“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
Sep 13, Oct 4, Dec 6, Jan 10, Feb 7, Mar 6, May 1
$10 per adult, kids are free
Pre-register for the next dinner here or let Lisa know you’re coming here.
3-5 Year Old Shabbat Experience (follows Singin’ Swingin’ Shabbat)
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 9:30-10:15 AM
Begins September 7th!
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 play in the 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.
Fall
12–18-Month-Olds (and their grownups)
Thursdays, 10:00-11:00 AM
Sept 26 – Jan 23 (skipping Nov 28, Dec 26, Jan 2)
Fridays, 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Sept 27 – Jan 24 (skipping Nov 29, Dec 27, Jan 3)
16–24-Month-Olds (and their grownups)
Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 AM
Sept 24 – Jan 28 (skipping Oct 1, 8, Dec 24, 31)
Fridays, 9:00-10:00 AM
Sept 27 – Jan 24 (skipping Nov 29, Dec 27, Jan 3)
To be added to our Friday waitlist, email Lisa Schiff here.
*Classes for 12-18, 16-24, and 24-30 month-olds will begin in the spring
Children who turn 2 between September 1st and December 31st are eligible for our year-long separated program called, Learning Together and Apart. Please contact Debbie Semmel at dsemmel@rssnyc.org for more details.
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.
Fall Session
Fridays, 11:00 – 11:45 AM
Session 1: Sep 27; Oct 4, 11, 18, 25
Session 2: Nov 1, 8, 15, 22; Dec 6 (skipping Nov 29)
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!
Fall Session
Thursdays, 11:15 AM–12:00 PM
Session 1: Sept 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24
Session 2: Oct 31, Nov 7, 14, 21, Dec 5 (skipping Nov 28)
Baby and Me Infant Yoga
(for children 6 weeks–6 months)
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.
Fall Session
Wednesdays, 11:30 AM–12:15 PM
Session 1: Sept 25, Oct 2, 16, 23, 30 (skipping Oct 9)
Session 2: Nov 6, 13, 20, Dec 4, 11 (skipping Nov 27)
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!
Fall Session
Thursdays, 3:45–4:45PM
Bi-monthly: Sept 26, Oct 17, Nov 7, 21, Dec 5, 19
Register for Fall 2019
PJ Library Drop-in Story Time
(for children 2 and under and their grownups)
Free; no registration necessary
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
PJ Library Drop-in Story Time will return September 10th!
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
Sukkot
Shake your lulav and Etrog with our clergy at our annual Sukkot Harvest Festival! Join us for music, Sukkot-themed crafts, opportunities for community-service and more!
Sunday, Oct 13
4:00-4:30 PM (0-3 years)
4:30-6:00 PM (Ages 3+)
Free
Chanukah
Music, Chanukah- themed crafts, make your own jelly donuts and more!
Sunday, Dec 15
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Tu B’Shevat
Celebrate the birthday of the trees with this fun station-oriented family seder. Get ready to sing, enjoy fruits of all kinds, engage in art projects and more!
Sunday, Feb 9
5:00-6:00 PM
Free
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
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
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
This is a very special opportunity for parents and grandparents to indulge in a chocolate seder 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
Free
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 Hannah Lavan, LMSW and Lisa Schiff, 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.
Rodeph Sholom School Open Houses
2s and 3s: 8:45 AM Oct 4, 24, Nov 14
Pre-K and K: 8:45 AM Oct 3, 17
To RSVP for an Open House, visit rodephsholomschool.org/admissions. To set up a school tour, please call the Office of Admissions at 646.438.8600.
New Dads Drop-in Get Togethers
(6 weeks–18 months)
Saturdays, 12:30 PM
Free
Oct 26, 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.
Infant and Child CPR/First Aid
Tuesday Nov 5
8:30 AM
Free
Parents, expectant parents and caregivers will learn life-saving information on infant/child CPR including how to respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies and how to respond to common first aid emergencies, including burns; cuts; head, neck and back injuries and more.
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 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