Family Programs
Kane Street Synagogue has a large and active community of families with children.
Our mission:
To help families celebrate, learn and enjoy Jewish life to the fullest!
We have programs and special events for families with infants through b'nei mitzvah age and beyond. Scroll down to find out more about them!
Click here for the full 2023-2024 calendar
Shabbat Mishpaẖa
Friday Evenings 9/29, 12/15, 3/8, 5/31
kanestreet.org/shabbat-mishpahaShabbat Mishpaha (Family Shabbat) for families with kids age 1-6 (through K)
5pm Blessings and dinner with kid-friendly and adult-tasty food, beer, wine. Free,thanks to sponsors
Register in advance or sign up to sponsor
kanestreet.org/shabbat-mishpaha
Shabbat Yeladim
Friday Evenings 10/20, 1/19, 4/12
kanestreet.org/shabbat-yeladimShabbat Yeladim (Children's Shabbat) for families with kids in grades 1-4.
5:15pm Blessings and dinner with kid-friendly and adult-tasty food, beer, wine. Free,thanks to sponsors
followed by 6:15pm Shabbat services led by Rabbi Dardashti & Cantor Sarah.
Register in advance or sign up to sponsor
kanestreet.org/shabbat-mishpaha
Shabbat Noar
Friday Evenings 11/17, 2/9, 5/3
Shabbat Noar (Youth Shabbat) for families with kids in grades 5-75:45pm noshes and drinks
6:15pm service led by Rabbi Dardashti & Cantor Sarah
followed by dinner with tasty food, beer and wine for adults and dessert!
The dinner is free and is sponsored by a few families each time, which covers the cost of the event.
Register in advance or sign up to sponsor
kanestreet.org/shabbat-noar
Youth and Family
Shabbat Morning Services
Most weeks during the school year we hold Shabbat morning services for families and kids. We all gather with the main service in the sanctuary at the end to close out our services as one community.
In the Goldman Educational Center Building
2023-2024
September 9 - June 15
(No services 11/25, 12/23, 12/30, 2/17, 4/27, 5/25)
Mini Minyan
11:15am - 11:55am3rd floor of the Goldman Educational Center
for children ages 1-4 with a grown up.
Led by Adina Ornstein-Luks and Ariel Nassau
A unique blend of silliness and soul. Children and family members sing prayers, dance and hear stories, march with stuffed Torahs and fall in love with a joyful Judaism! Each Mini Minyan concludes with hallah and grape juice (of course!)
Kinder Minyan
11:15am-12:00pm2nd Floor of the Goldman Educational Center
for children in Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2,
and their families.
Led by Landon Braverman
A fun, friend-filled time to be inspired. Children attend with or without a grown-up. Singing, learning and a story are led by Landon Braverman using a colorful siddur that kids enjoy. We end in the main sanctuary with the whole congregation and kiddush lunch
Minyan Noar
11:15am-12:05pmIn the Chapel, 2nd floor of the Goldman Educational Center
for children in Grades 3 through 7, and their families
(We welcome parents to drop off kids here so they can go to the main service)
Led by Rabbi Val, Melissa Zimmerman, Sarah Rebell and Teen Apprentices.
Kids explore meanings of rituals and prayers, sing and master tefillot. Kids take all the Torah service honors, learning how to carry, bless read the Torah and discuss it vigorously. Dramatic re-enactments of Torah are favorites. Each week is an adventure! We end in the main sanctuary with the whole congregation and kiddush lunch
Havdalah with a Camp Vibe
co-hosted by Eden Village, Sprout, and Eisner/Crane Lake
Saturdays
October 21, 6:30pm - 8pm
co-hosted by Eden Village CampPlease RSVP here.
December 9, 5pm - 6:30pm
co-hosted by Sprout Brooklyn Day Camp & Sprout Lake CampJanuary 6, 5:30pm - 7pm
co-hosted by Eisner Camp & Crane Lake CampDuring the winter months when the sun sets early, we hold Family Havdalah Nights on selected Saturday evenings. Members of Camp staffs bring activities and musicians so we can all experience Havdalah like we might at summer camp.
The Havdalah separates Shabbat from the rest of the week with a brief ceremony which engages the senses and the spirit.
