Youth Services

On most Shabbat mornings during the school year, we have a full program of age-appropriate services for pre-schoolers and school aged children. We offer three youth services from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (Check the calendar for the most up to date youth service schedule.)

Each of the three services offers a significantly different davening experience for children. We invite each family to select the service that best meets their child’s learning needs.

Swing, Sway, Dance & Pray Family Shabbat Experience (Room 16)

Betsy White leads an active Shabbat experience for students in the primary grades, accompanied by an adult. This service engages the imaginative minds and active bodies of young daveners through multi-sensory prayer experiences, songs, stories and activities. The service concludes with a mini-Kiddush.

Davening through Storytelling, Drama and Discussion (Room 18)

Mr. Lichtman leads a service that features a new siddur, Siddur Kol Ha-Noar (Voices of Children), and combines prayer, storytelling, creative dramatics and discussion. In this service the emerging curiosity, developing ability to engage in conceptual conversations, and expanding attention span of elementary students allow for a more in-depth exploration of the Shabbat morning liturgy.

Mature Student Daveners (Chapel)

This service combines the ruach of Shabbat at Jewish overnight camp with dynamic discussions based on the parasha hashavuah (weekly Torah portion) and interactive games. Led by Emily Farbman, this service engages maturing students in developing prayer leadership skills, in thinking critically about ethical questions and in creating their own davening community.

Parents are welcome to join their children at any of these services. Whether or not a youth service is scheduled, children are warmly invited to come to synagogue on Shabbat mornings with their parents and to participate and sing along in our dynamic and energetic regular worship service.

To make it possible for parents of young children to attend services, babysitting is available from 10:00 a.m. to noon for children over age 2.

Shabbat Yeladim

Shabbat morning services are fun for our youngest members with singing, marching, activities, silliness, and prayers led by Karen Cohen. Shabbat Yeladim services are held on Saturdays during the school year, starting at 10:30 am. Our services always finish in time for the Congregational Kiddush lunch, where all families are welcome.

2012-2013 Schedule: September 8 & 22 - October 13 & 27 - December 8 - January 12 & 26 - February 9- March 9 & 23 - April 27 - May 11

Friday Night Tot Sha-La-Lom Shabbat

At the end of a busy week, say “Shalom” to Shabbat and reconnect with your family and make new friends. Come sing, groove, shake and relax with our own Cantor Gastón! Our monthly program includes singing, musical props, and a short service to welcome Shabbat for children up to age 5. For older siblings, we offer Ruach Shabbat - a parallel service geared to school-age children. Many of our Sha-La-Lom Shabbat services are followed by a family-friendly kosher dinner hosted at the Temple. And this year, we return with our popular Shabbat@Home family dinner programs, where families can volunteer to host a catered Shabbat dinner in their homes! All services begin at 5:30 pm. Registration is requested for families attending services only. Advance paid reservations are required for dinner programs.

2012-2013 Schedule: October 26, November 16, December 14, January 25, March 1, April 12, May 3

TAK26

TAK26 (Temple Aliyah K26) takes off where Temple Tots leaves off! TAK26 offers Shabbat Morning Family Services led by Cantor G and Jennifer Rudin (Director of Education), Friday Night Family Services (led by Cantor G) and followed by dinner as well as a Family Havdalah Night and Parent’s Night Out.

2012-2013 Schedule: Shabbat Morning Family Services meet at 10:30 AM in the Chapel on Saturday October 6 - December 15 - January 12 - February 2