B’nai Mitzvah preparation and confirmation are taught by the Director of the Desert Outreach Synagogue’s school, Arava Talve, a Jewish educator for over 25 years. Arva has led more than 500 youth and adult students on their journey to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Arava also teaches confirmation and, as the director of our school, is very excited about sharing the beauty of our Jewish tradition with our youth.
To prepare our youth for leadership opportunities, Arava facilitates a Learner’s Minyan during the the final half our of class. Parents join the students in prayer as they share their growing knowledge and participate in Keva (chanting the prayers) and Kavannah (sharing what the prayers mean to them). Our school has a library program to facilitate intergenerational learning, special art projects and a music program focusing on Jewish folk songs. Songs and music feature some new and creative tunes currently used in reform shuls around the country.