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
Chanukah Art for Our Town
Join us in creating beautiful Chanukah decorations to brighten our town this winter! We’ll meet in Bennington VT to craft decorative art pieces featuring inspiring Jewish quotes for public display, sharing the light of Chanukah with the wider community. All ages are welcome — come help us shine a little brighter this Chanukah! To participate in this project, please RSVP via our website by no later than Monday, December 1.
Find out more » Free
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 have learned. Pasta donations for the Berkshire Food Project will be collected, so please bring an unopened box of pasta with you to contribute to our cause.
Find out more » Free
Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
Community Chanukah Concert 5786
Join the CBI choir and musicians for a celebration of the Festival of Lights with music both old and new! Musical selections will include traditional Ashkenazi and Sephardi Chanukah songs as well as contemporary compositions. We’ll close with a family-friendly singalong featuring some favorite Chanukah tunes. After the concert, we’ll segue into potluck refreshments, dreidels and gelt, and kid-friendly Chanukah arts and crafts; please bring a contribution for the potluck table.
Find out more » Free
Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
Bennington Community Chanukah Candle Lighting
We'll gather for a community candle lighting in Bennington VT, dedicate our Chanukah art project, and enjoy homemade sufganiyot! All ages are welcome — come help us shine a little brighter this Chanukah! To participate in this project, please RSVP via our website by no later than Monday, December 1.
Find out more » Free
Mitzvah Meal at Second Congregational Church
Come help cook a community meal at Second Congregational Church in Bennington, VT! Grateful Hearts will provide the main course and we'll be providing a salad and dessert. Please RSVP online if your family plans to attend.
Find out more » Free
Second Congregational Church, 115 Hillside Street
Bennington, VT 01201 United States
+ Google MapBennington, VT 01201 United States
Bible Players Torah Improv & Comedy
The Bible Players are a Torah Comedy team that teaches Jewish Values through theater and improv to infuse comedy and laughs into tales from the Torah and beyond. Come see them in action at CBI as they bring their unique and interactive show to all ages! Children, parents, and adults of any age are welcome to attend; please RSVP in advance.
Find out more » Free
Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 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 offsite in Bennington, VT.
Find out more » Free
Purimspiel Potluck & Party
Join the CBI community and Rabbi Rachel in your favorite costume as we re-enact the Purim story, drown out the name of Haman, and rejoice in the “light and honor” the megillah promises will be our people’s future. Please bring a (vegetarian / dairy) dish to share. We’ll nosh on an early supper followed by a spirited retelling of the megillah of Esther and wrap up the evening with homemade hamentaschen!
Find out more » Free
Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247 United States
+ Google MapNorth Adams, MA 01247 United States
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