Fridays, September 23, November 4, January 21 and April 21, 5–6:30 pm, free
A special family Shabbat program designed for young children and their families at Ohef Sholom Temple, Kids & Kiddush uses prayer, songs, stories and crafts to introduce religious services and synagogue life. Each program begins with a kid-friendly dinner where parents, grandparents and children are able to meet and get to know each other. After the meal, the rabbi and cantor lead a short family service that includes prayer, songs and a story. Activities and crafts follow the service.
Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen, this year’s interim assistant rabbi at Ohef Sholom, also happens to be an author of children’s stories. She has written a popular holiday series featuring Engineer Ari and his train. Her books have been chosen as PJ Library selections and Engineer Ari is a Sydney Taylor Honor Book winner. Kids and Kiddush will feature her books this year.
This year’s schedule includes:
September 23: Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride. A Rosh Hashanah story based on the first historic train ride from Jaffa to Jerusalem in 1892, shortening the journey between the two cities from three days to three hours. Engineer Ari’s train is coming to Jerusalem collecting goodies along the way to celebrate the Jewish New Year, and he learns an important lesson along the way.
November 4: Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap. Hurrying home to celebrate Hanukkah, Engineer Ari screeches his train to a halt to avoid hitting a stubborn camel sitting on the tracks. The camel’s Bedouin owner invites Ari to his tent to await help, where the two have an impromptu Hanukkah celebration, and become friends.
January 21: The Seventh Day—Shabbat book. Like a potter, a painter and a musician, God creates the earth and what dwells there; then celebrates by sharing a cup of grape juice with the boy and girl he made in his image, and resting on the first Shabbat.
April 21: Rabbi Cohen’s new book, Engineer Arielle and the Jerusalem Surprise— publishing in time for Yom HaAtzmaut. For more information, call or email Kitty Wolf at 757-625-4295 or kitty@ohefsholom.org.
Kitty Wolf