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Congregation Shearith Israel
Youth Department Schedule 2010-2011

Junior Congregation
Shabbat, 10:30am in the Little Synagogue
Every Shabbat morning we will have a tefillah service, led by the children themselves, and overseen by our teens.  Some weeks the service will be longer and more inclusive.  Those Junior Congregation dates include:

May 14

We encourage your children to continue to learn new parts of the Shabbat service throughout the year.  We have CDs of the prayers sung in our tunes, as well as Youth Siddurim that we are happy to distribute.

Shabbat Club
Shabbat and Holiday youth groups are held on days we do not have a full Junior Congregation service, from September 9 – June 18.  (Babysitting for children under 5 continues year long, in the New Auditorium with Liz Rios.)  All children aged 5-12 should be in the supervised Shabbat Club or in services with their parents. The groups will be divided by age and will offer fun and engaging informal education, led by Group Leaders. The Children’s Library is a place where kids can go to relax and read for a brief time, but no food is allowed.

PTTS Religious School
The Polonies Talmud Torah School is a nurturing, vibrant religious school for students aged 5-16.  It meets Thursday 4-6pm and Sunday 10am-12pm. 
Using creative educational techniques we promote three educational goals: the continuing relevance of
Judaism to a child's life at every stage, Jewish literacy, and Hebrew literacy. 

For more information or to enroll your child contact Rabbi Shalom Morris, at 212-873-0300 x218 or rabbi.smorris@shearithisrael.org.

Toddler Program
The Shearith Israel Toddler Program is held twice a week, for children aged 16-33 months, with an adult caregiver.  The program focuses on learning colors, shapes, arts & crafts, play-time, songs, Jewish holidays, music and more. The fall semester begins September 8. Space is limited.  To register, contact the office, 212-873-0300.

Special Events

May 14 – End of Year Family Shabbat Lunch
June 8 – Girls’ Reading of Megilat Ruth

Many more events will be announced throughout the year. There are programs for all age groups and interests.  The Shearith Israel Youth Department often collaborates with other Upper West Side synagogues and organizations like NCSY to provide a fun and social atmosphere for our kids.  Please look out for flyers and emails publicizing these programs.   We encourage you to invite your neighbors and friends to experience our vibrant Youth programming.

After-School Activities  (with Beit Rabban)
Pre-School Programs for 3s, 4s & 5s: 2 – 3pm:
Monday – Yoga; Tuesday – Music; Tuesday – Movement; Wednesday – Kosher Cooking
Children Aged 6–11: 3:30 – 4:45pm:
Monday – Skating; Monday – Aviation; Tuesday – Science (in Hebrew); Tuesday – Drama; Wednesday – Soccer; Wednesday – Cooking; Thursday – Chess; Thursday – Art.
Guitar Lessons – Tuesday, 5pm, starting October 12

Volunteering
If your child would like to volunteer for the Synagogue, there are many opportunities available, including Tot Shabbat, helping at events, working with synagogue staff in the office, Caring Connection and other Synagogue-wide hesed initiatives such as the clothing drive and distributing food packages.  This year, our youth will be participating in the iVolunteer Program, visiting local Holocaust survivors. The possibilities are endless, and Community Service credit for school can be given when applicable. Speak to Alana at x209 for more information.

*We are happy to receive your donation of used books, in good condition for both our Toddler Program (Jewish holidays, books with big print and colorful pictures), and for our Children’s Library (all books for ages 5-12).*