Sunday School: Atidaynu
Atidaynu, “Our Future,” is Har Shalom’s Sunday school for families with children from ages 3 – 13. We honor and enjoy the diversity of every participating household. Interfaith families are welcome. No prior knowledge of Judaism or Hebrew is required. Participating families must be members of Har Shalom.
We continue our efforts to create a community-wide Jewish youth education program that builds on the existing programs. We are highly encouraged by this development and hope that the community will support this program heartily. Send your kids, tell your friends, and financially support it to make it a proud moment among Missoula’s Jewish Stories. Details will be provided when they solidify.
Parents/guardians and other volunteers direct the program with the participation and guidance of Har Shalom leadership. We typically meet twice monthly on Sunday afternoons during the Missoula school year. This year’s 2022–2023 Atidaynu calendar is here. Registration for 2022–2023 is here Families can fill out the Har Shalom membership form and stay current on their membership financial support here, or mail to Har Shalom, PO Box 3715, Missoula, MT 59806.
For the past two years, we met online during the pandemic. This year, we will meet in person, using as our guidelines the current policies for masking, vaccination, and other public health measures as Missoula County Public Schools. (Shared events with the larger congregation, such as the Hanukkah and Purim parties, may have other requirements.)
We enjoy being together! We begin with small groups for age- and stage-appropriate learning for Hebrew and Jewish subjects, including religion, history, culture, and current events. Then everyone comes together for closing group prayers, singing, dancing, snacking, and socializing.
Younger kids spend time with stories, arts and crafts, and games, learning in a variety of ways—through studying Bible stories, the Hebrew alphabet, and Jewish customs. As they grow older, they learn more about acting on Jewish values in the home and in the community. During the two to four years preceding bar or bat mitzvah age, students learn to read Hebrew and lead prayers.
When possible, parents/guardians enrich our community by participating in Atidaynu, too. As you can, please learn, lead, and connect with us—we will put you to good work!
B’nei Mitzvah Education
Each student works with a tutor to build reading, chanting and prayer skills and meets monthly with spiritual leadership to discuss ideas and meanings in Torah, Haftarah, and words of prayer. Engaging a tutor is the responsibility of the bar or bat mitzvah’s family. We expect that students are enrolled in Atidaynu and attend services regularly. Each student engages in a community service project as part of b’nei mitzvah education.