We are piloting a fun, hands-on program directed toward young students enrolled in two after school programs in the Vancouver public school system. JSprouts is designed to introduce children from unaffiliated families to basic Jewish concepts organized around the holidays. The weekly program is an optional module open to all children attending the designated after school care program.
Thanks to the support of a very generous donor, JSprouts will be taught by an experienced Jewish educator, with participation from guest artists and rabbis from across our community. JSprouts will focus on arts and crafts, storytelling, cooking, and music. All students in kindergarten through grade three are welcome.
JSprouts is the latest way Jewish Federation is delivering on the recommendations made by our Jewish Education Task Force, which was co-chaired by Rob Greenwald and Risa Levine. Task forces are an important aspect of Jewish Federation’s strategic planning role for our community.
The Jewish Education Task Force recognized that combining after school care with Jewish learning makes sense, especially for working families. It’s one of many trends in informal Jewish education that is taking place across North America, and this was echoed by local parents who responded to a Jewish Federation survey last year.
Try JSprouts for Free
You’ll have three opportunities to experience what JSprouts is all about before registering for the full program.
Free program sessions will take place at two different locations starting on October 15th. You can attend one session or all three, and pick the location that works best for your children. These sessions really are free, and when you join us there’s no obligation to sign up for future programs or events. Sign your child up for a free session at jewishvancouver.com/jsprouts-free.
All free sessions will run from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., with drop-off and arrivals starting at 4:00 p.m. Please note that when the full program begins, sessions will be from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. (with arrivals starting at 3:00 p.m.)
Each session includes a healthy, kosher snack. Kids will enjoy interactive, Jewishly-inspired activities. October and December sessions will engage kids in celebration of Sukkot and Hanukkah, and in November kids will embrace the power and joy of Judaism through art.
Free Sessions at Little Mountain Neighbourhood House | 3981 Main Street
- October 15 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
- November 19 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
- December 17 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Free Sessions at The Croatian Cultural Centre | 3250 Commercial Drive
- October 16 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
- November 20 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
- December 18 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Full Program Starts January 2020
The full JSprouts program will start the second week of January and run through the last week of June 2020. The program will take place once a week after school from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. (with arrivals starting at 3:00 p.m.) at two different locations in Vancouver. The cost is $150. We will announce the two locations and confirm the day of the week very soon.
Sign up for information about the official program launch in January at jewishvancouver.com/jsprouts, or email Hannah Yerington, community development outreach worker and JSprouts facilitator, with any questions.