Working together, we aim to improve our community, our society, and our world.
Vote Forward Letter Writing Campaign
We will gather throughout the summer to write non-partisan letters to infrequent voters in key battleground states with the Vote Forward project. The letter writing sessions will take place via Zoom or in person, in homes or coffee shops in different neighborhoods. We welcome new and veteran writers!
Annual Camping Trip
This annual camping trip is geared towards everyone in the Kavana community -- kids and adults alike. If you're newer to Kavana, or looking to get to know other members of the community that you might normally not cross paths with, then this is the trip for you! There will be a nice mix of scheduled meals and activities in addition to a lot of down time for games, hikes, s'mores, etc.
Dayenu Circle
Dayenu Circle-Kavana is our branch of a national organization of American Jews who want to take action against the climate crisis.
Our chapter brings family-friendly environmental education and action items, from creating seed satchels, to walks in the park, to political action. Click to learn about our UW Farm Volunteering Day!
Lobbying Day and More with Multifaith Criminal Justice Reform
Kavana, as part of the MCJRC, is working to build support for a change in prison culture, away from punitive abuse and towards personal transformation in preparation for reentry into society. Click to learn more and get involved.
Racial Justice: Resources
Click to access Racial Justice related resources (studies, articles, books, etc.) compiled by Kavana's Racial Justice Team. This is a living document, so please add any relevant resources you have to share.
Shmita 5782
Jewish Emergent Network has conceived a year-long initiative to honor the biblical Shmita sabbatical year as an opportunity to address systemic challenges in our contemporary world.
Our programs for Jewish holidays and Shabbat offer many different ways to connect with Jewish ritual and tradition.
Shabbat in the Park
This summer, we plan to travel to three different Seattle neighborhoods to welcome Shabbat together with music and reflection, food and community.
Mussar & Meditation
Explore the wisdom of Mussar and Meditation with Rabbi Jay LeVine and lay leaders. Mussar means “correction” or “ethical learning” and our practice focuses on becoming better people day by day in small but important ways.
Selichot Concert and Musicians in Residence Weekend with Congregation Beth Shalom
Welcome 5783 in this community-wide, weekend-long Jewish music event of the year, with artist Joey Weisenberg and Rabbi Deborah Sack Mintz, September 16-17, 2022. Click for more details and to RSVP.
Shabbat Morning Minyan
A traditional (mostly in Hebrew) service which features lots of singing, harmonies, and great energy. Led by Rabbi Rachel and members of the community. Join us in September 2022 after our summer break.
Kabbalat Shabbat
w/ Traci Marx
In Kabbalat Shabbat services, we warmly welcome Shabbat by creating sacred space. We slow down, we sing, we pray, we go inward, we connect, we build community, we center in love, and we hold a strong vision for a liberated and just world.
Our education programs are designed to support families as they forge identity and generate personally meaningful Jewish life. With programs for kids and parents to learn both together and separately, we offer a fun-educational approach that is child-centered and hands-on.
Covid Note for 2021-2022 Year
All of these educational programs were designed as in-person experiences; last year all of them took place exclusively online due to Covid safety issues. This year, we’re trying to return to in-person as soon as we can, but the Delta variant is making it tricky.
In order to proceed safely, some Kavana programs will begin the year on Zoom and others in-person but outdoors. These adjustments in format may necessitate other changes (e.g. in timing, group size), and we are committed to rolling with changing Public Health recommendations as nimbly as we can.
As always, Kavana’s staff will seek to make solid decisions and communicate clearly with families throughout the year.
Moadon Yeladim
After-school program for elementary school-aged children, one day a week
Havdalah Club
Jewish ethics for third to fifth graders, meets one Saturday evening a month
(in-person & outdoors or on Zoom)
Middle School Program
Jewish texts, history and values, one day a week
High School Program
Contemporary Jewish topics, one Sunday evening a month, (in-person & outdoors or on Zoom)
Prep & Practice
A program for the whole family, where parents and children can explore the Jewish holidays together (in-person & outdoors or on Zoom)
Shabbat Tinker-Gan
Monthly outdoor Shabbat program for families with toddlers and preschoolers
Summer Singing Circles with Congregation Beth Shalom
Congregation Beth Shalom has partnered with Kavana and other local Jewish communities to bring you singing experiences throughout the summer of 2022 leading up to the much-anticipated visit from Joey Weisenberg and Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz.
All ages and abilities welcome. Click for more info and to RSVP.
Book Club
The Book Club discusses provocative Jewish fiction and nonfiction, and meets on several Sunday mornings throughout the year.
Singing Circle w/ Chava Mirel
Join Chava Mirel for an evening dedicated to the joy of Jewish group singing. We guarantee you will leave feeling uplifted!
Sailing the Inky Seas
Join Rabbi Jay and Kavana partner Judith Mentzer for an intermittent series of writing workshops on Jewish forms and themes
Living Room Learning
Discussion of Jewish texts and commentaries, from parshah of the week to Talmud and beyond. Led by Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum.
