The L.A. Pincus Fund for Jewish Education in the Diaspora

Two boys in the Jewish After-School Program, Malmo, Sweden

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Jewish After-School Program, Malmo, Sweden

Location:Malmö, Sweden
Name of implementing organization:Förening Judisk Fritid
Date of initial project approval:October 2011

Brief description of the local Jewish community

 
There are approximately 650 members in the local Jewish community. It is estimated that an additional 1,300 local Jews are not members of the community. Thus, approximately 2,000 Jews live in southern Sweden. The community is served by a Jewish kindergarten; the  B'nei Akiva youth movement; Wizo; Hakoah Sport Club; Chabad; and a  Jewish culture organization.

Recently, there was a split within the Orthodox community, creating two synagogues.  Also, the local community board recently decided not to bring JAFI shlichot for the school year 2011-12.

Project aims and objectives

To  provide  an   after-school  framework  for  children  within  a  Jewish
environment, which will teach Jewish Tradition and values, and strengthen
Jewish identity.

Project Description

The project established an after-school program for primary school children, ages 6-12. The program teaches Jewish History, about the State of Israel, Jewish holidays, and Hebrew. Creative activities reinforce formal instruction. The program includes Jewish Music, Arts & Crafts for Jewish holidays, and Drama. It also provides sports, outings and homework time.The children also visit the synagogue, and the elderly.
 
The program is open three afternoons each week and currently has 11 registered participants. Parents are encouraged to share their input about how the program is structured and should operate. The project cooperates with the Jewish community’s education board, so that the existing local Cheder and this program can complement each other.
 
The Project Director devotes 2 hours per day to management and administration, and teaches for 4 hours per day. A second teacher works as needed, on an hourly basis. The JAFI shlichot have worked in the program.

Main budget elements

  • Teacher's Salary
  • Teacher & student material
  • Food 
  • Outings

The project's successes

  • The program has built a strong Jewish social group
  • The children’s knowledge of Judaism has reached new levels.
  • The children have “lived” the Jewish year, both by experience and through learning.
  • Both parents and children have been extremely satisfied!

Difficulties encountered along the way

  • It has been difficult to find a second teacher with the flexibility to work on an hourly  basis.
  • The location which has been made available by the Jewish community hosts another activity before the end of the program. At that point, the group participating in this project must move to another location.

Contact information for anyone seeking further information about the project:

Miriam Fridman
Kamrergatan 11, 211 56 Malmo, Sweden

Telephone/fax: +46 (0) 707 22 53 26

judiskfritid@gmail.com