Programs for Families with Young Children

Families with Young Children

Temple Isaiah welcomes families with young children (ages 0 – 8) to join us on a Jewish journey of learning, building community and family fun! Current members and those seeking a connection to a Jewish community are invited to share and explore these Jewish experiences together. The Families with Young Children Task Force, in conjunction with the Membership and Community Development cluster of Temple Isaiah’s leadership, helps with planning and coordinating various events in and out of temple for this group.

Our Early Childhood Family Educator, Jodi Jarvis, is on staff as a resource for you and your family at this stage of your family’s Jewish journey. Temple Isaiah offers many kinds of programs, events, holiday celebrations and family-friendly services for young families to join in, and even a fun and friendly playspace for our youngest friends! Please feel free to contact Jodi for more information about Temple Isaiah’s programs for Families with Young Children, resources, or support in your Jewish journey adventures! Jodi Jarvis, Early Childhood Family Educator, Temple Isaiah, jjarvis@templeisaiah.net– 781-862-7160 ext. 15.

Click here for Full Calendar of events.

Jewish enrichment Program for pre-schoolers

Managed by Abbe Smerling, these weekly play groups are for preschoolers between the ages of 2-1/2 and five years old. The ten weekly sessions feature activities including holiday themes, arts & crafts, movement, music, cooking, stories and fun. The fee per child is $140.

Young Families Listserv

A Temple Isaiah-based email group geared toward providing information to families with young children. Postings in the past have been about Temple Isaiah events and programs, finding a Jewish summer camp, connecting families whose children are about to start Jewish Preschool, and coordinating get-togethers at local parks or community activities. Since postings are limited to Temple Isaiah/Jewish/local topics appropriate for the group, and not for commercial purposes, you need not worry about spam. To sign up, please use the form available here. You do not need to be a member of Temple Isaiah to belong to the listserv, so please invite friends and family as well!

Tot Shabbat & Family Friendly Services

TOT Shabbat Family Services

Friday evenings, 5:45-6:15 pm, followed by dinner, arts and crafts and lots of family fun!
Dates: November 5, December 17, January 21, February 11*, March 11, April 8, May 6, June 3

Once a month members of our clergy lead an Erev Shabbat service for Families with Young Children. Each Tot Shabbat gathering includes candle lighting and an age-appropriate Shabbat service shared through a variety of interactive, engaging, and child-friendly activities. After services, we join together for Shabbat table blessings, a family-friendly dinner (sponsored by the Temple), arts and crafts activities, and the opportunity to meet other families with young children. We hope that you will join us! No RSVP is required for dinner.

*Please note that the Friday, February 11 TOT Shabbat will be TOT Shabbat at the Table, an interactive teaching Shabbat dinner! This program is co-sponsored by CJP's Jewish Innovation and Engagement Grant.

As with all our programs for Families with Young Children, membership is NOT required to participate.

Shir Shabbat Family Services

Shir Shabbat (Song of Shabbat) are Shabbat morning services designed especially for families with children in fifth grade and under. These family-friendly services are full of joyful song and prayer (11:00 am-12 noon including a “bagel oneg”),

The Saturday dates for Shir Shabbat are: November 20, December 18, January 15, February 5*, March 26

*Please note that on Saturday, February 5th we will begin at 10:00 am and conclude with a festive and delicious brunch for all!

Kabbalat Erev Shabbat Services – 6:15 pm

Our congregational Kabbalat Erev Shabbat services, offered at 6:15 pm, last about 1 hour, and are appropriate for families and children of all ages. We are pleased to offered complimentary childcare (sponsored by our clergy) for our youngest guests. Please RSVP to arusso@templeisaiah.net with your name, your child’s name, and their age, to reserve a space for your child.

Temple Isaiah’s Family Playspace

We welcome you to visit the young children’s play space at Temple Isaiah! It is located in the front half of room 13. Our play space has many toys and books for young children along with two comfortable sofas for adults and a cozy rug for our youngest friends and their parents. We also hope that you will help us in maintaining this area by cleaning up after you play! Thank you!

Please understand that the play space is also a staff workspace – with this in mind, the play space may not always be accessible and/or available for use. You can check in with the staff members, or refer to the sign on the play space door.

Just for Parents:

Holiday Resource Materials

If you are interested in information to help you celebrate the holidays at home, please contact Early Childhood Family Educator, Jodi Jarvis – jjarvis@templeisaiah.net or 781-862-7160 ext. 1.

Jumpstart Judaism

Jumpstart Judaism is a program for babies, toddlers and grown-ups too! Join us for the opportunity to meet new family friends, sing, play and learn together! Jumpstart Judaism is co-led by Jodi Jarvis, our Early Childhood Family Educator, and a member of the Isaiah clergy.

Jumpstart your Jewish journey today! Come sing, learn and play!

Sunday, November 21, 2010 9:45 - 10:30 am LEFTY Lounge

Sunday, January 30, 2011 9:45 - 10:30 am LEFTY Lounge

Sunday, March 6, 2011 9:45 - 10:30 am LEFTY Lounge

For more information, please contact Jodi Jarvis, Temple Isaiah’s Early Childhood Family Educator.

This program is co-sponsored by a grant from CJP's Jewish Innovation and Engagement Grant.