Jewish education has the power to bring together members of the congregational community across generational lines. This Intergenerational structure supports children, teens and adults - who are not necessarily related - learning together. Learning can take place within the congregation during typical learning times or in alternative spaces. This model provides children with the opportunity to create relationships with teens and/or older adults who can serve as Jewish role models for them. The teens and adults benefit from the opportunity to make new connections within the congregational community outside of their peer group.

These models are part of a larger collection of innovation models for Congregational Learning.

Tribal Chiefs

Intergenerational Model: Tribes

Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York. Learners of different ages are integrated into four tribes and engage in immersive activities to learn about Jewish values. Tribes is facilitated by teens (tribal chiefs).

Emanu El Logo

Intergenerational Model: Intergenerational Torah Study

Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, Rye, NY. Intergenerational teams consisting of two adults and one teen serve as learning facilitators for four or five 6th or 7th grade students.

CTI Limud

Intergenerational Model: CTI Limud

Congregation Tifereth Israel (CTI), Glen Cove, NY. CTI learners and their families participate in hands-on experiential learning. The curriculum focuses on Jewish values learned through our stories (both modern and ancient).

Shorashim TIC

Intergenerational Model: Shorashim - For Living Judaism Beyond the Classroom

Temple Israel Center White Plains, NY. This model encourages full-time educators to go beyond the classroom by engaging learners at the synagogue, in their homes, as well as, in the community.

CSAIR

Intergenerational Model: Project Chaverim

Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale, Bronx, NY. Project Chaverim (friends) empowers teens in grades 10-12 to work with learners in grades 3 and 4, building community while strengthening Hebrew and prayer reading skills.