Pnei Mitzvah (2024-2026 Cohort) | Year 1

Program Description

The Peretz Centre offers a pluralistic approach to Jewish education and culture that emphasizes the humanist, progressive, and universalist aspects of our heritage. We focus on literature, language, ethics, music, art and dance. Although children learn about Jewish spirituality and religious history, Peretz does not seek to promote particular religious commitments or doctrines. Peretz is an LGBTQ+ safe environment, and while we are rooted in the Ashkenazi humanist, yiddishist culture that gave birth to Peretz, Jews of all backgrounds are welcome, and the diversity of global Judaism is explored in our Pnei Mitzvah curriculum. ***YEAR 1*** Covers Jewish history and culture, starting from the Biblical canon to the present day. All subjects are taught as literature and their meaning and significance are examined and debated, giving space for students to find their own relationship to the texts. At the end of Year 1, students are asked to create a midrash -- a creative expansion or reinterpretation of a narrative from the Tanakh, in any medium they choose. ***YEAR 2*** Delves deeper into Judaism in the modern world. At the end of Year 2, students prepare a Pnei Mitzvah project where they present an aspect of Jewish culture that they connect with and wish to research/explore in whatever medium they choose (such as a book report, art, dance, or video to learn to chant the traditional haftorah). The program ends with a collaboratively organized Pnei Mitzvah ceremony. *** Schedule & Fees *** Pnei Mitzvah classes (Year 1 cohort) take place every other Sunday from 2-4pm at the Peretz Centre, from October 20 through June. The standard fee for the course is $990 in Year 1, and $640 in Year 2 in order to accommodate expenses around the Pnei Mitzvah ceremony. We offer a reduced rate for families registering more than one child ($1400 for two students in Year 1, $990 in Year 2). Payment plans are also available to address financial access barriers. Learn more here: https://www.peretz-centre.org/pnei-mitzvah-jewish-education-ages-10-to-13 *** Instructor Bio *** Matthew Gindin has been teaching Jewish history, philosophy, and contemplative traditions in a wide variety of settings since 2004. Formerly our Education Director and Master Teacher at Or Shalom, we welcomed Matthew back to the Peretz Centre in 2024. He also works as an acupuncturist, freelance writer and editor, professional lecturer, and independent journalist. (https://www.matthewgindin.com/)