Tot Shabbat:
This is a delightful opportunity for preschool age children to become familiar with the sights, sounds and even the flavors of Shabbat. Led on a rotation basis by members of Silverman Preschool’s warm and talented staff, participants will enjoy stories, songs and engaging activities to create a very special experience. We have these wonderful leaders schedule for the months to come:
- Amy Stanley, May 11
Parents are welcome to stay or may join the congregation at Shabbat services in our Sanctuary. For those little ones under 18 months, we do ask that an accompanying adult be present. Tot Shabbat is held in our Preschool area.
Junior Congregation:
Becky Henning will lead our Junior Congregation for children in grades K-6. The morning’s activities will include the Torah service, an explanation of the weekly parasha and more. In addition to her creativity and enthusiasm, Becky always has special treats to make the learning sweet. Junior Congregation will meet in the Goodman Chapel. Click here for a complete list and explanation of the educational topics.
Both programs begin at 10:30 a.m. and run through noon. Mark your calendars now for the following Saturdays:
- May 11
Parents are invited to stay and enjoy our Midrash Shabbat Lunch and Learn following the programs. Childcare is available during the learning session. Learn more about Midrash Shabbat now.
Childcare is available every Saturday morning that does not host Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation, during services, beginning at 10:30 a.m. until the conclusion of the service. And, as always, children are welcomed and encouraged to attend all Shabbat and holiday services.
Junior Congregation topics for this year:
September 8 – Ki Tavo – This Torah portion talks about the tithes that farmers brought once they were farming on the land of Israel. Our play will replicate the tithing ceremony. We will end our play singing “Eretz Zavat Khalav” and look for the words “Shma Yisrael” in the Torah scroll, all found in this week’s Torah portion. We will also quickly discuss the words “Slikha” and “Selikhot” in preparation for the High Holidays.
October 13 – Bereshit – Our first Torah portion of the Jewish year is the the first portion of the Five Books of Moses. Thus our play will recreate the creation of the world as described in Genesis 1. Our Torah scroll word search will concentrate on finding the word “Tov” (good) as God describes His creations, and on finding the numbers of the days.
November 10 – Chayei Sarah – The “life of Sarah,” actually begins with the death of Sarah at the ripe old age of 127. Our play continues with Abraham’s search for a nice wife for his son Isaac. Our Torah scroll word search will focus on the word for camel and on numbers, especially ones with the word one hundred in them. At the end of the Torah portion Abraham dies at the age of 175.
December 8 – VaYeishev – In this Torah portion we learn why Joseph’s brothers were so angry with him and so jealous of him. Our play will focus on Joseph’s famous “tunic,” the special gift given to him by his father. Ultimately, this Torah portion explains how we ended up slaves in Egypt. There will also be a special Chanukah treat on this day, the eve of the start of Chanukah.
January 12 – VaEira – The confrontation between Moses and Pharoh begins this Torah portion. With this story as the background, we will discuss important questions such as what it means to have your “heart hardened,” and whether Pharaoh had a choice in the matter of letting the Children of Israel go. We will look for the word “ro’eh” (“see”) in the Torah scroll and for frogs in the Chapel.
February 9 – Mishpatim/Shabat Shkalim – Now that the Children of Israel are out of Egypt and have received the Ten Commandments, God instructs them (and us) further with many more Mishpatim or “rules.” We will have three mini-plays to teach us three of these rules. We will also count how many times the word “loh” (“no” or “don’t”) appears in this portion of the Torah scroll.
March 9 – VaYakhel/Pekudei – In this week’s Torah portion Moses and the
Children of Israel begin the arduous work of building the Mishkan, the
Tabernacle, a tent that served as a symbol of God’s presence, as the
Children of Israel wandered through the desert. We will play a game of
charades to help us “build” the Tabernacle.
April 13 - Tazria/metzorah – This is probably the grossest Torah portion of the year. Our play will show how the Children of Israel dealt with a certain sickness called Tsara’at. This sickness could infect both people and their houses. Although, by the time of the Rabbis, we no longer knew what this sickness was exactly, the Rabbi’s never missed an opportunity to teach us how to behave better. Find out what it is that the Rabbis thought we could do better, and enjoy a special “gushing” treat.
May 11 - Bamidbar – This Torah portion counts the Children of Israel by tribe
and tells us how they encamped around the Tabernacle. It may not seem like
this could be a fun play, but with waving flags for each tribe and lots of
kids, how could it not be fun? Our play will also show us what the Levite’s
duties were since they stayed at camp to take care of the Mishkan while the
other tribes went to battle to fight the enemies of the Children of Israel.
Our Torah scroll word search will search for tribe names.
Childcare is available every Saturday morning beginning at 10:30 a.m. until the conclusion of the service when Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation are not in session. And, as always, children are welcomed and encouraged to attend all Shabbat and holiday services.