Without Walls


          Without Walls is an organization started by Kvutzat Orev, a Hashomer Hatzair communa in New York City. Without Walls has been flourishing in New York for three years, and is now beginning in Canada as well in the form of the Kesher School.

Without Walls brings democratic, learner-centered educational programming to Jewish supplementary schools, day schools, and synagogues in North America. Based on the values of equity, community, and social responsibility our in-school programs and weekend retreats encourage youth to engage with their communities and find personal connection to Judaism, Jewish peoplehood, and Israel.


Our educators are young, dynamic, and extensively trained to provide high-quality activities for youth and young adults. We offer programming in three content areas: social justice, Israel, and Teva (nature and the environment). Beyond these three over arching themes, Without Walls provides a framework for group-building, community activism, and social justice that extends beyond the learning environment and into the lives of our participants.

 

Over the past three years, Without Walls has worked with many different Jewish institutions, including Jewish supplementary schools, synagogues, and a non-Jewish high school. We have employed over a dozen educators for a variety of different projects, including Bnai Mitzvah programs, Israel programs, group-building seminars, overnight trips, social justice education, and community service-learning projects.

 

Without Walls has received support from the Covenant Foundation (www.covenantfn.org) and is administered by the progressive Zionist youth movement Hashomer Hatzair (www.HashomerHatzair.org or www.hhnabogrim.com). Without Walls also has a branch which works with non Jewish youth, in the areas of group-building, community activism, and social justice.