Early Childhood

Early Childhood and Family Programs at Temple Israel & JCC

At Temple Israel & JCC, we believe it’s never too early to feel good about being Jewish and make Jewish memories that will last a lifetime. We offer a range of programs to engage the littlest members of our community, along with their older siblings, parents and grandparents. Many of these programs are free and open to the public, so please invite your friends and family to these services and events.

Tot Shabbat (ages 2-5)

This monthly Saturday morning mini service for tots and their parents brings the joy of Shabbat to young ones through stories, songs and of course, grape juice and challah. After we’re done, we join the rest of the congregation for Kiddush, where parents and their children can meet other young Jewish families over some lunch. Tot Shabbat runs from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. once a month. Please check our online calendar for listings.

Family High Holiday Services

Children through 7th grade and their families are invited to attend our family high holiday services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These are real services, shortened to about two hours, incorporating interactive activities and participation by adults and kids of all ages. Designed by Temple Israel families to be meaningful and fun, we think our family high holiday services are pretty special. Free with high holiday tickets.

Monthly Family Shabbat

While children are always welcome at Temple Israel, special participatory family services are held one Friday evening or Saturday morning a month. There are children’s activities, songs, stories and Shabbat warmth led by Rabbi Fine. Family Services are followed by a celebratory Oneg Shabbat dessert reception or kiddush luncheon meal.

Sunday morning enrichment and Religious School

Younger children ages 1 through 4 can enroll in our monthly Torah Tots program that introduces Jewish themes through hands-on fun. Kids in pre-k 4 and older can enroll in NNJJA (pronounced NINJA), the consortium religious school hosted at Temple Israel & JCC. More information can be found on our website here: Northern New Jersey Jewish Academy

Social and holiday events

Don’t miss our lively December Hanukkah party, Purim carnival and other fun events throughout the year. Most are free and open to the community. Follow Temple Israel on Facebook or Instagram to stay in the loop about all our fun programming and upcoming events.

Thank you, volunteers!

We thank our Early Childhood Committee of volunteers who work so hard to plan and run so many of our family events.

Questions? Please email earlychildhood@synagogue.org