Upcoming Events | Hebrew School | Services for Families & Children | Our Educators
“To educate a child without educating and involving the parents and the entire family can be compared to heating a house while leaving the window open.” – Mordecai Kaplan
We believe that Judaism is an ongoing search for meaning and that this search starts in childhood. We believe that the family and the synagogue can work together to nourish developing Jewish identities, and that the best way to convey the joy and beauty of being Jewish is to provide new and creative ways for children to explore Judaism at each stage of their development.
In keeping with a synagogue that is inclusive, diverse and egalitarian, we would like to invite the families of children with special needs and disabilities to participate in any of our programs, thereby providing access to a meaningful Jewish education for all our congregants.
Our programs reflect these beliefs, and aim to create experiences that will enrich both the “at-home” and “in-synagogue” Jewish experiences of children and families.
For more information, please contact Director of Education for Youth and Family, Ivy Schreiber.
Friday, February 3 | 7:45PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Join your BJHS classmates at a Shabbat dinner for third and fourth grades. We will join together for services in the sanctuary before heading downstairs for dinner, songs and Shabbat blessings. Register online, and contact Kristen with any questions.
Friday, February 3 | 5:15PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Families will enjoy a kid-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat service filled with singing and dancing. Services begin at 5:15PM in the main sanctuary followed by a dinner at 5:45PM downstairs in Frankel Hall complete with Shabbat blessings and songs. Dinner will include delicious choices for adults as well as children, and vegetarian options will be available; dietary laws observed. While adults are finishing their meal, teen volunteers will engage children in games and more songs! Register by noon on Wednesday, February 1 and contact Kristen Kersey with any questions or specific dietary requests.
Saturday, February 4 | 5:45-7:00PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Come celebrate the end of Shabbat with BJ Spiritual leaders and musicians for an interactive, warm, and inviting musical Havdalah Service. Inspired by Rodeph Sholom’s Special Needs Holiday Services, this sensory friendly Havdalah Service is designed to be inclusive of all children and adults with special needs. Healthy snacks will be available, as well as opportunities for active participation. Prepare children for what to expect with My Musical Havdalah, a social story picture book created especially for this event. All are welcome, including members and non-members. R.S.V.P. is essential, as we will provide preparatory materials in advance. Please contact Emily Walsh with any questions. Our next service will be held on April 28.
Saturday, February 4 | 9:30AM | 86th Street Chapel
Fifth grade students and their parents can join Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein to explore all the parts of the Torah Service. He’ll guide us through a close look at the ritual object and practice dancing the choreography of bringing out the Torah and reading from this sacred text. This morning program is guaranteed to wake you up and work you out. Afterwards, families will head downstairs to Junior Congregation in the Social Hall where we will honor Rabbinic Intern, Mick Fine. Register online for this program by February 3.
Monday, February 6 | 4:30-6:00PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
All 3rd graders will come together to cook a meal for the BJ/SPSA Homeless Shelter regardless of where they receive their Jewish education. In the Hebrew School’s effort to bring more social action into the classroom, this activity will occur during class time and last until 6:00pm. Together, the 3th grade will cook, set and decorate the table for our guests, and engage in age-appropriate study and discussion about the Jewish value of feeding the hungry. Due to limited space, parent participation is limited to first-come-first-serve. For more information and to R.S.V.P., contact Jessica Forman by Friday, February 3.
Thursday, February 9 | 5:00-6:00PM | 89th Street Classroom
Parents of Junior Congregation kids are invited to learn about the meaning, order, and choreography of the Shabbat morning service, taught by Rabbinic Intern for Youth and Family Mick Fine. Please feel free to come with questions or to learn about the how’s and why’s of Junior Congregation. R.S.V.P. to Kristen.
Sunday, March 4 | 1:15PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
“It’s the Purim Show!” Join Mordy & Marty the Frogs along with Fozie, Fuzie, Ms. Prissy and the rest of the Purims & Misfits as they take on Ham(an) & Pam Richman, and try and save the great Purim theatre from meeting its demise. Presented by BJ’s 3rd-6th graders. Prior to the show our Kindergarten through second graders will tell the real story of Purim through word and song. Come from the carnival at 12:00PM, but stay for the show.
Friday Mornings, January 20-May 18 | 9:30-10:15AM and 10:45-11:30AM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Bim Bam is a pre-Shabbat class for children ages 3 and under to sing Hebrew and Shabbat related songs and enjoy Jewish learning activities. Every class ends with lighting Shabbat candles, kiddush and hamotzi. Register now for the 9:30 class (geared for ages 18 months-3 years) or the 10:45 class (geared for 18 months and under), and know that space is limited. Cost is $160/members and $210/non-members per family. Contact Kristen Kersey with any questions. Note: class will not meet April 6 and 13.
We are again the proud owners of our former Community House at 270 W. 89th Street.