This fall, IKARON Jewish Learning, an education initiative of the Jewish Collaborative of Orange County (JCoOC), will begin its third year offering independent Jewish education to families. The program began in 2019 when five Laguna Beach families approached JCoOC founder, Rabbi Marcia Tilchin, to help them create an intimate Jewish learning program for an initial cohort of 9 children. This grass-roots religious education program offers some unique features that may appeal to select families looking for an accessible, small-group Jewish learning environment for their children.
WHAT MAKES IKARON UNIQUE?
A model of religious pluralism. Ikaron Director, D’vorah Miller, is an accomplished educator whose passion for Torah and all things Jewish is rooted in her Modern Orthodox upbringing. Her impressive career spans thirty years, four continents and her first book, “Up to G-d,” was released this summer. She has worked closely for two years with Conservative Rabbi Karen
Isenberg, spiritual leader of Congregation Shir Chadash in Lakewood, and TVT teacher Lauren Carroll to create an engaging curriculum rich in spirituality and tradition.
In 2021-2022, master educator and celebrated artist, Carina Rock, will join the educational team. Carina is currently the West Coast Director for Jewish Interactive, a non-profit dedicated to inspiring learning for youth through Jewish Ed-Tech. In-person classes for grades K-7 will be offered on Monday afternoons and online classes for grades 3-7 on Wednesday afternoons.
Additional options include:
• Two levels of supplemental Hebrew
• A pre-bar mitzvah program led by Rabbis Marcia Tilchin and Karen Isenberg for families with children in grades 5 and up.
• IKARON NOAR – weekly online learning for high school students taught by dynamic rabbis and educators from around the country
All classes will begin the week of October 4.
To learn more about IKARON curriculum, faculty, class schedule or to register, please visit
https://www.jewishcollaborativeoc.org/ikaron.
Other programs for young families include JCoOC’s monthly Zoom Gali Gali Shabbat celebration. Join Rabbi Aviva Funke (BJE of Greater Phoenix), Scott Spitzer and families from around the country on the second Shabbat of every month for an hour of online Shabbat spirit and prayer from 10-11am. Don’t miss a special Days of Awe/Shabbat service on Saturday, September 11.
Click here for information about JCoOC’s High Holiday Family Services led by Scott Spitzer and guest clergy. These in-person services will be accessible on Zoom.
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The Jewish Collaborative of Orange County is a creative, collaborative, and compassionate community mosaic dedicated to innovating and supporting local and national programming that enriches the landscape of Jewish life and encouraging individuals and families to connect their passions and purpose with Judaism. Visit us at JewishCollaborativeOC.org.
