Featured Family Programs

Featured Family Programs

Am Yisrael offers several programs and prayer services geared towards families with children.  All are designed with age appropriate activities and education in mind, within a Jewish context.

Erev Simchat Torah Celebration

Soon after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we celebrate the completion of the Torah reading for another year.  We chant the final verses of Devarim and begin anew with Beresheit.  Following the Israeli calendar, this year’s festivities include hakafot (dancing with the Torahs), pizza dinner and ice cream on Friday, October 6 from 5:45 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Family Education Sessions taught by Rabbi Newman Kamin & Hei (5th Grade) B’nai Mitzvah Workshop

Rabbi Newman Kamin meets with each of our Kindergarten through 8th Grade classes in our School of Jewish Studies (SJS).  Students, Parents, Grandparents and other family members are welcome to join these sessions.  These classes with the Rabbi concentrate on topics students are learning in their SJS classes.

The Clergy and Staff will meet with parents and students of Hei (5th Grade) students on their date listed below to discuss components of B’nai Mitzvah.

Please save the following dates and times on your calendars (listed from younger to older students):

  • Combined Gan, Alef and Bet (Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade): Sunday, November 12, 2023: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
  • Gimel (3rd Grade): Sunday, January 28, 2024: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
  • Dalet (4th Grade): Sunday, October 15, 2023: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
  • Hei (5th Grade): Sunday, February 11, 2024: 10:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. followed by B’nai Mitzvah Workship from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
  • Vav (6th Grade): Sunday, October 29, 2023: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
  • Combined Zayin & Het (7th-8th Grades): Sunday, January 14, 2024: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Family Shabbat Services

  • Please click here to learn about Family Shabbat Services.  Please save the following dates on your calendar for Family Shabbat Services, taking place in the Social Hall from 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m., followed by Kiddush Lunch.
    • October 7, 2023 (Simchat Torah on Israeli Calendar)
    • November 18, 2023
    • December 16, 2023
    • January 20, 2024
    • February 24, 2024
    • April 27, 2024

Friday Evening Service Special Shabbatot & Gimel Siddur Ceremony

We love inviting participation of our SJS & Youth Community in our services in the Sanctuary.  These services are one of the many ways that our students gain a tremendous comfort level in our Sanctuary and on our bimah.  We invite specific portions of our SJS & Youth Community to take English reading honors connected to themes in our prayers and/or help lead specific prayers they have been learning at our main Friday Evening Services throughout the year.

Please save the following dates and times on your calendars:

  • Gan, Alef and Bet (Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade): Friday, December 1, 2023 & Friday, May 10, 2024: 6:00 p.m.-6:50 p.m.
  • Gimel (3rd Grade): Friday, October 27, 2023 & Friday, February 9, 2024: 6:00 p.m.-6:50 p.m.  The February 9 service includes the presentation of copies of Siddur Lev Shalem to each Gimel student.
  • Dalet (4th Grade): Friday, October 27, 2023 & Friday, March 1, 2024: 6:00 p.m.-6:50 p.m.
  • Hei (5th Grade): Friday, October 13, 2023 & Friday, March 15, 2024: 6:00 p.m.-6:50 p.m.
  • Vav, Zayin & Het (6th, 7th & 8th Grades): Friday, November 10, 2023 and Friday, May 3, 2024: 6:00 p.m.-6:50 p.m.
  • 9th-12th Grades: Friday, January 12, 2024: 6:00 p.m.-6:50 p.m.

Intergenerational Torah Reading

For the past 13 years we have been giving opportunities for Intergenerational Torah Reading on various Shabbatot and holidays such as Simchat Torah, Pesach and Shavuot.  We have had two, three and up to four generations of Torah readers sharing verses of Torah to chant within an Aliyah.  Thus far we have had 97 Torah Readers who have earned the opportunity to design a personalized Yad as a part of this program.  If you are interested in becoming an “Aliyah Captain” or a member of our “Yad Squad” please be in contact with our Head of School, Mr. Charlie Sherman: 847-708-1805 (mobile) or csherman@amyisrael.org.

Updated September 28, 2023      13 Tishrei 5784