Children’s Shabbat Prayer Services
GJC offers a range of prayer services for children allowing them to participate in meaningful, age-appropriate worship, as well as a range of programs that foster families’ connection with each other. Childcare and youth spaces are open on Shabbat. GJC’s children’s offerings run from September through May except for holidays; please check the calendar for current dates!
GJC’s policy is that all children must be fully immunized to participate in childcare programs at GJC. We ask that those who use our childcare services on Shabbat and holidays respect this policy.
GJC Young Families Friday Hangout
Monthly on Fridays from 4:00-5:15 PM on GJC’s back playground & in the Temin Canteen Room
Join us before Tot Shabbat for a young families (those with kids 0-5) hangout! This is a low-key playdate on the back playground and the Temin Canteen Room. Be sure to sign up for the pizza dinner at 5:15 PM. At 6:00 PM, we will welcome Shabbat with song, movement, and stories with a special focus. Questions? Email Megan GoldMarche at megan.bgold@gmail.com.
Friday Pizza Dinner
Monthly on Fridays at 5:15 PM in the Temin Canteen Room
This simple pizza dinner provides an opportunity to gather together, connect, laugh, and eat before GJC’s Friday Night Tot Shabbat with Chana Rothman. Vegan and gluten-free options are available (see form). The cost for the dinner is $18/family. Please consider sponsoring another family’s dinner if you can. Sponsorships are available. Registration can be found on GJC’s homepage under “Register.”
Tot Shabbat with Chana Rothman
Friday, Sept. 13 at 6:00 PM in the Temin Canteen Room
Join us for Tot Shabbat with Jewish singer-songwriter superstar Chana Rothman! The afternoon hangout begins at 4:00 on the playground and in the Temin Canteen Room, then moves into dinner at 5:15 PM. At 6:00 PM, we will welcome Shabbat with song, movement, and stories with a special focus. Tot Shabbat gatherings with Chana Rothman are creative, hands-on, and musical; this service will include acoustic guitar. Tot Shabbat is geared towards ages 1-5, but siblings and adults of all ages can enjoy it, too. Kaddish is said.
Ginat Shabbat
Saturdays | 11:00 AM | Weekly
Ginat Shabbat welcomes you and your young children to celebrate Shabbat together! Engage in singing and moving through interactive prayers as well as experiencing stories from our tradition. We come together for about 40 minutes in our own space (Room 205) at 11:00 AM on most Shabbat mornings. We are excited that Dr. Lyndall Miller, (a national consultant and mentor for Jewish early childhood programs) who founded the Ginat Shabbat service over 30 years ago, has returned to lead a team of Jewish educators in creating and leading a meaningful Jewish experience for young people and their grown-ups. Please contact Abby Weinberg at educator@germantownjewishcentre.org with questions. You are welcome to come for any length of time that you and your child find best. Challah and grape juice will be served!
Shabbat Childcare
Saturdays| 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | Weekly
We provide childcare for children aged 2-5 from September through May. This drop-off program is supervised by Tina Easley, one of GJC’s superstar preschool teachers. Children play, read stories, and eat snacks while parents participate in Shabbat and holiday services. GJC thanks Women of GJC for sponsoring Shabbat childcare and allowing us to provide this important service free of charge. For Shabbat, no reservations are necessary. For holidays, please see detailed information under High Holidays. GJC’s policy is that all children must be fully immunized to participate in childcare programs at GJC. We ask that those who use our childcare services on Shabbat and holidays respect this policy.
GJC Young Families Shabbat Afternoon Hangout
Saturday, Sept. 28 from 4:00-5:30 PM
Join us for this fun gathering for young families (those with kids 0-5) on Shabbat afternoons at the playground! We will meet around once a month from 4-5:30 (post-nap, before dinner) for a low-key playdate. We will have access to the downstairs bathroom. Please bring your water bottles! Questions? Can’t make it but interested in future hangouts? Want to help plan future young family gatherings? Email Megan GoldMarche, representative of the newly reconstituted GJC Young Families Committee at megan.bgold@gmail.com.
Family Shabbat Services
Click here for more information on Family Shabbat Services.
Shabbat Kids’ Space in the Quitman Library for kids 6-12
Kids between 6 and 12 years old are welcome to come and hang out, read, and play quiet Shabbat-friendly games in the Quitman Library under the supervision of a teen “madrich” (counselor) during Shabbat services. Kids can drop in as needed and should know where their parents are in case they need them. Pick-up is no later than 12:30.
Quiet play in all our prayer spaces
is supported by a collection of stuffed Torahs, lacing puzzles, books, and toys geared toward creating a welcoming environment for all of our community members.
GJC’s Playground
is always buzzing with activity on Shabbat. Designed with kids ages 1-7 in mind, children and their grown-ups can play, explore, and build community.