Alumot

Alumot is Cambridge-based Hebrew center for education and culture, established as a non-profit organisation in September 2017 Alumot welcomes anyone who is interested in learning about Hebrew culture and heritage. 

In March 2025, Alumot became a registered non-profit organization, number 1211959, which includes the education School, the Nahal Scouts, and community activities. A board of trustees will be elected annually by all members of the association (anyone who pays dues to Alumot: Nahal or Shivolim). The team that was built and worked to register Alumot as a non-profit organization will function as the board of trustees in the coming year: Tamara Novis (Chair) Roni Suchovsky Noa Lavie Liora Wilmovsky Hila Tal.

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The purposes of Alumot are:

1. to advance education for the public benefit in the subject of hebrew heritage through the provision of: * classes and lectures for children and adults in a range of subjects such as hebrew language, culture, religion and traditions and values; and * public celebrations of hebrew and jewish festivals

2. to promote the development of young people, in particular but not exclusively hebrew speaking young people, in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens, and as members of their local, national and international communities.

3. the promotion of racial and religious harmony for the public benefit by: * promoting knowledge and mutual understanding between different racial and religious groups; * advancing education and raising awareness about different racial and religious groups to promote good relations between persons of different racial and religious groups;* working towards the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of race and / or religion.

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What we do

Parent-baby creche: Hebrew songs, games and celebrations of the Hebrew heritage are offered to parents and toddlers (age 0-4) are offered every term-time Sunday between 10:30-12:30.

Hebrew classes (Shibolim): Shibolim aspires to equip children with universal and humanistic values, nurturing leadership and social-environmental responsibility, using a curriculum that encourages tolerance and diversity. 

At Shibolim, children of Reception through to Year 4 are taught Hebrew literacy and heritage every term-time Sunday between 10:30-12:30. At the moment we offer only reading and writing classes for children who can get by with Hebrew as the tuition language. After a lunch break, children are welcome to stay for a selection of enrichment clubs in Hebrew (13:00-13:45).

Youth movement - Tzofim (Israeli Scouts): For children in Year 5-12. Meetings every term-time Sunday 10:30-12:30.

Alumot Adults: Between 2-4 monthly meetings are tailored to adults who wish to celebrate the Hebrew heritage, from Hebrew literature to cultural events.

Family events: Celebration of Hebrew and Jewish culture is a big part of Alumot. We celebrate Jewish festivals together.

 

But Alumot is so much more than that

When a member of our community gives birth, we rally to cook meals for her family. When a new family joins, we give them a warm welcome. And when a member is sick and needs help, we chip in. We see it as our mission to promote Jewish values, side by side with core British values.

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How it started

Having lived in Cambridge for several years, a group of Hebrew-speaking parents, realised that there was an unmet need in our Cambridge community. There are roughly 200 Hebrew speaking families living in and around the city, with many keen to retain and continue developing their children's Hebrew language and identity. Adults were also in search for educational activities in their mother-tongue. Alumot started as a Hebrew Sunday school, and quickly developed into a vibrant community for adults, seniors, families, single members, children and babies.

We invite everyone who is interested in learning about, or celebrating the Hebrew and Jewish culture and heritage, listen to modern Israeli music, attend lectures in Hebrew, watch recent Israeli films, and generally interact in our native-tongue, to join our activities. Hebrew is much more than a language for us. It’s our heritage. This is the basic premise behind Alumot.

 

The name ‘Alumot’

We named the organisation Alumot (in Hebrew: rays; sheaves), as it hopes to be a guiding ray of light for Hebrew-speaking families, and a community which bundles into sheaves everyone who values the Hebrew language and the Jewish culture.

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An integral part of the Jewish community

The link to the local Jewish community is one of the core principles of Alumot. We strive to work together with the Jewish community on festivals and on numerous other occasions.

 

How we are funded

Alumot is a not-for-profit organisation. All activities are funded by membership fees, and are run by volunteers. We believe the community should be driven by its members and shaped by their interests, talents and skills. Parent involvement in Alumot is entirely voluntary, with everyone contributing to the extent and way they can - ensuring kids’ safety and security, organising festive activities on Jewish holidays, hikes and more. 

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Contact us

For more information and any questions email:

yairperry@gmail.com  for scouts related queries

shaked@alumot.uk  for Shibolim (crèche + Sunday school)

tamara@alumot.uk for general organisation related queries