Learn

0-5

K'tan Tan

One Sunday a month, families with children ages 0-5 gather for a morning of playful exploration and community connection. Each month we explore a Jewish theme through hands-on activities, music and story. Check out this year's dates and themes and register here.

K’tan Tan Dates for 2025

14
SEP

Happy New Year

10:00AM - 11:30AM
19
OCT

Challah Bake & Shabbat Play

10:00AM - 11:30AM
9
NOV

Todah/Gratitudes

10:00AM - 11:30AM
14
DEC

Hanukkah Light

10:00AM - 11:30AM

PRE-K

Gan Gani

Our weekly Sunday morning pre-K program runs parallel to religious school, offering our three and four year-olds a chance to get comfortable at synagogue, create lifelong friends, and begin playing with Judaism. To learn more contact Director of Congregational Learning Sue Bojdak at:

k-7

Religious School

At Tikvah, we explore Judaism with curiosity and playfulness while building community, connecting to our heritage, and developing a sense of ourselves as Jews. We empower each child with the skills to engage in Jewish life both within the synagogue and in the world.

Our Sunday morning program for children in grades K-6 is organized around school-wide themes, such as Jewish Stories, Rituals, Ethics in Action, and Torah. In ten-week units, we unpack each theme through whole-community tfillah/prayer, grade-based classroom time, and mixed-age student-choice activities like art, music, theater, and cooking. We have weekly recess, monthly Pizza, Play & Gaga, plus a Sunday afternoon youth band to support children's social development and connections. Students in grades 4-6 also attend weekly 45-minute, small-group, after-school Hebrew tutoring with options for in-person or online learning and choices about days and times.

Students in 7th grade have their own Sunday morning program, which serves as a group learning counterbalance to the individualized b'nai mitzvah tutoring and preparation that most are engaged in during this year. Their learning focuses on more mature topics such as the Holocaust and Comparative Religion. Their program includes field trips, guest speakers, and robust opportunities to deepen their sense of community.

Family learning for children in all grades includes our monthly first Friday family service with Shabbat dinner and children's leadership, community havdalah events, and a Shabbat morning teaching service for people age 10+. Embedded in our Sunday morning program are family holiday programs such as sukkah building and our Purim carnival. Through family Shabbat and holiday programs, we learn our tradition by practicing together in real time.

For more information, to visit, or register, contact our Director of Congregational Learning, Sue Bojdak, at

6-7

Youth Group

6th and 7th graders spend Sunday afternoons on adventures in the community at least five times a year. Whether at the escape room or the arcade, youth are deepening connections, making new friends, and just enjoying themselves. For youth group dates and details, contact Director of Congregational Learning, Sue Bojdak, at:

2-7

Mesibaba

It’s like an afternoon of camp! Focused on friendships and fun, kids come together to play, create, and connect. Open to grades 2-7, Mesibaba offers five uniquely themed programs on Thursday afternoons throughout the year. Mesibaba is open to everyone; friends and non-members are always welcome. Check out this year's dates and themes and register here.

Mesibaba Schedule 2025-2026

11
SEP

Jewish Chef

4:00PM - 6:00PM
13
NOV

Minute to Win It

4:00PM - 6:00PM
22
JAN

Build It

4:00PM - 6:00PM
19
MAR

Games Galore

4:00PM - 6:00PM
7
MAY

Summer Fun

4:00PM - 6:00PM

teens

Madrichim

Youth in grades 8-12 are invited to participate in our teen teaching assistant program. By supporting teachers and students in the religious school, teens give back to the community, build leadership skills, connect with younger students, and earn a modest stipend. The madrichim program is a year-long commitment to our Sunday morning program. Interested teens should contact Director of Congregational Learning Sue Bojdak at:

8-12

Contra Costa Midrasha

Contra Costa Midrasha is THE place to be on Wednesday nights for Jewish teens to cut loose, relax, hang-out with friends, learn new things and make a difference. CCM is for Jewish teens in grades 8-12 and meets weekly at B'nai Tikvah. There are also weekend retreats & a trip to LA plus additional or alternative programs including Better Together, bringing teens and elders together once a month, Hamsa Project, a philanthropy and civic engagement program, and Sikkunim, Midrasha adventures!

learn

Adult Education

We are always learning at B'nai Tikvah. Adult learning opportunities include weekly text study, adult b'nai mitzvah programs, one-time or multi-session classes offered by our rabbi and educator, guest speakers, and educational programs organized by congregants on topics ranging from Israel to aging. Come and learn with us! For upcoming programs visit our calendar.