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!
Partner Giving Highlight: LIHI
Led by Tzedek & Tikkun regulars, Kavana donated funds and supplies to Low Income Housing Institute as part of Matanot L'evyonim (gifts to the poor) for Purim. Click for more info about donations and to check for opportunities to donate via the gift registry.
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 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.
Kabbalat Shabbat w/ Traci Marx
You might leave feeling like you’ve been at a concert, soaked in a hot spring, or received a warm hug.
Lag B'Omer Singing Circle
Join us on Thursday, May 19, 7-8:30pm in celebrating this Lag Ba'Omer (a minor celebratory holiday in the midst of an otherwise sad period) through song! We will be led in song and Torah by local musical artist Chava Mirel, Rabbi Jay LeVine, Rabbi Jill Borodin and Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum. A casual picnic will follow.
Jewish Emergent Network Music Video
Project Accelerate recently commissioned the creation of this gorgeous Hallelu video, featuring many of the musicians of the Jewish Emergent Network... including our very own Traci Marx! We guarantee you'll want to dance and sing along!
Virtual Shabbat Candle Lighting
The Virtual Candle Lighting that sustained so many of us during Covid lockdown days are back, by popular demand! All are welcome to join us for 30 minutes of learning, reflection, and blessings as we enter into the day of rest together.
Virtual Community Havdalah
All are welcome to join this community touch-point as we end Shabbat together and marking the transition into the new week with our Kavana friends!
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
Learn About Israel from Linda Gradstein!
In this early-morning Zoom session, Linda, is an award winning journalist who has covered Israel for more than 30 years, will speak on "Tribal Identity vs. Israeliness: Identity in Israel Today" for about 40 minutes, followed by time for interactive Q&A. Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 8:30–9:45 AM.
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!
Caste Study Group
Join Kavana for a text study of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson. Caste is a powerful account of how hierarchy reproduces itself, and links the caste systems of Nazi Germany, India, and the US.
Living Room Learning
Discussion of Jewish texts and commentaries, from parshah of the week to Talmud and beyond. Led by Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum.
