Natan Kuchar is the Director of Communications & Community Engagement at Oakland Hebrew Day School, and is celebrated for creating special moments for students, faculty and community members to learn, connect and grow. Previous roles include Assistant Director of Youth Development at JFCS San Francisco, Director of Edah, and Music Director at JCHS of the Bay. Natan brings together communities in song, focusing on creativity and joyful experiences. He has a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music, and a Certificate in Arts Integration from the Alameda County Office of Education. Natan was honoured by Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín for his outstanding contribution to the arts, is a Pomegranate Prize recipient and a fellow in the M² Senior Educators Cohort 7.
Session 1
How To Make Friends: Create Metal Embossing Art That Reflects Jewish Partnership
One Jewish perspective about friendship is based on the model of chevruta - a partner who is able to provide direct feedback. Interestingly, the Talmud uses the metaphor of the practice of a blacksmith to help illustrate this. Learn basic metalwork skills and craft a piece that synthesizes a deepened understanding of Jewish friendship.
Session 2
It's Not All Black & White: Using Shadow Theatre to Understand the Nuance of Na'aseh V'Nishma
When the Israelites accepted the Torah on Mount Sinai, they famously called out Na'aseh V'Nishma (We will do and we will listen), but what did Bnei Yisrael means by these two simple words? Learn to create and then perform mini shadow theatre productions that reflect the richness of these verses of Torah.