Programs for Children - High Holy Days 2017

Download the Childcare registration form here.

We welcome all children who are toilet trained through 11 years old to join us downstairs on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for children’s services, crafts, snacks, playtime and storytelling. Childcare will be provided from 9:00-1:00 on both days (extending until after the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur).  We welcome donations to offset the cost of food and craft supplies for childcare.  Thank you in advance for any donation you might like to provide.  We cannot accept money on either holiday, so please send your donation along with registration. There will be an appropriate number of teenage child care providers to look after the children.

There is no childcare available for children that are not toilet trained.  Please use the classroom off of the foyer for changing diapers, nursing, feeding and entertaining your child.  If you wish to bring a sitter for your child, they are welcome downstairs in the childcare room.

Enclosed you will find a “Code of Conduct” which we ask that you and your child review.  If any child is disruptive, we will ask that your child be kept with you.  No electronics are permitted in childcare.

In order to provide the safest environment for your child(ren), please escort your child(ren) to babysitting on the lower level where you will sign them in and we will provide name tags. We will also confirm any specific instruction for your child(ren) such as allergies or early dismissal. Should your child need to leave, kindly come downstairs and sign them out.  On Rosh Hashanah Day 1, all parents will come downstairs to get their children near the end of services to hear the shofar and finish services all together. On Yom Kippur, children will hear a story from the Bimah after the rabbi’s d’var, and then return to child care so parents can participate in Yizkor, if they wish

It is very important that you pre-register your children for childcare in order for us to hire the appropriate number of sitters.

Children’s services will be from 10:30-11:00 and will include all children in childcare.  There will be no alternative programming during this time. Once again, services will be led by members of the BI community and will include direction from our friends in childcare. Parents are welcome to join us downstairs for this service.  

Children are welcome to bring their own shofar (if they have one); they will enjoy blowing them during the service!  Children also can dress up in royal outfits with crowns and jewels to celebrate the majestic imagery of the New Year.  Children can celebrate Yom Kippur by wearing white or a white accouterment. Dress up is not mandatory :).

Some of the activities for this year will include: Legos, arts and crafts, outdoor play and gaga (weather permitting), and other special surprises including a birthday cake on Rosh Hashanah.

Tween/Teenage Chat Room
Once again, the library will serve as a meeting place for children that are too young to be in the adult service the entire time and too old for the children’s service. There will be crafts and games available and a teen led service and discussion from about11:15-12:00. This space is open to tweens that are mature enough to behave with minimal or no supervision.  Children who need more activity or supervision will be asked to return to their parents.