MAKOM SPACE
After-School Creative Arts Programs for Jewish Children
A place where children find their voice.
Makom Space is an after-school creative arts program where children connect with Jewish values and with each other — through music, art, and nature. And find the courage to share what's inside them.
With Generous support from "The Fund for the Jewish Future" of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Makom means "place" in Hebrew — and that's exactly what this is.
A place for your child to explore their Jewish identity through creativity. A place where art and music aren't extras — they're the language. A place where every child is seen, heard, and reminded that they are made in the image of God.
Makom Space currently offers two distinct after-school programs:
🎶 Makom Voice — Music as a form of self expression & a way to connect to Jewish identity
🌱 Makom Nature — An outdoor crafts program with a Jewish twist
Both programs are grounded in the same belief: that creativity is how children access what's real, what's sacred, and what's uniquely theirs.
Makom Nature
Get your hands dirty. Learn something ancient. With a Jewish twist.
Like learning by doing? Then this program is for you.
Here's something most people don't think about — thousands of years ago Jewish people weren't sitting at desks.
They were outside. Hands in the dirt. Weaving. Sewing. Planting. Harvesting. Getting to know the outside world.
When Jewish wisdom invited them to save a corner of their field for the poor — they didn't just think about it. They walked outside and did it. We are excited to bring this ancient wisdom to life! In Makom Nature, kids connect to nature and Jewish values by doing. Planting seeds. Felting wool. Making food. We're bringing the stories off the page and into their hands.
Can you imagine participating in the same practices as your great grandparents? Or how about making your own Jewish ritual objects? The goal isn't to imitate, its to innovate, with a deep understand and appreciation for our past, present and future. And here's the best part — because the whole curriculum is hands-on and craft-based, your child comes home every week with something they made. New skills. New knowledge. And something cool to show you at the dinner table. The semester wraps up with a Hanukkah celebration — a chance for the kids to share everything they've learned, made, and discovered together. 🕎
What you'll do:
✦ Learn hands-on skills rooted in Jewish tradition — the way our ancestors actually lived it
✦ Take home crafts and creations connected to the weekly Torah portion
✦ Plant, build, weave, cook, and create with your own two hands
✦ Connect with other Jewish kids who'd rather make something than sit still
✦ Build a deeper connection to your Jewish identity — one you can actually feel
Celebrate it all at the end-of-semester Hanukkah celebration Judaism can be found in your backyard
The Details:
Semester 1: October 5th – December 7th
3:30– 6:00 PM
Ages | 6–12
Location | The Shabbat Club |
| $180 per child |
All materials provided. No experience necessary — just curious hands and an open heart.
Financial accommodations are available for families who need it. No child will be turned away. With Generous support from "The Fund for the Jewish Future" of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Makom Voice
Your voice matters. Let's hear it.
Makom Voice is a space for children to connect with their Jewish identity through song, creativity and self expression. It is a place where you can discover your voice and all its many colors - AND LET THE WORLD HERE IT!
Our voices and our bodies will be a playground, climbing up the ladder of ancient Hebrew texts and Jewish music and riding down the slide of fun and authenticity. The curriculum was developed by Israeli Music Therapist, Michal Duenias and will be facilitated by Makom Space Co-Founder and Educator, Ariela Yomtovian.
Makom Voice is a place for children to develop a connection to their unique voice, nurture their Jewish identity and build community. And the best part? The semester ends with a celebratory Hanukkah concert on Tuesday, December 8th — your moment to invite family and friends to witness your song, your story and yourself!
What you'll do:
✦ Sing — a lot. Jewish music, Hebrew text, songs that get inside your bones
✦ Learn how to to improv and make the song yours - everyone has a unique flavor. What is yours?
✦ Connect with Jewish identity and sacred text through the most natural thing in the world — your own voice
✦ Build something together with other children who love music as much as you do
✦ Perform at the Hanukkah concert — the stage is yours
The Details:
Semester 1: October 6th – December 10th
Semester 2: January 5th - May 25th
4:15 – 5:15 PM Optional Hang Time 3:45 – 4:15 PM (snack + hang out before rehearsal)
Ages | 6–11
Location | The Shabbat Club |
| $180 per child |
Financial accommodations are available for families who need it. No child will be turned away. Reach out to us and we'll make it work. With Generous support from "The Fund for the Jewish Future" of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
WHY MAKOM SPACE?
This isn't Sunday school. This isn't babysitting. This is something different.
Most children learn about Judaism through books and rules. At Makom Space, they learn through their hands, their voices, and their imaginations.
They don't just hear about being made in the image of God — they experience it. Through a song they helped shape. Through a piece of art that came from somewhere real inside them. Through the moment they share something with the group and realize their voice matters.
That's what makom means. Not just a place on a map — but a place where your child feels like they belong.
WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT
✦ Creativity is the curriculum. Music and art aren't add-ons. They're how we learn, explore, and connect.
✦ Jewish identity through experience, not lecture. Children access their Judaism through doing, making, singing, and sharing.
