Israelis in Brooklyn
Click here to register for Keshet and Keshetot on the Israelis in Brooklyn website!
Israelis in Brooklyn is a Hebrew immersion and cultural program for Israelis living in Brooklyn. It was established in April of 2010 to help create and retain a sense of connection and cultural identity for families and individuals in Brooklyn’s large, widespread Israeli community. Israelis in Brooklyn is a one-of-a-kind Brooklyn-based program that helps Israeli individuals and families to form close relationships, retain a sense of belonging, and connect with their roots. Through a selection of child and family educational programs, social gatherings, and programming aimed at fostering informal and organic programming in homes and neighborhoods, Israelis in Brooklyn fills a need voiced by a largely unaffiliated Israeli community.
Since its inception, the group has been supported and hosted by CBE and underwritten by a generous grant from the Charles H. Revson Foundation to support educational programs for children, gatherings for adults, and holiday and musical celebrations. Founded by coordinator Yehudit Feinstein, an Israeli artist, educator and therapist who has lived the New York area for nearly a decade, the group has grown rapidly, now including about 50 families, and has plans for many events in the upcoming year.
Programs include:
Keshet קשת: The first Israeli program for kids in Brooklyn
Keshet means “rainbow” in Hebrew. It is also a Hebrew acronym for “Community for Language and Culture” (Kehillat Safa V’ Tarbut). Keshet meets weekly for an immersive experience in Hebrew language, Israeli culture and Jewish values for children ages 3 to 7. The program explores aspects of Israeli identity as well as Israeli and Jewish Holidays from a uniquely Israeli standpoint, using music, art, drama, stories and games to convey to students the beauty of Israeli culture and Judaism.
Keshet-Tots קשתות: Infant/toddler music class
Keshet-Tots, supported by a UJA-Federation grant, started in December 2010. The program is for Israeli families who have infants and toddlers. In Keshet-Tots children and their families enjoy Israeli music, story-time, art and movement. Keshet-Tots provides structured opportunities for these families to socialize, in a Hebrew-language Israeli environment.
To learn more and to connect, please visit the Israelis in Brooklyn website, or contact Yehudit Feinstein at Israelis.in.brooklyn@gmail.com or (347) 766-2556.
