Young Families
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.
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 2023

Boker Tov, Baby!
Wednesdays from 10:15-11:00 AM
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.
Fall 2023 (13 sessions)
Sept 13 – Dec 13 | Except Nov 22
Members: $390; Non-members: $455

Shiru Iti, Sing with Me!
Tuesdays from 10:15-11:00 AM
With Hadar Orshalimy
For ages 6-24 months
Tinokim, toddlers, and their grownups learn Hebrew through song, dance, and visuals in this joyous and interactive class led by musician, early-childhood educator and new Ima HADAR. Whether you’re a native Israeli or just want to expose your child to Ivrit – this class is for you!
Fall 2023 (13 sessions)
Sept 12 – Dec 12 | Except: Nov 21
Members: $390; Non-members: $455

Parenting Toddlers and Twos (Waitlist Only)
Mondays and Wednesdays
9:00 – 10:00 AM
For parents with children 15 months and older. 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.
Fall 2023 (25 Classes)
September 11-December 13 | Except: Sept 25, Oct 9 and Nov 22
Members: $2500; Non-members: $2875

Fall 2023 Grandparents Group
Fridays at 10:15 AM, on Zoom
With Jackie Fisher and Rabbi Ehrlich
Together, we’ll explore the many ways to enhance relationships between the generations: grandparents and their adult children – and grandchildren. This program is open to temple members and grandparents of member families.
Fall 2023 (3 sessions)
February 17, March 3, 10 and 17
$100 to register for all sessions

Fall 2023 Parents Group
Mondays 10:15 – 11:00 AM
Becoming a parent is a monumental time filled with love, joy, and gratitude. There are also challenges that accompany this meaningful transition. In our group we will discuss all aspects of parenthood – the excitement as well as the challenges and even the doubts that may come up. Topics will include understanding changes: how your identity changes, how family dynamics shift (in your immediate family as well as your extended family) along with practical concerns around caring for a newborn, self-care, and balancing new responsibilities. We look forward to having you join us in this supportive atmosphere where parents can engage in stimulating discussions, connect and develop new friendships.
For a parent of a child up to 14 months old.
Fall 2023 (12 sessions)
September 11-December 11
Class will not meet on Sept 25 and Oct 9
Members: $1020; Non-members: $1200
Register now for Winter/Spring 2024

Boker Tov, Baby!
Wednesdays from 10:15-11:00 AM
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.
Winter/ Spring 2024 (16 sessions)
Jan 10 – May 22| Except Feb 21, March 20 & 27 and April 24
Members: $480; Non-members: $560

Shiru Iti, Sing with Me!
Tuesdays from 10:15-11:00 AM
With Hadar Orshalimy
For ages 6-24 months
Tinokim, toddlers, and their grownups learn Hebrew through song, dance, and visuals in this joyous and interactive class led by musician, early-childhood educator and new Ima HADAR. Whether you’re a native Israeli or just want to expose your child to Ivrit – this class is for you!
Winter/Spring 2024 (17 Sessions)
Jan 9 – May 21 | Except: Feb 20; March 19 & 26; April 23
Members: $ 510; Non-members: $ 595

Parenting Toddlers and Twos
Mondays and Wednesdays
9:00 – 10:00 AM
For parents with children 6 months and older. 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.
Winter/Spring 2024 (32 sessions)
Jan 8 – May 22| Except: Jan 15, Feb 19, March 18, 20, 25 & 27 and April 22 & 29 (Passover)
Members: $3200; Non-members: $3680

Winter 2024 Grandparents Group
Fridays at 10:15 AM, on Zoom
With Jackie Fisher and Rabbi Ehrlich
Together, we’ll explore the many ways to enhance relationships between the generations: grandparents and their adult children – and grandchildren. This program is open to temple members and grandparents of member families.
Winter 2024 (3 sessions)
February 17, March 3, 10 and 17
$100 to register for all sessions

Winter/Spring 2024 Parents Group
Mondays 10:15 – 11:00 AM
Becoming a parent is a monumental time filled with love, joy, and gratitude. There are also challenges that accompany this meaningful transition. In our group we will discuss all aspects of parenthood – the excitement as well as the challenges and even the doubts that may come up. Topics will include understanding changes: how your identity changes, how family dynamics shift (in your immediate family as well as your extended family) along with practical concerns around caring for a newborn, self-care, and balancing new responsibilities. We look forward to having you join us in this supportive atmosphere where parents can engage in stimulating discussions, connect and develop new friendships.
For a parent of a child up to 14 months old.
Fall 2023 (12 sessions)
January 8 – May 20
Class will not meet on Jan 15; Feb 19; March 18 and 25 (Spring Break); April 22 and 29 (Passover)
Members: $1190; Non-members: $1400

Spring 2024 Grandparents Group
Fridays at 10:15 AM, on Zoom
With Jackie Fisher and Rabbi Ehrlich
Together, we’ll explore the many ways to enhance relationships between the generations: grandparents and their adult children – and grandchildren. This program is open to temple members and grandparents of member families.
Spring 2024 (3 sessions)
February 17, March 3, 10 and 17
$100 to register for all sessions
Shabbat Programs

Baby Shabbat
The 2022-2023 season has concluded
Baby Shabbat will resume in the Fall
Fridays, once a month from 9:15-9:45 AM
Baby Shabbat is a 30-minute program designed for younger siblings of Nursery School children, although all children younger than 18 months are welcome to attend. 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.
Baby Shabbats (up to 18 months) are held in the Library. Enter through 1 East 65th Street.
Young Families Shabbat
The 2022-2023 season has concluded
Young Families Shabbat will resume in the Fall
Saturdays once a month from 9:00-9:30 AM
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! Babies are welcome, too! There is no charge for this program.
Additional Programs for Families with Children
Emanu-El Downtown
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.
Learn More
Gather and Gather Family
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!
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.
New York, NY 10065
212-744-1400