Tkiya – To support a national expansion of the organization’s training program that prepares cohorts of educators to implement participatory Jewish music experiences for young children and families in their communities.

How does Tkiya integrate music, singing, and Jewish learning?

At Tkiya, Jewish learning takes place through thoughtfully crafted participatory music experiences. We use songs, movement, storytelling, props, and interaction to help people connect with Jewish culture, values, and practice in ways that feel joyful, accessible, and relevant across the whole spectrum of Jewishness. Our programs are designed to flow with attention span and create entry points for all different learning styles. Using music as the  vehicle for Jewish learning helps people feel comfortable, participate actively, and build familiarity with Jewish life through shared experience.

What is the key to empowering educators to teach using the Tkiya method?

The key is an understanding of what we call “activity targets.” We categorize all songs by how participants are expected to engage with it – and every moment in a lesson plan needs to have a “how.” Some activities have a visual component, some are full body movement, seated movement, tactile, etc. Another big piece of our training is around transitions. The moments between songs give us a huge opportunity for engagement, connection, and learning. Tkiya’s training prepares educators to plan out these transition moments, and it also gives them the tools to be able to think on their feet to use the in-between moments to an educational advantage. 

What are you most excited to see as an impact of your program?

It’s really exciting to watch these educators transform over the course of the cohort experience and beyond. There’s a moment when it clicks for them, and it’s really special to see. Often it’s the first time they try singing a book instead of just reading it, the first time they bring a puppet into the classroom, or the first time they use one of our planning templates. Hearing educators describe those “wow” moments—when they see what’s truly possible with the right toolkit—makes me emotional every time.