Young Families

Shabbat and Holiday Services | Babies and Toddlers |  Kindergarten-1st Grade | PJ Library |  Ongoing Events

Jewish identity begins to develop in the earliest years of childhood, and the family and synagogue must work together to nourish it.  The best way to convey the joy and beauty of being Jewish is by providing new and creative means for children to explore Judaism.

BJ offers a number of programs and learning experiences that provide young families with opportunities to connect, and give children a strong basis for the development of their Jewish identity. See the BJ Calendar for a list of classes and events, or visit our Program Overview page to find all upcoming Youth and Family Events.  Contact  Emily Walsh, Assistant Director of Education, about any of the Young Families programs.

Bim Bam Class for Babies and Toddlers

Friday Mornings, 9:30AM and 10:45AM
88th Street Frankel Hall, by registration only

Bim Bam is a pre-Shabbat music, movement and mitzvah class for the youngest BJ members! Every class, children ages 3 and under will prepare for Shabbat with singing, storytelling, giving tzedakah and other fun games and learning activities. This is also a great opportunity to connect with other parents and young children in the BJ community. Class sessions run in the fall, winter and spring.

PJ Library

We are delighted to bring the love for Jewish learning into your home, by sending your family books and music from the PJ Library!  The PJ Library is an award-winning Jewish children’s books and music program sponsored by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that sends free, quality books noted for their beautiful illustrations and compelling stories and music monthly, to your home.  The PJ Library books inspire meaningful conversations about topics such as caring for the needy, Jewish views on the environment, holiday practices, questions about God, and more.  BJ is proud to be partnering with PJ Library to bring this wonderful opportunity to our families.

Families can sign up on the PJ Library website to receive one book or CD per month.  Choose New York as the state, and then click Manhattan – Upper West Side – B’nai Jeshurun (BJ) as your community.

Kindergarten-Second Grade Family Shabbat Program

Shabbat Mornings, 9:45AM-10:45AM, 86th Street SPSA Parlor before Children’s Services

This community-wide program allows families to come together and meet other families in the community, while engaging in a variety of theme-based activities.  Parents learn with other parents, led by BJ’s spiritual leaders and educators, while students engage together with other children their own age, led by their teachers. Families learn about Shabbat, Jewish holidays, rituals, mitzvot, and Torah, while also building connections to each other and to the BJ community.  Families attend Children’s Services together, followed by participation in Minyan Bet (geared towards children ages 4-6). Additional activities throughout the year include family projects, celebrating Shabbat, learning, eating, music, a picnic and lots of other fun things. Please contact Kristen Kersey for more information.

We will hold this program on February 5, 2011; March 5, 2011; and April 2, 2011. Please check back in to see if more dates have been added or changed.

Ongoing Events

In addition to the regular classes and services offered at BJ, a number of special events occur throughout the year. This may include meals after Tot Shabbat or Children’s Services or parenting classes for parents of young children.

New and Expecting Parents Group

Please join us for a new opportunity for New and Expecting Parents.  All those expecting babies in the next 9 months or who have had children in the past year are invited to participate in this group to get to know one another, share ideas on Jewish parenting and begin to build community.  The group is led by Theresa Gerstein, who is a new mom and member of BJ.

 

Volunteer to Cook a Meal for BJ’s Newest Members!

Help us support new parents in our community by providing home-cooked Shabbat meals for the month of the baby’s life. As anyone who is a parent or is close to a young family knows, the first month following birth can be full of overwhelming adjustments. Join us in helping to make this time a little less hectic for the new parents by helping them relax for a Shabbat dinner filled with BJ love and food. To volunteer or for more information please email Susan or Carol.