Yom Siddur ~ Prayerbook Day
Yom Siddur is an annual event in which each of the 3rd graders in our member's families receives their very own inscribed prayer books during the main sanctuary servies. This is a highlight event for the 8 year olds each year, and they relish carrying their siddur to services when they attend.November 4, 2023
High Holy Days
Each year for High Holidays families with kids gather for dynamic services in the main sanctuary and we hold Family Services as well. These are led by Rabbi Val Lieber, Melissa Zimmerman and Landon Braverman and Adina Ornstein-LuksTo register (members) or to purchase tickets (non-members) please click here
Services are by age cohort, with service leaders who cater the tone and level to each age group
Mini Minyan
for families with infants, toddlers and preschoolersKinder Minyan
for families with children in K-grade 2.Minyan Noar
for families with children in grade 3-6.At this level several children practice and prepare a 1-2 verse Torah chanting and lead the Torah reading.
Teen Service
for students in grades 8-12
Rosh Hashanah
We welcome the new year with blasts of the shofar, stories, Torah and song. On the first day of Rosh Hashanah we hold services. On the second day we have games, singing, a play and a story to highlight the meanings and purposes of Rosh Hashanah. Children get apple and honey candy.
2023:
Saturday, September 16
First day of Rosh Hashanah
- 9am - 9:35am Mini Minyan #1
- 9:45am - 10:45am Kinder Minyan
- 11am - 12:15pm Minyan Noar
- 12:30pm - 1:10pm Mini Minyan #2
- 12:30pm - 1:25pm Teen Service
Sunday, September 17
Second day of Rosh Hashanah
10:15am Rosh Hashanah interactice games and shofar blasts for age 2-8
11:15am Rosh Hashanah Minyan Noar
Yom Kippur
We observe the Day of Atonement through prayer, stories and finding ways to express how we are sorry for failures in the past year and our hopes for the coming year.
Monday, September 25
- 9am - 9:35am Mini Minyan #1
- 9:45am - 10:45am Kinder Minyan
- 11am - 12:15pm Minyan Noar
- 12:30pm - 1:10pm Mini Minyan #2
- 12:30pm - 1:25pm Teen Service
Sukkot
Sukkot is the Jewish harvest holiday each fall.Friday, September 29, 4pm - 5pm
Children of all ages with their grown-up are invited to create decorations for the Sukkah in our courtyard.We invite all ages to help
Saturday, September 30, 11:15am
Sukkot Youth and Family Services
Sunday, October 1, 2pm
Sukkah Hop - going from home to home to visit different family sukkot. Best for children 6+
On Simẖat Torah we finish reading the end of the Torah scroll and start again at the beginning.
Saturday, October 7,
6pm On Simchat Torah we gather our 12 year old 7th graders and have a ceremony to give each of them a personally embossed copy of the Humash, Etz Chaim Torah Commentary which they will use to prepare for B'nei Mitzvah.
6:30pm Simhat Torah service and dinner
Sunday, October 8
10:30am Festive Hakkafot (Torah processions, dancing and singing)
2:15pm Simhat Torah Tree of Life Eco-Scavenger Hunt and clean up at Prospect Park. For families with kids age 4-9.
Meet at the statue James Stranahan Monument neear the Grand Army Plaza entrance.
Simhat Torah
On Simẖat Torah we finish reading the end of the Torah scroll and start again at the beginning.
Saturday, October 7,
6pm On Simchat Torah we gather our 12 year old 7th graders and have a ceremony to give each of them a personally embossed copy of the Humash, Etz Chaim Torah Commentary which they will use to prepare for B'nei Mitzvah.
6:30pm Simhat Torah service and dinner
Sunday, October 8
10:30am Festive Hakkafot (Torah processions, dancing and singing)
2:15pm Simhat Torah Tree of Life Eco-Scavenger Hunt and clean up at Prospect Park. For families with kids age 4-9.
Meet at the statue James Stranahan Monument neear the Grand Army Plaza entrance.
H̱anukkah
H̱anukkah is the festival of lights celebrated at the darkest time of year. We bring light and joy to families in our celebrations.Sunday, December 3, 10:30am
The parents of the Preschool, Kane Street Kids are holding a Hanukkah Bazaar to give parents a leg up on shopping.10:30 - 12pm Chanukah Fest!
Meanwhile, we have kids activities for ages 3-8 during this time
Thursday, December 14, 5pm - 8pm
Intergenerational Hanukkah party with music, food and tons more! 2022:
Tu B'Shvat
Tu B'Shvat is the festival of trees. We celebrate by eating a variety of fruits and pledge to protect our natural world.Sunday, January 21,
Bake for the Biosphere Social Action eventages 7-14 and families, 11am - 1pm
Family Tu B’Shvat Fest
age 0-6 and familiies
2pm - 3pm Stories, fruit tasting, games and art
KSK Preschool Admissions Event, 2:30pm
Tu B’Shvat Seder all ages 4:30pm
Purim
Purim is a holiday to rejoice, wear costumes, give gifts and gather as a community to acclaim the Jewish heroes who bravely stood up to tyrants.This year we are teaming up with Hannah Senesh Community Day School for a blowout Purim!
