Intergenerational Model: CTI Limud

Update (January 2018): Congregation Tifereth Israel (CTI), Glen Cove, NY

Model Description | Update 2018

Current Status:

CTI Limud has grown since its inception and continues to engage families each Sunday; there are now about 50 families which include 80 students participating in this model. While the essence of CTI Limud has remained the same over the past years, the following adaptations have been made:

  • Every Sunday, families join for breakfast from 9:30-10:00 am.

  • Each week, this is followed by classes for learners from 10:00 am-12:30 pm.

  • Once a month, there is a class for parents from 10:30-11:30 am.

  • Learners also meet on Thursdays 4:30-6:30 pm.

CTI now has a monthly Shabbat family service as well as haggim services or programs. In the fall of 2017, these were all held on evenings, but the educator shared that she hoped to include some morning services in the winter or spring.

Currently, the focus of Shabbat celebration takes place on Friday nights; this is when families are available. Because of the successful Friday evening experiences, CTI has instituted a Shinshin Shabbat once a month at a family’s home. (Shinshinim are 18-year old Israelis, sent abroad by the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Israeli government, who educate people of all ages outside of Israel about Israeli culture and Israel.) The host family invites two or three other families to join them for Shabbat dinner. The Shinshin Shabbat and the Shabbat family service take place on different evenings.

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Reflections of the Educator:

CTI is very proud of their high retention rate among teens. There are currently 18 Limud High students; this is 80% of their post b’nai mitzvah learners. The educator shared that she hears younger learners say that they can’t wait to be in Limud High. Along with Limud High, the teens run a successful USY chapter. The teens are sharing their talent. There is a teen who writes an article and takes pictures each week about what goes on in the classrooms. Another boy, who is an eagle scout, has made the temple his project. The teens see this as a place that is interesting to them. All the Limud High students serve as madrichim.

CTI is also proud of the involvement of congregants in Limud. There is a grandparent, for example, who co-teaches Facing History with the education director to the 7th graders.

The educator suggests that others who would like to start a model similar to CTI Limud be very thoughtful and aware of the community needs. CTI has been growing by using value based learning and kindness and by adapting to the ever-changing needs of how people view Judaism. CTI prides itself on meeting people where they are at.

At CTI, they work extensively on collecting and addressing parent feedback. The staff at CTI are aware that they must be very flexible. They are continually looking to strengthen the curriculum. There is a focus on value-based learning.

CTI’s “big philosophy” is that Torah begins and ends with kindness. Everything they do relates to this outlook.

The educator also spoke of the role of funders and how the congregation honors the funders. For example, their youth program, Kiki’s Kadima, is sponsored by a funder. The children at CTI all know about Kiki. Another funder sponsors their pre-K and K Junior Limud program. This funding allows CTI to run the program free to families. The education director works directly with the sponsors and finds opportunities for them to be honored. The education director is extremely grateful to these sponsors, knowing that many of the impactful experiences at CTI Limud have been made possible through their generosity.