Welcome to

Nisayon at Beth Shalom Austin

Empower. Engage. Excel.

Programs

EXPLORATORY

Nisayon invites students to learn by doing—engaging in hands-on, experiential opportunities that bring Jewish ideas and values to life. Through celebrating Shabbat and holidays together, exploring personal and family heritage, cooking traditional Jewish foods, and participating in meaningful rituals, learners actively experience what it means to live Jewishly. This approach cultivates curiosity and creativity as central tools in building a personal connection to Jewish tradition.

PERSONALIZED

Recognizing that each child is unique, Nisayon offers a range of elective experiences that allow students to shape their own Jewish journeys. Learners have choices in what they study and how they engage, which fosters a sense of ownership and intrinsic motivation. This personalized model ensures that every student can find a path that feels relevant and meaningful to them.

EMPOWERING

Nisayon is built on the belief that students thrive when they are trusted with responsibility and voice in their learning. The program creates space for children to lead, create, and contribute, building confidence and self-awareness. Through choice and action, learners come to see themselves as capable participants in Jewish life—today and in the future.

REFLECTIVE

Jewish learning in Nisayon is not just about doing—it's also about thinking deeply. Students are regularly invited to reflect on their experiences and ask: What does this mean to me? How does this connect to Jewish values or teachings? What impact does this have on my community? These moments of reflection deepen understanding and support the development of a strong, thoughtful Jewish identity.

Our Approach

At Nisayon—Hebrew for “experience”—we believe that the most powerful Jewish learning happens when students are active participants in their own journey. Our approach is grounded in experiential, student-driven learning that encourages curiosity, creativity, and personal connection.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all curriculum, Nisayon offers learners the opportunity to choose from a range of hands-on workshops that explore what it means to live a meaningful Jewish life. Whether through celebrating Shabbat and holidays, uncovering their own family’s Jewish stories, preparing traditional foods, engaging in social action, or creating Jewish art, students experience Judaism in ways that are relevant, joyful, and rooted in real life.

Our model is:

Exploratory – Students engage with Jewish tradition through doing, creating, and celebrating.
Personalized – Learners follow paths that reflect their interests and passions.
Empowering – Children are given the tools and trust to take ownership of their Jewish identity.
Reflective – Students pause to make meaning of their experiences, deepening their understanding and sense of belonging.

Nisayon inspires students not just to learn about Judaism, but to live it—with confidence, intention, and joy.