Our Early Childhood Education programming invites parents and their young children to taste, smell, feel, hear, see and experience the beauty of our tradition in intimate settings with other parents and children.
For Children Alone
Torah Time (Formerly Torah for Tots)
Boker Tov! The morning begins with Family Aseyfah, a community gathering of song, prayer and story. Our 3-4 year old children then enjoy their own monthly religious school learning center in our kindergarten class (with the big kids but in appropriate developmental ways) while parents participate in Everyday Blessings: Parenting Beit Midrash. Parents and children come together for a family activity for the second part of the program.
The first teaching Sunday of the month 9:30 – 12:00 Noon.
For Parents and Children
Pre K-3rd Grade Mitzvah Mishpachah (Formerly Mitzvah Kids)
You can change the world! When we help others, we help ourselves. Our efforts to repair the world (tikkun olam) bring families together and allow them to make friends with each other while having a positive impact on the world around us as Jews. A light lunch is provided. All children up to 3rd grade are welcome with their parents.
The third teaching Sunday of the month 12:00 – 1:15 PM.
Mishpachah Outings
Come explore Pittsburgh with us as we create fun activities at the great attractions our area has to offer. Each outing includes a self-guided Jewish way to interact with the site, friends, fun and Havdalah. These outings are designed for families with children up to 3rd grade. Older siblings can serve as helpers.
Assorted Saturday afternoons.
Mishpachah Shabbat and Mishpachah Havdalah (Formerly Tot Shabbat and Tot Havdalah)
Shabbat Shalom and Shavua Tov! Help us celebrate Shabbat with arts & crafts, music and appropriate food. These experiences are designed for families with children up to 3rd grade. Older siblings can serve as helpers.
Assorted Saturday mornings and afternoons.
3rd Friday of The Month – Something for Everybody
We will begin on the floor of the Leebov Sanctuary at 5:45 PM with a Tot Shabbat worship service. With a special prayer book, soft stuffed Torahs for cuddling, Sheli and more our youngest congregants up to first grade with their families will take an active role in welcoming Shabbat.
At 6:15 PM we will sing songs, light candles and make Kiddush. Those who want to stay for dinner can enjoy an affordable, high quality, catered dinner. While sitting at the table, Joan and Jackie will have table games for families to enjoy.
At 7:00 PM we will gather in the Leebov Sanctuary for a very active service. Yes, it will include a birthday blessings for all (young and old) celebrating a birthday that month. Yes, it will include a supplement of readings that might be more accessible than the poetry of our Mishkan Tefillah. Yes, it will include opportunities for children and adults to lead parts of the service. Long before each service, we will send out a personal invitation to those who can help us lead in either Hebrew or English. Yes, there will always be a lesson drawn from the 10 Commandments. This community service is designed to engage people of all ages. It is not just a children’s service, it is not just a family service, it is a community service in which you can be active to the extent you want.
At 8:00 PM, we will join for Oneg Shabbat that will include a host of beyond ordinary delights including Rabbi Ron's Fabulous Shabbat Sundae Bar and Sara's Shabbat Cappuccino Bar.
For those of you who want a more intimate, post bar/bat mitzvah (teens and adults) Shabbat experience we invite you to join with Rabbi Gibson in a Shabbat Schmooze. With guitar in hand, story at the ready and prayer in heart, Rabbi Gibson will help experience Shabbat in ways you might not have thought possible. This Shabbat Schmooze will be held at a different congregant home each month.
Both, the service in the Leebov Sanctaury and Rabbi Gibson's Shabbat Schmooze will include opportunities for those who wish to say kaddish.
Beginning in October.
For Parents Alone
Everyday Blessings: Parenting Beit Midrash
"Parents today find it harder than ever to uphold their own values within their families when they seem so at odds with those of our current culture. We seek security in a society that seems more and more dangerous, grace in a culture that thrives on competition, and gratitude in an age of ever-increasing materialism. How can this generation of parents raise self-reliant, compassionate, and ethical children?"
While we do not have all the answers, we do have collective wisdom. Guided by Dr. Sue Berman, Parenting Coach and Rabbi Symons, with coffee in hand from the Brotherhood Cafe and babysitting provided (please RSVP for babysitting by Wednesday of that week), we will share our successes and challenges as we strive to improve our own parenting skills.
Monthly on the first teaching Sunday of the month after Family Aseyfah 10:15 to 11:00 AM. |