✦ A space for every child. No matter their background, affiliation, or experience level — every child is welcome exactly as they are.
✦ Healthy snacks. We believe that the snacks we provide should fuel our children's bodies and minds and spirits, that's why we provide only healthy snacks with no added sugar or natural flavors. (If your child has a dietary restriction please let us know before their first day.)
✦ Backed by the Federation. Makom Space received a $30,000 grant — a powerful testament to the vision and credibility of these programs.
✦ Built by The Shabbat Club. The same community that's become a home for Jewish women in Cleveland is now building something just as meaningful for their children.
Ariela Yomtovian
Founder
Ariela Sharon Yomtovian is the Founder of the Shabbat Club. She has been a Jewish Educator for over 10 years working internationally with students of all different backgrounds. She has taught in collaboration with Hadar Institute, Jewish Studio Project, At the Well, The Eden Center, Bnai Jeshurun, Moishe House and more. Intimacy, with people, the earth and G!d is what awakens her soul, moving her to create spaces and moments like the Shabbat Club. Ariela lives in Cleveland with her Husband, Aryeh, and her four daughters.
Ariela Sharon Yomtovian is the Founder of the Shabbat Club. She has been a Jewish Educator for over 10 years working internationally with students of all different backgrounds. She has taught in collaboration with Hadar Institute, Jewish Studio Project, At the Well, The Eden Center, Bnai Jeshurun, Moishe House and more. Intimacy, with people, the earth and G!d is what awakens her soul, moving her to create spaces and moments like the Shabbat Club. Ariela lives in Cleveland with her Husband, Aryeh, and her four daughters.
(Follow her here: @olam_mama)
(Follow her here: @olam_mama)
Alina Kuperman
House Manager
Hi, I’m Alina Kuperman. Born in Ukraine, raised in the heart of Brooklyn, and now calling Shaker Heights home, my life is a beautiful mix of chaos and creativity. Before trading my scrubs for full-time motherhood to my three amazing kids, I worked as a nurse. These days, I channel my passion for care and connection into arts, crafts, and food rescue nonprofit work. When I’m not helping reduce food waste in the community or experimenting with a new art project, you can find me in the kitchen cooking up a meal to bring family and friends together.
Hi, I’m Alina Kuperman. Born in Ukraine, raised in the heart of Brooklyn, and now calling Shaker Heights home, my life is a beautiful mix of chaos and creativity. Before trading my scrubs for full-time motherhood to my three amazing kids, I worked as a nurse. These days, I channel my passion for care and connection into arts, crafts, and food rescue nonprofit work. When I’m not helping reduce food waste in the community or experimenting with a new art project, you can find me in the kitchen cooking up a meal to bring family and friends together.
Michal Duenias
Curriculum Development for Makom Voice
Michal Duenias loves music and believes that it is a wonderful way to connect with others. She is a music therapist (M.A.), educator and musician from Israel. She has spent many years creating musical experiences for children and young people that encourage connection, expression and play. She is also the founder of Acoustic Groove, a live music series that has been creating intimate musical experiences for over a decade. She is excited to create this program and bring together music, connection and Jewish culture in a playful and meaningful way.
Amit Shuck
Nature Educator
Amit Shuck is the founder of Imitating Eden, an organization designed to teach communities sustainable life skills while building community connectedness. The organization uses an urban permaculture model. Permaculture is famous for its food forests, where forests are built to naturally provide all of our needs. The name “Imitating Eden” was inspired by the kabalistic concept of “itaruta d’letata.” Meaning, our actions bring more godliness into the world, and thus by Imitating Gan Eden, we can bring that energy back into the world. Amit has worked in environmental education for about 25 years including working for the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, restoring Gearity Elementary School’s Garden, and building an Educational Food Forest at Coit Road Farmer’s Market. She has taught Jewish education both formally and with her two kids for 15 years.
Amit Shuck is the founder of Imitating Eden, an organization designed to teach communities sustainable life skills while building community connectedness. The organization uses an urban permaculture model. Permaculture is famous for its food forests, where forests are built to naturally provide all of our needs. The name “Imitating Eden” was inspired by the kabalistic concept of “itaruta d’letata.” Meaning, our actions bring more godliness into the world, and thus by Imitating Gan Eden, we can bring that energy back into the world. Amit has worked in environmental education for about 25 years including working for the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, restoring Gearity Elementary School’s Garden, and building an Educational Food Forest at Coit Road Farmer’s Market. She has taught Jewish education both formally and with her two kids for 15 years.
QUESTIONS?
Have questions about the programs, registration, age ranges, or anything else? We'd love to hear from you.
The Shabbat Club · Cleveland, Ohio
A place to explore the intersection of our Jewishness with our womanhood — through creativity, song, and real community.
The Shabbat club is fiscally sponsored by Beloved Builders, Inc.
The Shabbat club is fiscally sponsored by Beloved Builders, Inc.
- a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
- a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization