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.
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
High Holiday Band & Havdalah | Session 3
Calling all musical children and parents! Children of all musical ability levels are invited to gather with their parents for our final rehearsal of CBI & Nefesh's High Holiday Band! Rehearsals will take place at a private home in Lanesborough, MA; for further details, please contact [email protected].
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Free
Apple Cake & New Beginnings: A Rosh Hashanah Celebration at the Market
Celebrate the sweetness of the Jewish New Year at the Bennington Community Market! We’ll bake delicious apple cake using freshly picked, local apples before heading outdoors to the farmer’s market to share the spirit of Rosh Hashanah with others by offering samples of our homemade apple cake and filling the air with joyful Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat melodies at the mic. All ages welcome!
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Free
Bennington Community Market,
239 Main Street
Bennington, VT 05201 United States
+ Google MapBennington, VT 05201 United States
Rosh Hashanah I Morning Service 5786
Please join us for our Rosh Hashanah I morning service, led by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat and Rabbi Jarah Greenfield. Blowing of the Shofar and Tashlich will follow. Please note that onsite parking for this service will be limited.
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Free
Congregation Beth Israel,
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
Yom Kippur 5786 Morning Service with Yizkor
Please join us for our annual Yom Kippur morning service, led by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat and Rabbi Jarah Greenfield, with support from community musicians and choir. Yizkor / Memorial Service will take place at the end of morning service. Please note that onsite parking for this service will be limited.
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Free
Congregation Beth Israel,
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
Yom Kippur 5786 Break-the-Fast Meal
☆ PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT REQUIRES PAID TICKETS TO ATTEND. ☆ As this is a catered event, all registrations must be received by no later than Thursday, September 25, 2025. We will not be able to accommodate late RSVPs or walk-ins — thank you for understanding.
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Free – $20.00
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Congregation Beth Israel,
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
Harvest Moon Sukkot Potluck
We’ll welcome Shabbat and Sukkot together by blessing challah, juice, and candles, and then enjoy a potluck vegetarian feast followed by opportunities to bentsch lulav and to sit around the bonfire and sing. Please RSVP by no later than Monday, October 6 if your family plans on attending.
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Free
Congregation Beth Israel,
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
Simchat Torah Dance Party with Community Band
Join Rabbi Rachel Barenblat and CBI Community Musicians for a celebration of Simchat Torah ("Rejoicing in the Torah"), the culmination of our fall festival season! A short-and-sweet festival ma'ariv will have as its centerpiece seven hakafot / circle dances with the Torah. A vegetarian / dairy potluck dinner will follow.
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Free
Congregation Beth Israel,
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
Community Social Hour: Join Us for Coffee & Bagels!
Fostering community is a key goal for the year ahead. Please join the CBI Board, Rabbi Rachel, and other members and friends for the first in a series of community […]
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Free
Congregation Beth Israel,
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
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
Congregation Beth Israel,
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
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