Project Mishpacha
What is Project Mishpacha?
Project Mishpacha (Mishpacha is the Hebrew word for family) is designed to involve the entire family. It seeks to make Judaism tangible and to come alive. Through a combination of formal and informal learning, structured class time and family activity programs, Hebrew language acquisition and family retreats, we hope to create a collage of positive Jewish experiences to make Judaism come alive for your family.
Why is Project Mishpacha important?
It is a challenge to learn a foreign language, religion, and culture in less than four hours per week. Project Mishpacha ensures that the students’ Jewish education is joyfully received, encouraged, and reinforced by their families. This creates a give and take of learning and teaching between home and synagogue, each expanding and deepening the role of Judaism in family life. By creating these traditions at home with the knowledge learned at Beth El, students will have a strong Jewish foundation to live meaningful Jewish lives.
What is the purpose of Project Mishpacha?
The purpose of Project Mishpacha is to provide opportunities for parents to grow Jewishly with their children and explore their Jewish journeys together.
Has Project Mishpacha been recognized nationally?
Project Mishpacha has been awarded the first place curriculum and administration award from the National Jewish Educators Assembly and Torah Aura Productions and won a 2004 award from the United Conservative Synagogue-Eastern Seaboard Region. Dr. Eyal Bor has provided training and mentoring to religious schools across the country on Project Mishpacha.
What are the requirements of Project Mishpacha?
Students attend classes two days a week, with time in the classroom divided between the Hebrew and Judaic curricula.In addition, Project Mishpacha families are required to fulfill the following requirements:
Nine (9) Family or Congregational Shabbat and Holiday Services. Family Shabbat Services will be offered seven (7) times during the school year in addition to the Congregation and special Shabbat Chadash (musical Shabbat services). Please check the calendar for dates.
One (1) Shabbat in the Shul - Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat service followed by dinner. This evening is designed for families to celebrate Shabbat together as a community with a Rabbi and/or a Staff person showing how to bring the spirit of Shabbat into your own home.
Or one (1) Shabbat in the Home - an evening with other families led by a Rabbi and/or Staff person with the same goal as Shabbat in the Shul. To schedule a date, please contact Jill Eisen.
Two (2) Family Programs offered during regular Sunday school hours as well as other times of the year.
Six (6) Parent Education sessions. (See page 6 for details).
One (1) Tikkun Olam Project: Sunday, November 16. (Details to come via email)
Extra Credit - We understand it is sometimes difficult to get to planned programs. You may make-up missed Project Mishpacha programs with Tikkun Olam projects, and Beth El Congregation and community programs. Suggested programs will be emailed to you in the Beth El Schools weekly update. Please contact Jill Eisen before you attend.
Other Project Mishpacha credit opportunities include the Kick-off, a trip to New York City, Ocean City Retreat, Purim Carnival, Open Houses and Spring Fundraiser.
Please note we have tried to streamline the Project Mishpacha requirements to make them pertinent to your Jewish lives and easier for you and your family to attend.