Welcome Parents!

Netivot Shalom is a congregation that truly welcomes all ages with great excitement and delight! We offer special programs during Shabbat, holidays, and throughout the year for families with children 0-5.

Our new series of MISHPACHA programs provides opportunities to connect families with young children to each other and to the larger Netivot Shalom community.

MISHPACHA KABBALAT SHABBAT

Families with children ages 0-5 are invited to an early evening Shabbat-themed play experience on the preschool yard, followed by a child-friendly Shabbat dinner. This program leads into the community-wide Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv service at 6 p.m. with an all-age dinner at 7 p.m. Childcare is available for families who wish to stay for the service.

Schedule
    4:30 pm Shabbat-themed play and activities for children 0-5
    5:15 pm Child-friendly dinner
    6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
    7:00 pm Shabbat dinner for all ages

The child-friendly dinner is $5/plate. RSVP for dinner by 9 am the morning of each Mishpacha Kabbalat Shabbat Program.

  • Dates for the 2025-26 year will be published soon.

MISHPACHA SHABBAT MORNINGS

Families with children ages 0-5 are invited to a child-focused Shabbat service held in either the preschool yard or classroom. Rabbi Chai and special guest service leaders alternate leading prayers, singing songs, telling stories, and exploring Judaism twice a month.

Schedule
     10:30 am Rabbi Chai or Guest Service Leader
     10:50 am Kiddush & Snack
     11:00 am-12:30 pm Supervised childcare available on the preschool playground

  • Dates for the 2025-26 year will be published soon.

MISHPACHA BA’SHANA – THROUGHOUT THE  YEAR

Stay tuned!

Guidelines

Children are an essential part of our thriving community and are encouraged to attend Shabbat services and programs. Parents and adult caregivers are expected to supervise their children unless they are signed into a Youth and Family Education Program. Our community values kavod (behaving with respect) for our sacred space and for our neighbors by walking, using inside voices, and using The Berkeley Schoolyard and Preschool playground only during authorized times of supervised play. Thank you to our youth and families!

Please follow these guidelines to ensure that we protect the safety of each child and allow all of us to share the joy of Shabbat:

  • Children under bar mitzvah age should either be with their parents or at one of the above programs or childcare locations.
  • No children are allowed in the next-door Berkeley School playground without being supervised by youth engagement staff or a designated adult.
  • All areas must be cleaned up, and all games and toys returned to their proper locations.

QUESTIONS ABOUT MISHPACHA PROGRAMS?

For more information about Mishpacha Programs, please contact Hillary Fox at youth@netivotshalom.org.