Kids at Ansche Chesed
Ansche Chesed offers three Shabbat morning services for children: the Mishpachah Service (mishpachah means “family”) for families with children preschool-age and younger, the Yigdal Service (yigdal means “growing up”) for children in preschool through Grade 2, and the Big Kids’ Service for children in Grade 3 through pre-bar/bat mitzvah age. Afterwards they join the adults in the Sanctuary Service to sing Adom Olam, a perennial children’s favorite and the final Shabbat morning prayer.
If you’d like weekly updates about which services will be held on the upcoming Shabbat, please let us know to add you to the Family Programs newsletter.
Mishpachah Service, 2 North at 11 am
An Introduction to the Shabbat Morning Service
For Families with Babies, Tots & Preschoolers
Babies and toddlers are exposed to the sights and sounds of Shabbat during this lively service that follows the outline of the adult service but is supplemented by fun and engaging songs, stories, and movement. The emphasis is on the tactile as everyone plays and dances with rhythm instruments and plush Torahs. Parents attend with their children, which inevitably leads to enduring friendships and a sense of kehillah (community).
Yigdal Service, 2 South at 11 am
Exploring the Structure of the Shabbat Morning Service
For Families with Kindergarteners through Grade 2
This service exposes children to a greater number of Shabbat tefillot (prayers) than are presented in the Mishpachah Service. Children are encouraged to help lead the prayers and are helped to start thinking about prayer as a lens through which Jews can connect to God. There is a Torah service during which a section of the Torah is read and the week’s parshah (Torah portion), or a story related to an upcoming holiday, is presented through discussion, skits, and stories. Parents are welcome, but not required, to attend.
Big Kids’ Service, Chapel at 11 am
Engaging In and Leading the Shabbat Morning Service
Kids Only, Grade 3 through B’nai mitzvah
This service delves into the structure and purpose of tefillot (prayers) and the weekly parshah (Torah portion), which is examined through discussion and activities. The children are encouraged to play a greater role in both and to prepare a reading from the parshah, whether a verse of an entire chapter, in Hebrew. As they watch each other participate, children develop a palpable feeling of community.
