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Children's Shabbat Services Join us for meaningful Jewish experiences and memories that blend Jewish learning and living. Programs are open to all families. On designated Friday evenings, join other families to welcome Shabbat with song, prayer and movement. Services are followed by kiddush and motzi, and dinner for preregistered guests. Additionally, each Shabbat morning from September-June, Ansche Chesed offers services for children that teach the songs and rhythm of Shabbat morning services in a developmentally appropriate way. All services begin at 11:00 AM, and are followed by Kiddush and motzi. Mishpacha Service: For Families with Children Ages 3 and Younger Babies and toddlers are exposed to the sights and sounds of Shabbat in a lively Shabbat service. The service follows the outline of the Shabbat service, supplemented with fun and engaging Shabbat songs, stories, and dancing. Parents attend with their children, thus creating friendships and a sense of kehila (community). The tactile is emphasized in this service: we use rhythm instruments and have stuffed plush Torahs for everyone to dance with! Yigdal Service (We’re getting bigger!): For Children Ages 4-7 and Their Parents In the Yigdal Service, children are exposed to more tefilot (prayers) of the Shabbat morning service and are encouraged to take a leadership role in services. Children are also provided with opportunities to engage with spiritual questions and to explore prayer as a lens through which Jews relate to God. During the Torah service, a section of the Torah is read, and the parasha (portion) of the week or a story about an upcoming holiday is presented through discussion, skits, and stories. While invited to attend these services with their children, parents are not required to remain with their children. Parents are also very much encouraged to bring children of this age to adult services before or after childrens’ services so that the children understand how the Yigdal Service mirrors adult services. Big Kids’ Service: 8 Years to Pre-B'nai Mitzvah Children in our Big Kids’ service delve into the structure and purpose of tefilot (prayers), and participate in leading sections of the service. The service also focuses on the Torah portion each week through discussion and activities. The children are encouraged to also prepare a reading from the Torah portion; whether one sentence or an entire aliyah, the group is supportive and excited when their peers participate in this way. While some parents accompany their children to the Big Kids’ service, in past years the children have asked parents not to attend, or to sit quietly in the back. Questions about Family and Children's Services? Ask us! |