STUFF: Sinai Temple Under Five Families

STUFF is a committee that organizes and offers Jewish experiences designed specifically for the youngest members of our congregation and their families. It is an expansion of the formerly named “tot” programming. STUFF also refers to all families with children or grandchildren 0-5 years old at Sinai Temple.

Events 5772 Flyer

Tot Shabbat and Dinner

Tot Shabbat is a special, musical, and interactive service (about 30 minutes) designed especially for young children.  Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and young school-aged children are welcome to attend this service with their siblings and families.  The service includes a “Kid’s Kiddush” with challah, juice, candlelighting, and blessings.   Tot Shabbat is held at 6:00pm on Friday nights on a monthly basis with a child-friendly dinner following the service.  There is no charge for Tot Shabbat, but there may be a small cost for dinner. You do not need to be a current member of Sinai Temple to attend Tot Shabbat.
Tot Shabbat/Dinner dates for 2011-2012 (5772):
Friday, October 21
Friday, November 18
Friday, January 13
Friday, February 10
Friday, March 9
Friday, April 13
Friday, May 25
Friday, June 22

Bagels & Blocks

Bagels & Blocks is a holiday-themed morning program for children and their parents (or other grown-ups) on Sunday mornings from 10:00-11:30am. This special time is filled with holiday-themed arts and crafts, games, activities, songs, and stories. We’ll also play with blocks and enjoy yummy bagels! Children ages 0-5 years old and their siblings are welcome to attend this program, but please note that some of the activities within this program are intended for children older than 18 months (i.e. craft). You do not need to be a current member of Sinai Temple to attend these programs.
Bagels and Blocks dates and holiday themes for 2011-2012 (5772):
Sunday, October 2: Sukkot and Simchat Torah
Sunday, November 6: Shabbat
Sunday, December 11: Chanukah
Sunday, January 22: Tu B’Shevat
Sunday, March 18: Purim
Sunday, April 1: Passover
Sunday, May 6: Shavuot

High Holiday Services for 2011 (5772):

Thursday, September 29th, 8:30-9:15am:
Rosh Hashanah Service for STUFF and families with children up to age 7 years old

Saturday, October 8th, 2:00pm:
Yom Kippur Service for STUFF and families with children up to age 7 years old

Click here to see photos from Rosh Hashanah 5771 (2010)

Other Happenings for STUFF

Chanukah Shabbat Service/Chanukah Party – On Friday, December 23rd, 2011, at 6:00p.m., there will be a Chanukah Shabbat Service followed by dinner and Chanukah festivities.  Families with young children are encouraged to attend this congregation-wide event that is very family-friendly.

Esther Pachman Fund for Children Under Five
The Esther Pachman Fund for Programming for Children Under Five makes it possible for Sinai Temple to provide Tot Shabbat Services and other meaningful and engaging experiences for our youngest congregants (0-5 years old) and their families.

The fund was established by the Courtemanche Family in memory of Melanie Courtemanche’s grandmother, Esther Pachman, who would have loved to have been a part of STUFF. This fund is now another option when making a contribution to Sinai and is an excellent way to celebrate a birth, an adoption, a birthday, a B’nai Mitzvah or other milestone, or to honor or remember a loved one.

To make an online donation to support STUFF programs and activities please click here and select EP Fund for Children Under 5 (at the bottom of the form). To send in a donation to support STUFF programs and activities, please click here and select Esther Pachman Fund for Children Under Five from the list and mail the form along with your contribution to Sinai Temple.

Internet Resources for Families with Young Children

Parents’ section on the URJ website has lots of fabulous ideas for morning/bedtime rituals, Shabbat, and other holidays 

Jewish Culture Connect lists events and programs in our area

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For more information regarding events and activities for STUFF or to be on the STUFF Committee, please contact:

Melanie Courtemanche
Alisha Snow