It Takes a Village

by Heidi Smith Hyde, Village Coordinator for Families with Young Children

On Sunday, March 20, over 80 families gathered for a Purim block party on Nessel Way. It seemed particularly fitting that this celebration, organized by the Village, FJECC, and Religious School, took place on the first day of spring. Spring symbolizes hope and the chance to start anew, and after two challenging pandemic years, our families with young children were ready to party! What a treat it was to see our children dancing and playing and crafting while their adoring parents and grandparents looked on. The Village, led by Rabbi Suzie Jacobson, is TI’s place for families with young children (ages 0 – 5) to connect, learn, and celebrate Judaism, while meeting new friends and having fun. All year we have offered families multiple ways to connect, whether onsite, online, or together in mixed presence. In the fall, the Village hosted a series of outdoor holiday celebrations, including a Havdalah craft night held in TI’s spacious courtyard. In October we met at a local park for a sports party and obstacle course! In the winter when case numbers began to rise, we moved our offerings online. Over 50 families gathered on Zoom for a Shabbat singalong with local performer, Vanessa Trien. Our Tu B’Shevat puppet show featuring Anna Sobel from Talking Hands Theater also drew many families in need of connection. At the heart of our programming is Shabbat. Every Friday afternoon at Tot Rock Shabbat (held on Zoom), little ones in highchairs munch on challah as the blessings are recited. On alternate Saturday mornings you can find us in the garden, singing, playing, and praying with Wayne Potash and clergy

Being together in community has sustained us during this unprecedented time, and with the arrival of spring we look forward to providing our Village families with even more opportunities for engagement.

Village article

Upcoming Village Opportunities

SUNDAY, JUNE 26 VILLAGE BACK TO SHUL PICTURE DAY

Join us for family pictures with an experienced child photographer, and then have fun in the Temple Israel playground with your Village friends.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 COMMUNITY MURAL PAINTING PROJECT

Village families are invited to paint a Noah’s Ark mural in Temple Israel’s very own Rainbow Room (Room 105). This project will be led by two community muralists.