Youth Institute for Spirituality and Action

Mission: We aim to provide a safe and engaging space for the youngest members of our community to explore their multifaceted Jewish identities and connection to the Jewish values of compassion and lovingkindness. By hosting this programming on Saturday mornings, we envision the growth of a beloved and intergenerational Shabbat community, and the fostering of a spiritual practice of prayer, mindfulness, and social action.

We are devoted to exploring the diversity and plurality of what it means to be Jewish, and aim to do so through creating an inclusive and collaborative space. Payment plan options are available in order to make our educational offerings as accessible as possible.

Curriculum: Our year together brings students on a Jewish values journey. Each session is informed by an overarching theme - limud torah (learning Torah), teshuvah (returning and reflection), b'tzelem elohim (in the image of God), ahavat olam (loving all humankind), chesed (lovingkindness), gevurah (strength and power), and tzedek (justice). Holidays and Torah stories are interrogated through this lens, providing students with a culturally relevant framework for exploring their Jewish identities and connecting their Jewish learning to their broader community and world.

Ages: The Youth Institute encompasses all of Malkhut's children's programming.

Malkhut & Me

Join us to sing, celebrate Shabbat, and make new friends. Malkhut & Me is our twice-monthly program for kids from birth through pre-K along with their grownups. It meets on the first Saturday of every month. Madricheh Stephen Figurasmith will lead an interactive musical session to help families celebrate Shabbat together.

Ages: Infants to Pre-K and their grownups

Dates: 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month; beginning regularly in November

Time: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM, followed by communal prayer and occasional potlucks

Important note: Malkhut is a start-up community with limited staff. In order to provide quality programs at affordable rates, we occasionally rely on volunteers to ensure the success of our events! Volunteering feeds into our vision of building a beloved, active, intergenerational community. When you volunteer as a Class Parent, your responsibilities include

Arriving early (around 10:30 AM)
Taking attendance (a roster will be provided to you) & marking down drop-ins
Holding space/serving as a Malkhut ambassador (you will be provided with all the information you will need)

And don't worry! You will be able to enjoy the Malkhut & Me programming just as you normally would with your child.

If you are unable to commit to the full year, you can join us by signing up for a drop-in session here!

Malkhut is a proud partner of PJ Library!

Shtilim, Anafim, Mekhinim

Saplings, Branches, Preparers

Students will be separated into age-appropriate groups with a highly trained madricheh or educational guide. During their twice-monthly sessions, they will experience prayer, music, and mindfulness, while learning about Jewish holidays, Jewish values, the diversity of Jewish experience, and Jewish commitment to social justice.

Saturday Morning Schedule

Ages: Kindergarten - 6th Grade; At least one adult is required to attend Shabbat Morning Services

Dates: 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month; beginning regularly in November

Time: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Mekhinim Hebrew

Ages: 5th & 6th Grade

Dates: Check calendar

Time: Wednesdays, 5:30 PM

Olim: A Group BMitzvah Experience

Olim means "going up." The Olim program provides a community-centered BMitzvah journey for Malkhut’s teen and tween members, instilling confidence in their multicultural and multiracial Jewish identities and experiences, and integrating them into our adult spiritual community with their parents and guardians. This journey includes prayer & mindfulness, Torah study, prayer book Hebrew and trope learning, social justice work, a weekday activism trip to Albany, and family retreats. Our first cohort began Olim in Fall 2021, with an expected culmination group BMitzvah celebration in Spring 2023.

Ages: 6th grade & up; Students will start Olim in their 6th or 7th grade year, and complete the program in 7th or 8th grade; Wiggle room will be given to slightly older students who have yet to experience a BMitzvah. At least one adult is required to attend Shabbat Morning Services with their child. We are not accepting new students for Olim in 2022-2023.

Dates: Check calendar

Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Shtilim, Anafim, Mekhinim

Olim