Torah teaching for toddlers

ILAN SARAGOSTI SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

When is a child too young to start their Jewish education? Never, says a growing list of Lower Mainland synagogues. A cadre of synagogues and community centres are welcoming the New Year with innovative programs aimed at parents with young toddlers, the goal being to begin the Jewish education process early, as well as offering parents and children a friendly place to meet and mingle.

One of the new classes this fall is at Har-El Synagogue on the North Shore. Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is a parent-child participation program for children up to four years old. Unlike a drop-off centre, parents must attend the educator-led sessions with their child and participate in the Jewish-themed lessons and games.

Saturday morning at the shul is Tot Shabbat, a monthly Shabbat program from 11 a.m. and noon, led by Rebbitzin Sara Birnham. The hour of Bible stories and fun activities is for slightly older children, two to five, and again parents must participate. Also being planned for fall are family education classes, bimonthly Sunday meetings where parents and children learn separately, then convene for refreshments.

"The goal of these programs is to educate Jewish children from an early age," said Har-El Rabbi Shmuel Birnham. "But equally important is to teach parents how to be comfortable in bringing Jewish spirituality into the home so that it happens naturally and early in their children's lives."

The impetus for these programs began with the parents themselves, who lobbied Har-El for Jewish activities to which they could bring their toddlers.
"One woman is having her baby this week, but she is already concerned about where the child will get its Jewish education," said director of education Doreen Rozen. "I think that says a lot about how much these programs are in demand."

Vancouver's Beth Israel also offers a wide range of toddler education programs, all with parent participation. On Friday mornings, fun Shabbat learning is available through two programs. The Sarah Baker Baby Club is from 10:30 a.m. to noon, for parents with newborns up to 18 months, while parents with toddlers 18-30 months head to the Sarah Baker Shabbat Club, which runs between 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Pre-registration is necessary for this year's new program, Jewish Cultural Arts for Toddlers (JCAT), running Wednesdays 9-11 a.m. JCAT sees parents with 18-36 month-olds gather to learn everyday skills, with a focus on Jewish education and arts.

At the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC) there are numerous toddler programs, including Bereishit, a five-day-a-week Jewish education day care for children between 18 and 36 months. The program, which runs from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., is accessible for both full-time and part-time participation. The JCC also offers Shabbat Shalom, Shabbat education classes every Friday morning. Two-year-olds come from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., while three- and four-year-olds are scheduled for 9-11:30 a.m. or 1-3:30 p.m.

At Temple Sholom, Tot Shabbat is the focus for parents and toddlers. Run once a month on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the program is aimed at children two to five, and is led by an early childhood educator. Shabbat activities and lunch are on the menu, and parents are welcome to stay but can also leave their children to join regular services.

The New Year brings a brand new Shabbat toddler program to Or Shalom – Maahtovu. The monthly program is Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m.-noon for children three to seven, and combines Jewish-themed songs, dancing and storytelling. Parents can stay or join services upstairs, while children up to three years old can be left with a child-minder in an adjoining room.

With new Rabbi Barry Leff only having just arrived in Vancouver this summer, Richmond's Beth Tikvah is going through some changes. These High Holidays will see Rebbitzin Lauri Leff running pilot activities for children under two, kids aged two to six, as well as those seven to 12 years old. Parents will then be asked to offer feedback to help organizers shape this year's Shabbat and holiday educational programs. Preschool at Beth Tikvah remains the same, however.
Two-year-olds go to the synagogue Tuesday-Friday mornings, while three-year-olds gather Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for Jewish education.

In preparing for the High Holidays, Schara Tzedeck is the place for children to learn what's what. Sunday, Sept. 1. from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., parents with children under 10 can join the Family Fun Cruise to learn all about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot in a fun environment. The synagogue organizes similar activities the last Sunday before all Jewish holidays.

As for the High Holidays themselves, synagogues offering youth activities or child-minding services are too numerous to mention. Synagogues are urging parents to call beforehand to inquire about times and activities.

Contact information for toddler programs is as follows:
• Har-El: Doreen Rozen, 604-922-8237.
• Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver: Roz Kushner-Belle:, 604-257-511, ext. 209.
• Beth Israel: Gaynor Levin, 604-731-1346 or 604-731-4161.
• Beth Tikvah: Rebbitzin Lauri Leff, 604-241-5966.
• Or Shalom: Jenny Wright, 604-266-3644, or Raziel Ross, 604-872-1614.
• Temple Sholom: Judith Wolfman, 604-266-7190.
• Schara Tzedeck: Rabbi Avi Berman, 604-736-7607.

Ilan Saragosti is a freelance writer and filmmaker living in Vancouver.

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