NEHAR SHALOM FAMILY LEARNING PROGRAMS: A Survey and Invitation

Your input is important to us at Nehar Shalom

Dear Friends,

You can be part of shaping the Nehar Shalom Community Synagogue’s family learning programs. Since December 2011, a task force has been meeting to help Nehar Shalom clarify our educational needs and aspirations. As a component of our work, it is important to hear from as wide a spectrum of families as possible to learn what your Jewish education goals are for your children over the next five years, and how Nehar Shalom might help to meet those goals. Building for the future on two successful programs, we currently offer the Family Learning Circle for children ages 4-6 and their parents, and the Mishpacha Family Hebrew School for children ages 7-10 and their parents. Attending “school” together, Nehar Shalom’s educational programs are uniquely organized around parents and children learning in partnership, with each other and with other families.

Your answers to this survey will help Nehar Shalom and the Task Force members to plan our educational goals and program and to assess them in relation to such factors as space, time, and money. The data that we gather – in particular the number of potential students and the range of curricular interests - will help us craft an educational program for the next five years and design creative solutions to meet the needs and aspirations of a vibrantly diverse community. We look forward to your input and invite you to join us.

L'shalom/toward peace,
The Family Learning Task Force

Question Title

* 1. What subject matter would you like your child(ren) to learn at Nehar Shalom? Please rank by numbering 1-11, 1 for most important. You may use the same number more than once:

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Holidays	Holidays 1	Holidays 2	Holidays 3	Holidays 4	Holidays 5	Holidays 6	Holidays 7	Holidays 8	Holidays 9	Holidays 10	Holidays 11
Torah/Bible	Torah/Bible 1	Torah/Bible 2	Torah/Bible 3	Torah/Bible 4	Torah/Bible 5	Torah/Bible 6	Torah/Bible 7	Torah/Bible 8	Torah/Bible 9	Torah/Bible 10	Torah/Bible 11
Hebrew language	Hebrew language 1	Hebrew language 2	Hebrew language 3	Hebrew language 4	Hebrew language 5	Hebrew language 6	Hebrew language 7	Hebrew language 8	Hebrew language 9	Hebrew language 10	Hebrew language 11
Jewish values	Jewish values 1	Jewish values 2	Jewish values 3	Jewish values 4	Jewish values 5	Jewish values 6	Jewish values 7	Jewish values 8	Jewish values 9	Jewish values 10	Jewish values 11
History	History 1	History 2	History 3	History 4	History 5	History 6	History 7	History 8	History 9	History 10	History 11
Israel	Israel 1	Israel 2	Israel 3	Israel 4	Israel 5	Israel 6	Israel 7	Israel 8	Israel 9	Israel 10	Israel 11
Song and Dance	Song and Dance 1	Song and Dance 2	Song and Dance 3	Song and Dance 4	Song and Dance 5	Song and Dance 6	Song and Dance 7	Song and Dance 8	Song and Dance 9	Song and Dance 10	Song and Dance 11
Visual Arts	Visual Arts 1	Visual Arts 2	Visual Arts 3	Visual Arts 4	Visual Arts 5	Visual Arts 6	Visual Arts 7	Visual Arts 8	Visual Arts 9	Visual Arts 10	Visual Arts 11
God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur)	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 1	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 2	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 3	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 4	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 5	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 6	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 7	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 8	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 9	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 10	God, Prayer, and spiritual awareness – (structure of Jewish prayer/use of siddur) 11
Literature and stories	Literature and stories 1	Literature and stories 2	Literature and stories 3	Literature and stories 4	Literature and stories 5	Literature and stories 6	Literature and stories 7	Literature and stories 8	Literature and stories 9	Literature and stories 10	Literature and stories 11

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. At what age do you think educational programming should begin?

Under a year

1 – 2 years old

2 – 4 years old

5 years old

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. When you think about your child(ren)’s Jewish education through what age does it continue?

Thirteen

Eighteen

Twenty-one

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. My children’s current ages are:

Newborn – 2 years old

3 – 5 years old

6 – 10 years old

10 – 12 years old

12 – 16 years old

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 5. Jewish education ideally originates from a system of values. What are the top two values that you would like to see guiding education at Nehar Shalom?

Value #1

Value #2

Question Title

* 6. How often would you like to see the Mishpacha Family Hebrew School meet? Please select one answer:

Once per month

Twice per month

Once per week

Twice per week

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. As your child(ren) gets older, should the frequency of participation in programming, remain the same or increase or decrease? Please select one answer:

From starting age through ‘graduation’ the monthly or weekly participation remains the same.

Beginning at age 10 though graduation age frequency should increase.

Question Title

* 8. As more children come into our community, the financial needs of educational programming will increase. Over time there will be need for additional teachers, new materials, and additional space. Communities often cover the costs of education through the financial support of the entire community – through dues and donations – and through tuition from families with enrolled children. Financial need will not be a barrier to participation in Nehar Shalom’s educational programs.
(Tuition for educational programs is in addition to Nehar Shalom membership, which is encouraged, but not required.)

To help us plan, please select one answer for the optimal tuition range for your family:

$200 - $400

$400 - $600

$600 - $800

$800 - $1000

Question Title

* 9. Would you be willing to help advance our educational program in any of the following ways – especially if you already have expertise or experience in that area?

Planning

Curriculum

Finances

Publicity

Informational outreach to the wider community

Liaison to Jewish educational groups in Boston and beyond

Organize special programs

Social justice, peace, tzedakah organizing

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. If you would like to be kept informed about Nehar Shalom's family learning programs and follow-up to this survey, please provide us with the following:

First Name

Last Name

Email address

Thanks for your time and thoughtfulness.