The Spiritskool Rhythm

Every Spiritskool afternoon starts with a relaxation session which would include jyoga/meditation/team work/bonding session.

For those who have never experienced it, our meditation is a guided reflection experience facilitated by our staff. Meditation not only allows the child to look inside her/himself for insights and knowledge; but also to rise above the day-to-day bustle of life and look for higher meaning and purpose. Also, your child has attended school all day and need some time to tune into themselves and transition into our Jewish environment. After 15 minutes of peace they are ready and able to learn/experience more effectively.

The look and feel of Spiritskool includes: ‘Yoga’ mats; quiet introspection time; cuisine lab; group experiences like bongo drumming, candle making, study kits, drama, Israel map reading and more.

Spiritskool classes are fast moving and rotational i.e. students change activities a number of times in the one afternoon. No stagnation or boredom for Spiritskool students!

The Spiritskool Curriculum

Spiritskool has developed a meaningful and total Jewish curriculum that enables students to make significant strides in their personal development. The themes cover:

• Jewish values in a changing world: In a world where values and principles are being eroded, children must be equipped with a moral compass to guide their lives.
• Jewish customs, traditions and personalities: Your child will have choices in life – only if she/he is given a choice. Your child will gain knowledge of Jewish history, laws and traditions, learn about great Jewish leaders, and know how to explore a Jewish library spanning two thousand years.
• Jewish holy days and calendar: Your child will be given a multi-dimensional approach to the Yom Tovim and know how to conduct a Pesach Seder, conduct a Chanukah candle lighting, build a Sukkah, light Shabbat candles, and make Kiddush.
• The Wisdom of Shabbat: In a world of increasing pressure, stress, and challenge, the capacity to utilize one day of the week for spiritual rejuvenation and introspection is essential. Your child will be taught the depth of potential within Shabbat.
• Traditional Jewish Foods: In addition to learning general cuisine skills, your child will become familiar with traditional Sefardi and Ashkenazi dishes. Much of Judaism can be learned through the kitchen e.g. - festival dishes, kashrut, Shabbat traditions, charity through food, the spiritual spark within foods, and cooking with love.
• Making Synagogue a Comfort Zone: It is important that your child become familiar with services and prayers so that attendance at Synagogue will not be an embarrassing or boring or meaningless experience.
• Excursions and ‘incursions’: A program of excursions that augment the studies enhances the child’s creative studies in Spiritskool. ‘Incursions’ include visits by gifted professional guests who will use their expertise to guide, inspire and educate, e.g. a special guest session by a professional musician or by a scribe, or by a leading chef.
• Love for Israel and local community service: The ethos of Spiritskool will emphasize the need to support and defend our fellow Jews in the holy land as well as to provide loyal service to our own community and Australia in general. The meaning of responsible citizenship, contribution and service is accorded a special place in the syllabus. We ensure that your child learns how to be a proud Jew as well as a good citizen.

Bracha Kantor

Under the guidance of Mrs Bracha Kantor, Spiritskool has grown into Melbourne’s fastest growing Jewish extra curricular program.

Bracha has thought carefully about strategies that leave a positive and exciting Jewish imprint on Jewish children – children who today have a higher expectation in changed technological conditions of the twenty first century.

Bracha is not only a seasoned teacher and educational administrator, but equally importantly she is a mother and wife raising a youthful family of her own.