-op whenever possible (read more here).
Our flagship kids education program is Neshama B’Teva, “Soul in Nature,” which meets monthly during the school year (more info below). We hope to add Hebrew and other kids educational programming in the future.
Please reach out to Rabbi Miriam (rabbi AT clevelandjewishcollective DOT org) or Laurel (laurelsimkoff AT gmail DOT com) with any questions related to children’s programming.
Neshama B’Teva begins October 11th and registration is now open!
Limited spaces are available for non-members.
Neshama B’Teva is our experiential nature-based kids education program, joint with Kol HaLev. We invite children from babies to teens to join us for our monthly mini-retreats, as we explore holistic, natural themes in relation to our Jewish selves, and most importantly have fun through outdoor exploration, music, movement, stories, cooking, and more!
This program is led by experienced outdoor Jewish educator Laurel Simkoff, Rabbi Miriam Geronimus, and Rabbi Steve Segar from Kol HaLev, alongside teen and adult volunteers from both communities. Each month, we offer several workshops and children have the option to participate in as many workshops as they are interested in and/or freely explore the open-ended materials we make available. By encouraging self-directed exploration and offering a fun retreat experience, we hope to inspire meaningful and lasting connections to each other and Judaism.
Children explore Jewish themes using avenues such as Torah passages and poetry, lively storytelling, songs, holiday-specific activities, cooking projects, and more. They also engage in regular Tikkun Olam-focused projects to encourage engagement with and care for the broader community.
Outdoor exploration is a major part of the program, and children are invited to adventure around the nature center property alongside an experienced Outdoor Education Specialist. They will engage in fort-building, creek-walking, observation of local flora and fauna, and more! So make sure they’re dressed for the weather (you’ll receive a handbook with more information on this after you’ve registered).
Children 5 and under will need a parent or caregiver present. They may also need a shorter day, and we’ll support your decision about how long your pre-school-age child should stay at the retreat. Lunch, which is brought from home, may be a natural ending time for littles.
Neshama B’Teva begins October 11th and registration is now open!
Limited spaces are available for non-members.
Please reach out to Laurel (laurelsimkoff AT gmail DOT com) with any questions about Neshama B’Teva.