We are overjoyed to hear the laughter of children and see them smile while engaged in learning, socializing, and understanding what it means to be Jewish. That is why we plan special events every month where young children and their families can engage in fun and meaningful ways with our Jewish traditions and make new connections with one another.
Whether we’re hearing Rosh Hashanah stories in an apple orchard, spinning dreidels by a Chanukah bonfire, celebrating Havdalah, or baking hamentaschen for Purim, we welcome the youngest among us (and their parents) to learn, have fun, and enjoy being Jewish. (Our deepest thanks go to the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for their assistance by funding our family education programming.)
You do not need to be a member to attend any of our events or services. Interfaith families, LGBTQIA+ families, and however you define your family, our events are inclusive and all families are welcome.
Families with young children are also always welcome to be full participants at all of our services and in the life of Congregation Beth Israel.
Young Family Events
Young Family Storytime and Havdalah
Connect with other young families, hear Jewish stories, and celebrate the end of Shabbat. We’ll light our special braided candles, hear stories, learn a song, and share a blessing. (Three times a year.)
Rosh Hashana Sweet Storytime
Hear New Year’s stories in an apple orchard as we start the year with sweet apples and honey.
Tend Our Garden and Our Earth
Get ready for the autumn with a hands-on afternoon of learning about the wonders of nature! We’ll tuck in our pollinator garden for the winter, play, read books, and learn about the Jewish values of tending to the Earth.
Cooking With Caleb
Treats taste better when you make them yourself! Join us with professional baker Caleb and make Chanukah cookies, Purim Hamentaschen, or Passover Matzah for the holiday. We’ll roll out the dough, bake in our oven, read stories, and enjoy what we made. (Three times a year at Chanukah, Purim, and Passover.)
Chanukah Bonfire
Come to our campfire/bonfire Chanukah celebration in CBI’s backyard. Sit around our firepit, sing Chanukah songs led by Rabbi Rachel with her guitar, enjoy fried donuts, and sip apple juice (hot apple cider for the adults).
Yoga in the Labyrinth
Celebrate the warm days with Omer/Torah Yoga taught by Jen Burt on our backyard labyrinth with views of the mountains.
Upcoming Family Events
Chanukah Candle Making (Bennington, VT)
Make your own colorful, hand-dipped beeswax candles for Chanukah! This workshop is geared toward families with children ages 3 and older (teens and adults are also welcome). This event is […]
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Free
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Jewish Journeys Shabbat
Join us for a special family Shabbat service to celebrate Shabbat in community as we interweave the morning service with opportunities for our Jewish Journeys students to share what they […]
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Free
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Congregation Beth Israel,
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
Chanukah Celebration & Songfest
Come celebrate Chanukah with the CBI community! This year we're celebrating indoors (no bonfire) due to regional wildfire risk, but we'll have just as much joy and music as in […]
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Free
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Congregation Beth Israel,
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
Chanukah Party (North Bennington, VT)
Come for latkes and candle lighting, drinks for the adults, and dreidels and art for the kids. Bring your hanukkiah (Chanukah menorah) from home and we'll light candles together. Located […]
Find out more »Make Care Packages for Hospitalized Children
Learn about the mitzvah of caring for the sick and bring a package of items to contribute to care packages for children at Berkshire Medical Center. Families with kids of […]
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Free
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Mitzvah: Make a Meal for the Hungry
Prepare a meal for the many who rely on Bennington's monthly community dinner and learn about the mitzvah of providing for those in need. This event will be held at […]
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Free
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Second Congregational Church,
115 Hillside Street
Bennington, VT 01201 United States
+ Google MapBennington, VT 01201 United States
Bake & Deliver Hamantaschen
Bring Purim joy to homebound seniors and community members by baking fresh Hamantaschen and delivering misloach manot packages! This event will be held in Bennington, VT; for more information, please […]
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Free
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