Orot Center

Mindful Parenting Through Jewish Wisdom

Orot Center offers innovative programming that blends Jewish wisdom, mindfulness, and positive parenting tools to support parental well-being. Its signature Peaceful Parent program has evolved from online group-based offerings during COVID-19 to comprehensive support for raising Jewish families with intention and presence.

Small Group Innovation: The Peaceful Parent Project

Orot is piloting a groundbreaking peer-led model of its successful Peaceful Parent program, launching at least eight groups with a minimum of eight participants each. This represents a shift from its traditional educator-led, fee-based model to accessible, relationship-driven community formation where facilitators recruit from their personal networks of friends and fellow parents.

Groups meet eight times over approximately eight months, pacing sessions monthly or every three weeks based on group preference. Offered at no cost during the pilot, the program emphasizes accountability and full participation, with minimum attendance set at six out of eight sessions. Participants receive printed journals and “kavanah cards” for self-reflection and home practice.

Orot applies Jewish texts and traditions to guide parents in self-reflection and intentional parenting

Practical Jewish Wisdom for Parents

Orot applies Jewish texts and traditions to guide parents in self-reflection and intentional parenting, focusing on the needs of parents themselves rather than children. Its approach helps parents better understand themselves during interactions with their children, offering accessible tools rooted in Jewish wisdom and mindfulness.

Each session follows a structured peer-facilitated format: 15-minute opening ritual (journaling, check-ins, or prompts), 20 minutes of text and group learning combining Jewish and parenting texts, hands-on practice/application exercises focusing on real-life implementation, and closing ritual reflecting on “What am I going to do with this?” The curriculum integrates relevant Jewish texts with modern parenting wisdom, designed for accessibility regardless of Jewish background.

Peer-to-Peer Leadership Model

Orot recruits facilitators from prior participants and its educator community, seeking individuals familiar with the program who can convene groups from existing networks. It deliberately includes people without educational or Jewish leadership backgrounds, emphasizing relationship-based outreach over public recruitment.

Facilitators participate in a one-hour training covering curriculum, class setup, and resources, and they receive ongoing coaching through check-ins and support calls. They also receive $300 stipends contingent on full participation in training, facilitation, and feedback submission. As full participants rather than traditional teachers, facilitators embody the collaborative learning spirit that makes peer-led Jewish parenting support both sustainable and deeply meaningful.