Find community and support as you navigate the epic journey and joys of parenthood.
Children bring a unique blessing into the world. Temple Emanu-El offers a number of engaging and entertaining opportunities to share the wonders of Jewish culture and holidays together as a family.
Clergy Leader
Rabbi Amy B. Ehrlich
Staff Contact
Johnny Maldonado
Contact: [email protected]
212-507-9515
Join early childhood specialist and musician Hadar Orshalimy for a lively 45-minute program for children 6 to 24 months and their grownups; each week is filled with music, movement, Jewish holidays, a taste of Hebrew, and free time to make friends and connect with other families.
Open to non-members. Free, but registration is required.
Temple Members: $350
Non-Members: $400
Please note: This is not a drop-off class. Every child must be accompanied by an adult. Enter through 1 East 65th Street.
Temple Emanu-El is proud to present Emanu-El Downtown, a new satellite location to connect with and serve families with babies, toddlers, and young children in downtown neighborhoods including Chelsea, the West Village, TriBeCa, and the Flatiron. Emanu-El Downtown will offer educational programs, special events, drop-in classes, and holiday celebrations for young families.
All Downtown events are open to Emanu-El members and non-members.
Gather is Emanu-El’s small groups initiative, bringing together congregants from across our community to learn, connect, and grow. These lay-led groups are based upon a range of topics, igniting marvelous conversations and dialogue. In these small groups, meaningful friendships are formed and congregants truly get to know one another.
Gather Family is Temple Emanu-El’s small groups initiative for families with children of the same age and stage. Gather Family is a way to meet new Temple families and deepen existing relationships, as well as an opportunity for members to have fun and get to know one another!
Fridays from 9:15-10:15 AM, on Zoom
November 4, 11 and 18 and December 9
With Jackie Fisher and Rabbi Ehrlich. Grandparents will explore many ways to enhance their relationship with their adult children, as well as their grandchildren.
Spring 2023
Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00-10:00 AM
January 9 – May 17 (30 sessions)
For parents with children 12 to 21 months old. Come explore helpful parenting skills with Dr. Juliet Cooper, such as negotiating family roles, effective co-parenting, establishing positive and consistent routines, incorporating Jewish ritual into your family life and finding a healthy balance as a parent. Registration is required.
Young Families Shabbat is created just for preschool and nursery school-aged students and their families. Join Rabbi Amy Ehrlich and Hadar Orshalimy to share joyful music and meaningful rituals in your growing family’s life. Be sure to invite grandparents and other loved ones to join us! The next Young Families Shabbat will be Saturday, November 5 from 9:00-9:30 AM.
Upcoming Dates: December 2 and 16 (Baby Shabbat for Chanukah)
Baby Shabbat is a 30-minute program designed for younger siblings of Nursery School children, although all children younger than 12 months are welcome to attend. On selected Friday mornings, from 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM, enjoy the company of other families as we anticipate Shabbat with music, blessings and a taste of challah. There is no charge for this program.
Join us for the Chanukah Festival at 10:00 AM afterward! Register for both through the same link.
Get ready to celebrate on Sunday, December 11 at 9:30 AM! We’ll light the candles, eat some latkes and sufganiyot (donuts!), spin the dreidel and sing our favorite Chanukah songs.
Temple Emanu-El partners with PJ Library for a number of our Young Families programs. For more information about PJ Library and to request free Jewish books for your children, click here.
