Family Programming

Once a month on Friday evenings and on one Saturday morning a month, we offer special, family-oriented programming appropriate for Temple Israel’s littlest shul-goers. Both are open, free of charge to members and non-members alike, and are a great way to meet new people in the community, connect with Jewish life in a non-threatening, non-judgmental environment and forge lifelong friendships. Check our calendar for both Friday Family Services and Saturday Tot Shabbat dates.

Kabbalat Shabbat Family Service

The Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Family Service at 6:30 pm replaces the regular 8:00 pm service and is especially welcoming in its 45-minute format to families with young children, up to about age thirteen. Services are followed by a community dinner that provides an opportunity for everyone to socialize in a relaxed fashion that captures the spirit of Shabbat. There is a nominal fee for dinner. Sign up here or call the Temple office for information.

Saturday Tot Shabbat

On Tot Shabbat mornings, once a month from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, parents and young children worship together in an abbreviated Shabbat service separate from the main service. This is a wonderful introduction to Shabbat morning traditions and prayers for tots through kindergarteners, utilizing “props,” like colorful stuffed Torahs, and illustrated siddurim with simple transliterations and engaging tales from the Hebrew Bible. The group rejoins the main service for concluding prayers just before noon and the communal Kiddush lunch following services.

Torah Tots

A free monthly, Sunday morning program for children under the age of 4, with music and play, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.