Introduction - During the 2020-2021 academic year, @akiva is taking a different approach to our Scholars in Residence program. We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed what bringing guests to Cleveland will look like, and have shifted the program to focus on small groups, hybrid learning, and initiatives that reach learners in both traditional and non-traditional ways. Understanding that the pandemic has led to a rise in feelings of isolation and the need for connection, we are excited to provide opportunities for our partners and community to explore content and process through a variety of programs.

Festival of Light (December 10 - 18) - Surrounding Chanukah, our content focus will be on the Holocaust and moving from darkness to light. On December 14, we will host our annual teen Zikaron Ba’Salon commemoration, which will bring groups of teens together with Holocaust survivors and their descendants (in a socially distant way) to hear stories of survival and to reflect on their own Jewish identities. During Chanukah, we will also offer performances by the 2019-2020 Testimony Theater cohort, and will have small group discussions and activities with the community Shin Shinim about ways to bring and be the light as Jewish teens, which will include an outdoor bonfire/Israeli song night, socially distant candle making, and more.

Impact Israel (March 8 - 12) - @akiva remains committed to providing Cleveland’s Jewish teens with meaningful ways to engage with Israel. During our Impact Israel week, we will take teens on a virtual tour of Israel, including Israeli cooking classes with master chefs, flyovers of the North and South, and opportunities to meet and hear from Israelis directly. As part of our overall Israel advocacy/impact focus for the year, we will also offer lobbying days (either virtually or in person) during the week of March 1 - 5, which will include training sessions with AIPAC Leadership Staff, meetings with local representatives, and an exploration of the issues impacting American Jews and the US-Israel relationship.

Front Porch Music Festival (April 11-18) - As the weather turns warmer and we start to enjoy the outdoors, @akiva will bring local musicians to different homes/institutions around the community to meet with small pods of learners in a socially distanced way. The musicians come from the Cleveland community, and will be available to run musical workshops. Each workshop will also include a Shin Shin, who will connect the content to Israel.

Spoken Word Creative Arts Festival (May 10 - 18) - We believe that after a year of the ‘new normal’ of COVID-19, we will have lots to reflect on. This festival will be a chance for teens to hear from contemporary poets, artists, and speakers, as well as to contribute their own thoughts, all of which will culminate in a TED Talks-style speaking opportunity.