JQuest

JQuest Goals

JQuest is designed to help students engage with a rich and varied experience of Jewish tradition and community. While holding to the goals of the Reform Movement listed below, we believe our curriculum should always address the needs of our particular community in the present. We have created a curriculum that is historically continuous with our Jewish past, respects our multi-cultural environment, and embodies the creative and pioneering spirit of the Jewish community of Northern California.

We support the following general goals as stated by the Union of Reform Judaism, striving to create a program of Jewish education which will enable children, teens, and adults to become Jews who:

• Affirm their Jewish identity and bind themselves inseparably to their people by word and deed;
• Bear witness to the brit (covenant between God and the Jewish people) by embracing the Torah through the study and observance of mitzvot (commandments) as interpreted in light of historic developments and contemporary liberal thought;
• Cherish and use Hebrew, the language of the Jewish people;
• Value and engage in tefillah (prayer);
• Further the causes of justice, freedom, and peace by pursuing tzedek (justice) and chesed (loving deeds);
• Celebrate Shabbat and the festivals, and observe the Jewish ceremonies that mark significant occasions in their lives;
• Esteem themselves and others, their own family and the families of others, their own community, and the communities of others;
• Express their kinship with K’lal Yisrael (the community of Israel) by actively seeking the welfare of Jews throughout the world and by developing a relationship with Israel - its people, the land, and the state;
• Support and participate in the life of the synagogue.

We believe these goals are best accomplished through educational experiences for the whole person: body, heart, mind, and soul.

Calendar and Schedule

JQuest is a journey of Jewish learning for children 2 years old through 7th Grade. Children in preschool through 2nd grade attend JQuest once a week, on Sundays. 3rd through 7th graders attend JQuest twice a week - on Sunday morning and one weekday afternoon each week.

Sunday Schedule
9:00-11:00 - First Session
10:30-11:00 - Tefillah (Prayer)
10:30-12:30 - Second Session

Weekday Schedule
Tuesday or Wednesday, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Click here for the 2024-2025 Calendar

Special Needs Inclusion

Welcoming and Supporting Students With Learning Differences, Developmental Differences, or Special Needs

At Temple Isaiah, we see every child as b’tzelem Elohim– made in the image of God. With that value at the forefront, we strive to provide all of our children at Temple Isaiah with a successful experience of Jewish education by acknowledging learning differences, communicating regularly with parents, helping students to celebrate and develop their strengths, and teaching through different modes of learning.  To that end, we employ a Learning Specialist in JQuest to help make sure that we do our best to accommodate the needs of each child.

Parents As Partners
We need parents’ collaboration to provide the best experience for our students. Parents are the experts on their children and can provide us with essential information about their children’s strengths and unique needs. We see parents as our partners, and we strive for strong communication among parents, teachers, and our Learning Specialist.

Special Needs Support in the Classroom
In addition to our Learning Specialist, we also have a Special Needs Aide on our JQuest Faculty. Our Learning Specialist works with our in-class aide to determine which students need one-on-one assistance, and our aide spends his/her time with those students who need the most support and guidance. We also train our teens (Avodah TA’s) to serve as “buddies” for students with special needs.

Questions About Inclusion?
We’d love to speak with you about your child’s specific needs. Please contact Rabbi Greninger at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (925) 284-9191.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Temple Isaiah, we proudly embrace all who come through our doors with warmth and caring, with an openness to diversity and a commitment to the dignity of each person in our midst.  Our community welcomes and celebrates interfaith couples and families, LGBTQ individuals and families, Jews of color, and people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important not only in how we welcome and celebrate all the people in our community, but also how we think about our curriculum in JQuest.  We strive to include learning about a wide array of Jewish backgrounds and experiences.  We teach not only about Ashkenazi history and customs, but also about Sefardi and Mizrachi history and customs. In our 5th and 6th grade tracks, our students learn about Jews from all around the world, such as the Jews of Ethiopia, of India, of Morocco.  We strive to include books and stories and pictures of the full diversity of Jewish families in North America and around the world. Whoever you are, and whatever your background and connection to Judaism may be, we hope you will find your place in Temple Isaiah’s “Jewish Neighborhood” and in JQuest.

Testimonials

“My daughter is part of the nature/Teva program and she has loved it! I enjoy hearing stories about the creative ways Teva incorporates Jewish learning - from creating menorahs from scraps (including learning to pouring concrete), debating which animals belonged on the ark (why skunks?!) to learning about Passover by creating a real seder plate. She has really enjoyed the experiential learning. The class has brought Judaism to life for her in a meaningful way. She looks forward to class every week.”

“The rabbis are amazing - very positive and creative and open to feedback. I also like the tracks, which allow for smaller classes and kids following their interests.”

“I love the inclusive and multi-faceted approach to Jewish education that JQuest takes. My son was hesitant to go - who wants to take on another activity? - And some mornings were rough to start, but once we got to tefillah, it always and instantly changed. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time my son and I share Sundays, as it has had a very positive impact on our communication and relationship.” -JQuest Parent

“JQuest is an improved approach, especially compared to how a lot of us experienced religious school a generation ago.”

“JQuest facilities are second to none and the entire staff could not be any more dedicated. When kids connect with teachers, and the curriculum, it turns into an opportunity to also develop deeper relationships of the heart- with people, shared practices, and our entire Jewish community. I am certain that feeling rubs off and makes my child proud to be Jewish.” 

“The strengths of JQuest are multiple modalities and entry points of interest that make growing as a Jewish child (and adult) meaningful, fun, interesting and motivating. That’s what builds community.”

“JQuest must be great if I can use *not* going as a bargaining chip for good behavior!”

“The education at JQuest is excellent and I am very happy with the topics and the method of teaching.”

“I like JQuest’s flexiblity and understanding of the busy lives of temple members.”

“Fun activities for the kids, in a positive Jewish atmosphere.”

“I like the positive environment and great energy. The emphasis and importance of Judaism, tradition, and ‘Jewish Neighborhood’ is amazing.”

“The Hebrew Boot Camp was an entertaining and refreshing way to learn the Hebrew alphabet! I appreciated that it could be done at home with a family member.” 

“My Hebrew School memories include tedious workbooks and homework.  I was worried about how I was going to keep my son motivated and how to keep his Jewish education a positive experience.  JQuest is the answer!  The program allows for a child to develop their Jewish identity, values and culture in fun and creative way. JQuest focuses on making our children better human beings rather than just a proficiency in reading Hebrew.”

“I love that the kids have fun in JQuest. They do lots of fun activities all while learning and making connections with friends.”

“I witnessed the light bulb going off when my son decoded Hebrew for the first time during Hebrew Boot Camp. He was excited when he recognized the words from Tefillah and Jewish life vocabulary learned in JQuest.”

“Temple Isaiah is welcoming, with great programs, lots for kids to do… JQuest is the reason we joined and we’re very happy!”

“Best. Place. Ever!”

“Hebrew Boot Camp gave my daughter and me a chance to bring all her JQuest hebrew experience together and quickly advance to be a hebrew reader. Easy, fun, and a great memory from her Bat Mitzvah preparation that we will have forever.”

“Being an Avodah TA means helping my community and practicing leadership.” -JQuest Teen