KEVA PROGRAM
Shammai would say, “Make the study of Torah a set priority [keva]; Say little, and do much; and receive every person with a pleasant face. – Pirkei Avot 1:15
The KEVA Program is designed to encourage adult Jewish learning by providing learners with attainable Jewish educational goals and appropriate recognition from the Union for Reform Judaism.
AWARDS
KEVA
The Union’s Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning awards the KEVA Certificate of Recognition to individuals who complete 100 hours of adult Jewish study.
CHAVER KEVA
The Union’s Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning awards the CHAVER KEVA Certificate of Recognition to individuals who complete 365 hours of adult Jewish study, which corresponds to setting aside a fixed time for study for each day of the year.
TALMUD TORAH
The Union’s Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning awards the TALMUD TORAH CITATION to a congregation after at least 10% of its adult members earn KEVA certificates . This percentage will be determined by information provided by individual congregations.
ENROLLMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Congregations must enroll in the program by completing a registration form. in order for its members to be eligible for KEVA recognition. Only individuals who are members of Union congregations qualify for these awards. An appointed professional in the congregation (such as the Rabbi, Cantor, or Educator) supervises the program, approving the hours logged by the adult learner and submits it to the Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning by mail. Download and print out the log.* Please send completed log sheets at least one month before certificates are needed.
Hours may be earned in adult education opportunities that are sponsored or co-sponsored by a Union-affiliated congregation or local Jewish facility. In addition, KEVA credits can accrue through inter-congregational and Union for Reform Judaism regional and national programs such as Sh’liach K’hilah, Union for Reform Judaism kallot and guided personal study. There is no time limit for accumulating hours.
EARNING KEVA CREDITS
One of the goals of the program is to commit to the continued pursuit of Jewish knowledge. Participants are encouraged to earn these hours through frequent communal study. Guidelines for determining credits follow.
- Talmud Torah
Credit corresponds to hours of study completed (one hour = one credit). Possible study opportunities include:
- Continuing education courses and lectures.
- Adult b’nei mitzvah or adult confirmation (a maximum of 50 hours).
- Tutorial sessions with congregational rabbi, cantor or educator.
- Chavurah study sessions.
- Union or Union-Affiliate Adult Study Programs, such as 10 Minutes of Torah. One year of 10 Minutes of Torah daily study can earn up to 50 KEVA credits!
- Kallot
Participants may earn a maximum of 10 hours of credit for each Union-sponsored Kallah they attend.
- Educational Travel
Participants may earn up to 10 hours of credit for travel to unique Jewish communities and historic sites for a maximum of 40 hours in travel-related credit. Travel should be documented in a brief summary paper.
- Independent Study
Credit may be earned through independent study after consulting with the congregational rabbi, cantor, or temple educator to design and evaluate program.
- Judaic Studies on a College Level
15 hours of credit will be granted for each credit earned in a Judaica course at an accredited college or university.
- General College Studies
Up to 15 hours of credit will be granted for each credit earned in a general studies course at an accredited college or university if the student submits an essay or term project to their congregational sponsor, relating the subject to Jewish Religious Thought, Reform Judaism, Tanach (Bible), Jewish History, or Jewish Education.
