Informal Jewish Education and Social Action
Informal Jewish Education
Our Informal Jewish Education Programme provides exciting and dynamic opportunities for students to continue their Jewish journey beyond the classroom. The programme enhances the topics covered in our formal Jewish curriculum, and is developed in consultation with the students, providing creative activities, which are built on the students' own interests.
Programmes include: Shabbatonim (weekend residentials); Jewish film and book clubs; Israeli dancing and singing groups; whole-school festival celebrations which explore Jewish traditions; values and teachings in relation to contemporary issues, as well as Torah study programmes.
Through informal education methods, we open up avenues which enable students to engage with the vast tapestry of Jewish experience. Students develop a curiosity for learning which they will carry with them during their life-long Jewish journey.
Social Action
Our Social Action programme lies at the heart of the JCoSS community and is centred around the values of Gemilut Hasadim (acts of loving kindness), Tzedakah (charity, justice) and Tikun Olam (repair of the world). JCoSS is committed to equipping students with the skills and information necessary to play a full part in the Jewish community and beyond
Students are encouraged to explore their personal responsibility to help 'repair the world' through dialogue, meaningful interactions and practical action. Working in partnership with key organisations both within and outside the Jewish community, we offer an innovative and diverse menu of activities, which include inter-community discussion groups, the Manna from Heaven Initiative (sandwich-making project for a local homeless shelter), the Yoni Jesner Volunteering Award, the UJIA's myfund Philanthropy Project, ongoing volunteering opportunities both within and outside the school gates as well as inter-faith initiatives in partnership with the 3 Faiths Forum.
Our Social Action Programme provides students with the knowledge, skills, confidence and motivation to become active global citizens and self-confident ambassadors for Judaism. Both the Informal Education and Social Action Programmes are facilitated through a combination of timetabled enrichment activities, extra-curricular activities (before, during and after school) and activities beyond (e.g. holidays, weekends and non-school days).