Sunday, March 24, 10:30am-12:03pm
at Hannah Senesh Community Day School
Passover
Passover is the festival of freedom.
Sunday, April 14
10:30am - 12pm Matzah-Baking and Elijah Cup Decorating for families with children ages 1-5
1pm - 2:15pm Chocolate Seder for families with kids in K-grade 7. Sign up here by April 1.
Yom Ha'atzmaut
Yom Ha'atzmaut is Israel's independence day when we celebrate Israeli culture.Tuesday, May 14 (on Yom Ha'atzmaut) 5pm - 7pm
Yom Ha’atzmaut Festival @ Hannah Senesh Community Day School
Sunday, May 19
11am - 12pm
Israel Independence Day Celebration with arts and games, for families with children. age 2-6
1pm - 2pm
Israel Independence Day Maccabiah (races and silly competitions) in Columbus Park ages 7-12 & families
Our members and friends have widely divergent connections to and views about Israel, and our Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration is cultural and apolitical.
Bringing Stories to Life
In the Build-Your-Own Jewish Musical program children in grades 3-6 create and perform an original musical based on a Jewish story. Led by Musical Theater composer Landon Braverman, BYOJM meets weekly on Mondays 6:00-7:00pm starting in mid-October through late May.
Build Your Own Jewish Musical is an immersive and engaging theatrical program that gives participants the exciting opportunity to be the creators and stars of their own new original musical. Throughout the program, participants learn the basics of how to adapt a Jewish text, write music and lyrics, and stage their show. The program culminates with a fully staged production of their show. The program instills collaboration, leadership, crreativity and a sense of one's place in Jewish history.
To see past musicals from 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 please go to kanestreet.org/BYOJM.
FEBRUARY BREAK DAY CAMP @ Hannah Senesh
Tuesday, February 20 - Friday, February 23
9am - 4pmCamp with Jewish themes and Jewish diversity held at Hannah Senesh Community Day School. Open to all kids in K-Grade 3
Friendraiser & Funraiser
Since 2016 each February people of all ages flock to the synaogogue for the best event all year - Trivia Night.There is something for all ages. Great food, fun times, prizes, and friends!
Many children in the Kane Street Synagogue community attend Jewish summer camps, and the synagogue promotes Jewish camping - both day camping for young children and sleep-away camp for older kids. The synagogue has a scholarship program to support member families sending their children to Jewish overnight camp and teen travel programs.
For more information about the value of camping and about specific camps please click here.
To apply for overnight camp scholarships, please click here.
Pursuing social justice is important for many families in our community. We provide many opportunities to gather and do the mitzvah of tikkun olam together - thereby instilling a desire in our children to continue to fulfill this sacred calling.
Over the years with even the youngest kids we have volunteered at the Gowanus Canal Conservancy; collected and sorted baby clothes for new mothers lacking the resources to purchase them; created bike-a-thons to send bicycles to girls in East Aftrica; did bakesales for new refugees; walked to support research for Juvenile Diabetes and Juvenile Myocitis; filled and mailed backpacks full of daily necessities for children in Texas who had just crossed the border; and many more.
We often work together with Repair The World Brooklyn whose family service program is terrific.
Coming of Age with B'nei Mitzvah
B'nei Mitzvah is a personal milestone for 13 year-olds and also a significant time of transition for the entire family. At Kane Street, B'nei Mitzvah is an opportunity for an adolescent and their family to celebrate on the way toward living a full adult Jewish life.
Rabbi Dardashti and Cantor Sarah have shaped the B'nei Mitzvah program to be full of meaning, powerfully transformative and joyous.
Come attend a B'nei Mitzvah service on Shabbat. See the synagogue calendar for all the dates.
For more information about the preparation, please see this document.
Communication with Parents
- Calendar of upcoming events
- Shabbat service schedule
- Websites to visit for books to read
- Fun family activities
- Explanations of upcoming events, fundraisers and other things happening in and around Kane Street
- Photos of families having a great time.
If you would like to receive the weekly e-newsletter about all of the synagogue programs, please keep scrolling down just a bit and fill out the form at the bottom of this page to be added to "Kane Street Connections."
About Our Director
Contact
For further information about our family Programming, please contact: RabbiVal@kanestreet.org or at 718-875-1550.
