“Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, ‘grow, grow.’”
–Talmud
Sholom Sprouts is Congregation Rodeph Sholom’s initiative for young children and the grown-ups who care for them! Offered in our beautifully renovated fifth floor, we welcome you into our vibrant Jewish community through Shabbat and holiday celebrations, music, art, and fun for the whole family.
Sholom Sprouts is engaging, enriching and based on Jewish themes and values. We offer programs in a new, beautifully renovated space designed especially to welcome families with young children.
Parent Testimonial–
“Sholom Sprouts has been an incredible way of staying connected to Judaism and Jewish traditions. My kids have embraced and absorbed Jewish songs and rituals in the initial years of their lives because of this amazing program!”
–Laura Boucai
Come and experience the magic of Shabbat at Congregation Rodeph Sholom! We have something for everyone!
Singin’ Swingin’ Shabbat
(for children 0–5 years old and their grownups)
Singin’ Swingin’ Shabbat will return September 7th!
Every Saturday, 9:00–9:45 AM
Held in our beautiful new 5th floor chapel, this playful and joyous weekly Shabbat is especially for little ones. Come and dance, make a happy noise with Tkiya, meet other parents, and get to know our clergy.
Sholom Sprouts Shabbat Dinner and Singalong
Our new Friday evening Shabbat Dinner and Singalong feeds the whole family in every way. Conducted monthly by Rodeph Sholom clergy and a vibrant songleader from Tkiya, these family dinners allow you and your kids to get your Shabbat on before bedtime with songs, stories, and crafts. (Grown-ups even have their own special Kiddush—l’chaim!)
Fridays, 4:30–6:00 PM
Dec 6, Jan 10, Feb 7, Mar 27, May 1
$10 per adult, kids are free
Pre-register for the next dinner here.
3–5-Year-Old Shabbat Experience (follows Singin’ Swingin’ Shabbat)
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 9:30-10:15 AM
Join us for elevated art and social justice projects based on Jewish values, holidays and Torah stories.
*No pre-registration required
Enroll your sprout in one of our many classes for children and their grownups at Congregation Rodeph Sholom!
Learning Together
(for kiddos 12 – 30 months and their grownups)
15-class sessions
$675 for members/$775 for non-members
Learning Together classes introduce children to the richness of a school setting. Each session children experience different classroom activities, including free choice, group time, and playtime in our mini gym. All classes incorporate celebrations of Jewish holidays and Thursday/Friday classes celebrate Shabbat with a special visit from our clergy. For more information, email Lisa Schiff at lschiff@crsnyc.org.
Spring
12–20-Month-Olds (and their grownups)
Thursdays, 11:15 AM–12:15 PM
Jan 30–Jun 4 (skipping Feb 20, Apr9, 16, May 28)
16–24-Month-Olds (and their grownups)
Thursdays,, 9:30 AM–10:30 AM
Jan 30–Jun 4 (skipping Feb 20, Apr 9, 16, May 28)
Fridays, 11:15 AM–12:15 PM
Jan 31–Jun 5 (skipping Feb 21, Apr 10, 17, May 29)
24–30-Month-Olds (and their grownups)
Tuesdays, 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
Feb 4–May 26 (skipping Feb 18, Apr 14)
Fridays, 9:00 AM–10:00 AM
Jan 31–Jun 5 (skipping Feb 21, Apr 10, 17, and May 29)
To be added to a waitlist for this class with the possibility of a second section, please email Lisa Schiff here.
Shabbat and Play: Drop In
(for tots 2 and under and their grownups)
5-class sessions or pay-per-class
$25 per class or $100 for 5-class session
Sing, dance, and play your way into Shabbat! Using music, stories, hands-on playtime in our mini gym and weekly visits from our clergy, this class will introduce your baby to the joy and spirit of this special time of the week.
Spring Session
Fridays, 11:00 AM–11:45 AM
Session 1: Jan 17–Feb 14
Session 2: Feb 28–Mar 27
Maccabees in Motion
(for children 12–24 months)
5-class sessions
$200 for members/$225 for non-members
Specially designed for you and your little Maccabee, this movement-based class will have your toddler learning to balance, run, kick, and play. Taught by a Jewish Educator and an experienced instructor from Super Soccer Stars Kick and Play along with puppet friends, Mimi and Pepe, we’ll take you through a soccer experience combining Jewish concepts with exciting physical activity—come have a blast!
Spring Session
Wednesdays, 11:15 AM–12:00 PM
Session 1: Jan 15–Feb 12
Session 2: Feb 26–Mar 25
Baby and Me Infant Yoga
(for children 6 weeks–early walkers)
5-class sessions
$200 for members/$225 for non-members
From asana to ahavah (love), tree pose to Torah, this unique class combines yoga, play, and Jewish concepts. Taught by experienced instructors from Karma Kids Yoga. All levels encouraged.
