Or Hamidbar

Spreading Light in the Desert” is a new program geared towards in-home education for families with young children (ages 2–5) across the Coachella Valley. Participants include families who are largely unaffiliated and often interfaith, and seeking meaningful and accessible ways to engage with Jewish life. These sessions offer personalized, play-based Jewish learning rooted in holidays, rituals, and traditions. Through songs, stories, and hands-on activities, children engage in joyful experiences that nurture curiosity, belonging, and early Jewish identity formation. By meeting families where they are—both physically and spiritually— we eliminate barriers to participation and entry into Jewish life. Ultimately the goals are to create community among families, creating pathways into deeper engagement for each family to explore their cultural and religious identity. Over time, these relationships foster sustained engagement and a growing sense of connection to tradition and community. The program is designed as a long-term investment in each child and family, with the hope that all will have a home in their faith and culture as they grow and experience milestones in their Jewish journey, even if it isn’t in a traditional sense. This program strengthens individual and familial identity, as well as the broader fabric of Jewish life in the Valley.