Programs for Children - High Holy Days 2019

Register for High Holy Day Childcare and Child Programs

We welcome all children who are toilet trained through 11 years old to join us downstairs on Rosh Hashanah day 1 and Yom Kippur for children’s services, crafts, snacks, playtime and storytelling. Childcare will be provided from 9:30-1:00 on both days (extending until after the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur). There will be an appropriate number of teenage child care providers to look after the children. It is very important that you pre-register your children for childcare in order for us to hire the appropriate number of sitters. Children are welcome to attend services in the sanctuary on Rosh Hashanah day 2, but there are no alternative children’s activities or babysitting available on day 2.

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.

Our “Code of Conduct” is located here, and we ask that you and your child review these guidelines.  If any child is disruptive, we will ask that your child be kept with you.  No electronics are permitted in childcare.

Register for High Holy Day Childcare and Child Programs

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, then come back upstairs 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.

Family/Children’s services will be from 10:00-10:30 am and will include all children in childcare. There will be no alternative programming during this time. Children’s services will be led by Rabbi Linda or Rabbi Nathan, along with members of the BI community. 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 accoutrement. 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. 

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. 

Tween/Teenage Chat Room: 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 programming. At 11:00 am on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and on Yom Kippur, we will have a guided discussion for tweens and teens (middle school age and up) to talk about Judaism, high holy days, and our world today. Both sessions will be facilitated by BI member, Emma Lefkowitz. There will also be some quiet crafts and games available in the library for older children who can play independently with minimal supervision.

Register for High Holy Day Childcare and Child Programs