The new after-school program meets a critical need in the community.
(Courtesy of Kfar) They say it takes a village to raise a child. For so many members of the community whose children attend local yeshiva day schools, the village is built in. Parents partner with the wonderful heads of school, administrators and educators to teach their children foundational Judaic studies and shape their religious identity. For families with children and teens who attend secular schools to best meet their various needs, however, the village feels more like an island.
Kfar, which is Hebrew for village, is a new Bergen County-based organization created with exactly this in mind. Kfar’s after-school program serves students in grades 1–12 who benefit from the services offered at public or specialized schools.
Kfar’s founder and board president, Dr. Rebecca Eliason, recognized the need for this type of program through her work with local families and both secular and Jewish day schools. After a conversation with Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger, a rosh yeshiva at the Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies of Yeshiva University and rabbi at Cong. Beth Abraham in Bergenfield, it became clear how much this program was needed. “It’s always heartbreaking when these students have to sacrifice Jewish opportunities,” Eliason reflected.
In Kfar’s after-school program, experienced yeshiva day school teachers and rebbeim provide a meaningful Torah education in small group learning structures in line with each student’s background and skill level. Some students have been in a yeshiva day school setting until recently and have a greater understanding of Judaic studies. Others may have basic knowledge or none at all. All are welcome in Kfar’s program.
Too often, students who are best served by secular schools feel disconnected, or even rejected, from the community. Their siblings and peers experience yeshiva day school and all of its benefits in ways they cannot. Kfar offers a lifeline to Jewish community and identity.
“We provide both Jewish education and community connection,” Eliason noted. “We want each student to feel welcomed and wanted, to give them Jewish role models and create opportunities for students to participate in chinuch classes and activities like their peers at yeshiva day schools. Each of them deserves the opportunity to learn the skills and build a foundation to live a Torah life.”
Neuburger shares this passion. “Kfar’s program welcomes children whose maturation and overall development are best served by services and expertise offered only in secular schools. Kfar offers these children substantive Torah education, familiarity with davening and the holidays and creates connections with friends and teachers in the community. Most importantly, Kfar will message to our children our profound interest and passionate concern for their Torah study and tefillah and leave no doubt in their hearts that they are very much loved and appreciated by our community. We are grateful for the boundless positivism and expertise of Dr. Rebecca Eliason and awed by it; without her these efforts would be little more than a dream.”
From the outset, there was a clear demand for Kfar’s after-school program. The twice-weekly sessions cover parsha, chagim, tefillah and halacha, in addition to Chumash, Navi, Mishah and Gemara, each taught in an age- and background-appropriate way. The program launched the first week of November with 25 students and has already had over 70 inquiries.
“I was inspired to get involved when I learned just how badly this program is needed in our community,” said Dov Adler, a Kfar board member. “I really believe that most people don’t appreciate how many families are in this predicament, where they have to send their children to secular school for a variety of reasons, but they’re sacrificing a lot as it relates to growing up religious and committed to Jewish life and community. The ability to provide them with this education is invaluable.”
Esther Seewald, whose son is a middle school student in Kfar’s program, agreed. “Kfar’s is a program that is long needed in our community. We have been searching for a program like this for years! We are so thankful. It gives our son a chance to connect to a rabbi and learn Torah on his level. Our son came home so excited to go back and he has truly enjoyed learning.”
Both students and parents are already enthusiastic about the program. “My son, Yehuda, attends public school and joined Kfar’s program,” said Shoshana Goldstein. “He is really excited to share his first ever dvar Torah at our Shabbos table this week.”
Kfar has partnered with many Bergen County yeshiva day schools to launch its program. Sessions take place at Cong. Beth Abraham, with some high school sessions at TABC and Naaleh as well. Kfar is grateful for TABC and Naaleh’s inaugural partnership in creating opportunities for its students within their schools.
Kfar’s staff members all teach at local yeshiva day schools during the day, including Yeshivat Noam, RYNJ, Maayanot, Ohr Yisroel and TABC, and dedicate time after hours to teaching in Kfar’s program.
Ilana Adams, a teacher in the program, shared, “As the song goes, ‘every yid’s a big tzadik.’ We love every Jew and if we can assist in any way to help them reach their potential, what a tremendous zechut that is. We started our first session with an icebreaker game in which we shared words associated with ‘Judaism’ and it was clear from the responses that every single student had a thirst for Torah and connection.”
Shani Motechin, another teacher in Kfar’s program, echoed this sentiment, “It’s beautiful to see the enthusiasm students show when they come to learn. I feel lucky to be a part of this special program that helps further Jewish education.”
Kfar’s program not only meets this critical need for its students and their families, but it also reflects our community’s values. “Our community is based on the premise of ‘kol Yisrael arevim zeh ba’zeh,’” remarked Adler. “We all have a responsibility to one another. When one person or family struggles, we all struggle. This may not be your issue personally, but you may face a challenge in another area and the nature of community is that we all come together to help each other.”
Moreover, having children in the community who don’t have access to a Torah education impacts the community’s collective future. Without this essential foundation in Judaic studies and Jewish identity, they will grow up less connected, less interested and less inspired to lead a religiously committed life. “We should all concern ourselves to the best of our ability,” said Adler. “Not everyone has the ability to teach or the time to put in, but we may have financial resources to support this need and that is just as crucial to ensuring that all children in our community have access to this type of education.”
After teaching in just one week of Kfar’s program, Rabbi Asher Yaablock saw the difference this can make for the community in the long run. “I believe in the power of positive relationships with role models within the Jewish community and the long-lasting impact those relationships have on future belonging. I have also seen the critical role that success in learning has in being a part of the Jewish community and that regular engagement with Torah learning and developing skills leads to only positive outcomes. The first session only reinforced the value of this program as I saw students learning Mishna, parsha and halacha along with other students just like them, in a setting that was warm and encouraging.”
Kfar’s future plans include one-on-one guidance to parents so they can best manage their child’s academic and religious journeys. For now, the organization is excited to have successfully launched its after-school program and looks forward to its continued growth. Enrollment will open soon for the program’s second semester, which will run from Feb. 21–June 16.
“From day one, our students have been happy and engaged,” said Eliason. “They’ve been learning and having fun with peers in a real Torah environment. We are so grateful to be filling this crucial need in our community in partnership with Rabbi Neuburger, Beth Abraham, the local yeshiva day schools, and the families we serve. It really does take a village.”
For more information about Kfar’s after-school program or to support the organization, contact [email protected].
