Young Families

Family Events Calendar Our Nursery School Emanu-El Downtown Gather Family Contact Us

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.

Join the Young Families Planning Committee

Temple members are invited to join the Young Families Planning Committee, where you can meet other engaged parents and share your interest to help plan delightful activities that your own child can enjoy, from art projects to enrich Tot Shabbat to special outings to new speakers.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, August 28 at 9:15 AM. Email to join!

Contact Us

Clergy Leader
Rabbi Amy B. Ehrlich

Staff Contact
Grace Guterman

Contact:
212-507-9603

A Letter from Rabbi Amy Ehrlich

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year! I hope the coming year will be filled with family, health and wonderful experiences of growth.

As the virus persists, we are dedicated to doing our best to help keep your children safe, so we have pushed the starting date of our programs back. Bop With Us returns in March, when we’ll resume our in-person Young Family Shabbat gatherings and introduce other classes, as well. Of course, as the weeks pass, we’ll continue to reassess transmission rates and health concerns.

While we are not offering in-person experiences in the coming weeks, you and your family might enjoy connecting with a few other Young Families. Whether you prefer to meet in person or on-line, this is a wonderful time to get to know other families with children in the same age and stage. Click here to learn more about Gather Family! Be sure to indicate your preference about how you wish to Gather!

In the meantime, join us on-line for a Bedtime Story. Sign up for PJ Library so your child can receive a Jewish book each month at no cost. Our Grandparents Group returns in the Spring. Be sure to sign up your parents to help them grow into their role, and stay in touch until we can gather in person again.

Wishing you joy and discovery, and health!

Rabbi Amy Ehrlich

Register now for Fall 2024

Shalom, World! Music, Art & Blessings

Tuesdays from 10:15-11:00 AM

September 10 – December 17
For ages 6-24 months

Toddlers and their grownups explore the world through a new and exciting Jewish lens of music, art and blessings. Each session offers a special “take-home” Jewish art project crafted together in class, leading to a one-of-a-kind cherished collection. Led by musician and educator, Hadar Orshalimy, this 45 minute class offers a unique opportunity for creative exploration and connection you won’t want to miss!

Full Semester: Members $480; Non-Members: $550

Boker Tov, Baby!

Wednesdays from 10:15-11:00 AM

September 11 – December 18
For ages 6-24 months

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.

Full Semester: Members $400; Non-Members $450

Parenting Toddlers and Twos

Mondays and Wednesdays 9:00 – 10:00 AM

September 9 – December 18
For ages 15 months and older

For parents with children 15 months and older. Come explore helpful parenting skills with Dr. Juliet Cooper and Rabbi Ehrlich, 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.

Fall 2024 (25 Classes)
This semester is currently full. Please consider registering for the Winter/Spring semester.

Winter 2024/Spring 2025 (34 Classes)
January 6-May 21 | Except: Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 17, Mar 19, Mar 24 and Mar 26
Members: $3400; Non-members: $3910

Shabbat Programs

Baby Shabbat

Fridays from 9:15-9:45 AM
Beginning September 13, 2024

Enjoy the company of other families as we celebrate Shabbat with music, blessings and a taste of challah! Baby Shabbat is a 30-minute program led by Tkiya and Rabbi Amy Ehrlich. The program is designed for children up to 20 months. Baby Shabbats are held in the Library. Enter through 1 East 65th Street.

Full Semester: Members $550; Non-Members: $585

Tot Shabbat

Saturdays once a month from 9:00-10:00 AM
September 21, November 9, December 14
January 11, February 8, March 8, April 5, May 10

Tot Shabbat is created just for preschool and nursery school-aged students and their families. Join Rabbi Amy Ehrlich and our amazing cantors 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! Babies are welcome, too! There is no charge for this program.

Additional Programming

Gather

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.

Learn More

Gather Family

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!

Learn More

See Full Calendar

PJ Library

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.