Pre-K Jewish Adventures
(for children entering Kindergarten in Fall of 2019 and Fall of 2020)
6 classes (bi-monthly)
$150 for members/$250 for non-members
Classes feature exciting Jewish Adventures through stories, cooking, art and yoga. Children make friends, explore Jewish values and holidays, and have fun!
Spring Session
Thursdays, 3:45 PM–4:45PM
Bi-monthly: Jan 16, 30, Feb 13, 27, Mar 12, Apr 2
Register for Spring 2020
PJ Library Drop-in Story Time
(for children 2 and under and their grownups)
Free; pre-registration required (see below)
***Cancelled for March 17 and 24***
Join us at this FREE weekly story time drop-in event, where we’ll read, sing songs, make friends—and begin a lifetime of loving books! PJ Library is known and loved for providing free Jewish children’s books to families across the world every month.
Tuesdays, 11:45–12:30 PM
***Please note: There will be no storytime on Tuesdays, December 24 and 31. We will begin our spring semester on January 7, and continue weekly through June 9, skipping February 18 and April 14.***
RSVP here
What’s a holiday without music, friends, and fun? Come to one, come to some, come to all.
Ages 0–5, except where otherwise noted
Purim
Havdalah and Hamantaschen
Join us for a rousing singalong featuring your favorite Purim tunes followed by hamantaschen-making!
Saturday, Feb 29
4:30-6:00 PM
$25 per family
Sprouts Purim Celebration
Join us for silliness, merriment, a costume parade, and more at this shpiel and carnival designed just for sprouts.
Sunday, Mar 8
10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Free
Important Change to Sunday’s Purim Program:
Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to adjust Sunday’s program with everyone’s health and safety in mind: We invite you to gather in our main sanctuary at 10:30 AM for a 30-minute Purim singalong that includes the Purim story and a costume parade led by Rabbi Greg Weitzman and Louie Glaser. At the end of our time together, each family will receive individually wrapped hamantaschen and a Purim-to-Go bag that includes an art project for each child, stickers and more.
We appreciate your flexibility.
Families with Children K and up
Join us for our Congregational Purim Shpiel and carnival.
Monday, Mar 9
5:30 PM
Passover
Grandparent/Parent Passover Chocolate Seder
Get ready for Passover with this fun and interactive experience designed for parents and grandparents with their sprout!
Sunday, Apr 2
4:30-6:00 PM
Shavuot
Join us for make your own sundaes, play-time on our outdoor playground and more!
Thursday, May 21
5:00-6:00 PM
$15 per family
These holidays have passed, but there’s always next year!
Sukkot || Chanukah || Tu B’Shevat
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Why should kids have all the fun? Come and learn with us, make new friends and more!
New Moms Group
(0–16 weeks)
6 classes
$150 for members/$180 for non-members
Led by Rabbi Juliana Karol and Hannah Lavan, LMSW, this group meets weekly to discuss what is relevant to you—recovery from childbirth, bottle and breastfeeding, and the anxieties and pleasures of these early days. Our conversation is grounded in Jewish values, but is open to all. Bring your newborn and enjoy a nosh, some social time and a safe space to discuss new motherhood. Let’s navigate this journey together.
Jewish Parenthood
Tuesdays, Apr 7 and Jun 9 at 7:00 PM
Free
Holy Jewish texts often highlight the negative and challenging aspects of parenthood—things like favoritism, sacrifice, or fighting. But reading between the lines yields much more wisdom. After all, we’ve been at this for millennia, and may have learned a thing or two! Using humor, Talmudic insight, and some old-fashioned common sense, Rabbi Greg Weitzman talks Jewish parenthood—and all that comes with it.
New Dads Drop-in Get Togethers
(6 weeks–18 months)
Saturdays, 12:30 PM
Free
Dec 14, Mar 7, TBD
While your baby gurgles, naps, and cries (we understand!) here’s your chance to share a casual Shabbat brunch and conversation with Rabbi Greg Weitzman and other new dads and their babies.
Manager, Sholom Sprouts
Lisa Schiff is an experienced Jewish educator with an expertise in early childhood family education. Lisa has been with our congregation for 5 years and lives on the Upper West Side with her husband David and their children Shayna and Ari. You can reach out to Lisa and learn more at lschiff@crsnyc.org.
Associate Rabbi
Rabbi Greg Weitzman has a lot of experience working in both formal and informal Jewish education. He spent fifteen summers at Eisner Camp as a camper, counselor, songleader, and Education Director. Rabbi Weitzman lives in Manhattan with his wife Ashley, their daughter Eden, their son Jonathan, and their Golden Doodle, Chewbacca. You can reach Rabbi Greg at rabbiweitzman@crsnyc.org.
Teacher, Learning Together
Megan Metrikin was born in South Africa and completed her theater studies at The University of Cape Town (UCT). She has worked extensively in children’s entertainment, theater, and taught in the Learning Together Program at Congregation Rodeph Sholom for 12 years.
Have a specific question?
Phone: (212) 362-8800, Fax: (212) 877-6526, Email: info@crsnyc.org
Emergency Call Number: (917) 902-6103 V2