“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)
Join us virtually via Zoom. Click here for more information.
Every Saturday, 9:00–9:45 AM
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!)
Future Dates TBA
3–5-Year-Old Shabbat Experience (follows Singin’ Swingin’ Shabbat)
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 9:30–10:15 AM
***will return in the Fall 2020***
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 12–24 months and their grownups)
15-class sessions
$700 for members/$800 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.
Fall 2020
12–18-Month-Olds (and their grownups)
Tuesday, 11:15 AM–12:15 PM
Sep 22–Jan 12 (skipping Dec 22, 29)
Fridays, 11:15 AM–12:15 PM
Sept 25–Jan 22 (skipping Nov 27, Dec 25, Jan 1)
16–24-Month-Olds (and their grownups)
Thursdays, 10:15 AM–11:15 AM
Sep 24–Jan 21 (skipping Nov 26, Dec 24, 31)
Fridays, 9:00 AM–10:00 AM
Sep 25–Jan 22 (skipping Nov 27, Dec 25, Jan 1)
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.
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!
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!
PJ Library Drop-in Story Time
(for children 2 and under and their grownups)
Free; pre-registration required (see below)
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.
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
These holidays have passed, but there’s always next year!
Sukkot || Chanukah || Tu B’Shevat || Purim || Passover
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Why should kids have all the fun? Come and learn with us, make new friends and more!
(Virtual) New Moms Group
(0–16 weeks)
Led by Rabbi Juliana Karol and Hannah Lavan, LMSW, this group will meet weekly to discuss what is relevant to you—recovery from childbirth, bottle- and breastfeeding, and the anxieties and pleasures of these early days during this unsettling time. Our conversation is grounded in Jewish values, but is open to all. Enjoy some social time and a safe space to discuss new motherhood. Let’s navigate this journey together.
Spring Virtual New Moms Group
4 Tuesdays, 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
May 5, 12, 19, 26
$100 for members and non-members
Summer Virtual New Moms Group
4 Tuesdays, 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
July 14, 21, 28, Aug 4
$100 for members and non-members
Fall
6 Tuesdays, 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
Session I: Sep 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13
Session II: Nov 10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 15
$150 for members/$180 for non-members
Jewish Parenthood
Tuesday, 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.
Director, 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