Preschool

AA hosts a division of the outstanding Epstein School that serves children 18 months to Pre-kindergarten. For more information, click here.

Religious School

This is not your parents’ religious school! Brand new and innovative, AA Religious School  makes learning fun, creative and individualized. For more information, click here.

FACES

FACES – Families and Children Enjoying Synagogue is the group for you if your family has children 8 and younger!  The programming is geared toward this important age-group with lots of tactile and fun learning and experiential opportunities.  Cornerstone programs include:  Chillin’ and Grillin’ BBQ, AAbsolutely 4Kids, Annual Sukkah party, Tu B’Shevat Unearths, Bidikat Hametz Hunt and the Lag B’Omer picnic. For more information, click here.  (Calendar)

AAbsolutely 4kids

AAbsolutely 4kids - A spiritual experience that will be remembered by the entire family. AAbsolutely 4kids is a most interactive experience encouraging parents and children not just to sing but to create the music themselves.  Real drums and hand precessions change the all-too- often passive experience of prayer into a non-stop roller coaster ride of a service.  Join Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal, Marcia Lindner and Michael Levine as we help our kids raise the roof of the AA building. Each service is preceded by a light dinner and Shabbat-friendly art project that is integrated into our Shabbat experience.  Following every service we enjoy a popsicle social.  Join us for “Absolutely 4kids – Shabbat with a Pop.” (Calendar)

Family Services

Family services take place the 1st Shabbat morning of the month at 10:45 am. Children and their families participate together in tefillot and discussions about prayers and their meanings, the weekly parsha and other relevant Jewish material. Everyone is welcome. (Calendar)

Holidays

The Education Department offers age appropriate programs to prepare for upcoming holidays as well as provides opportunities to celebrate together.  Join us as we decorate a communal sukkah, unroll an entire torah, compete in the dreidle spin-off, taste exotic fruits connected with Eretz Yisrael, enjoy one of the best Purim celebrations in town, experience the exodus from Egypt, Celebrate Israel’s birth and gather round the campfire for Lag B’Omer.    (Calendar)

Babysitting

Babysitting for children ages 8 weeks to 5 years of age every Shabbat and holiday.  The childcare room is staffed by Homestaff agency, and all sitters are adults who are licensed and trained.  No RSVP is necessary.  Babysitting is offered from 9 AM until 1 PM 
Childcare is also available for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.  Pre-Registration is required and walk-ins cannot be accepted in order to ensure the appropriate ratio of caregivers to children.  High Holiday Childcare Registration is advertised in advance.  (Calendar) 

Preteens & Teens

Ahavath Achim offers a variety of activities for pre-teens and teens.  Kadima (grades 6-8) and USY (Grades 9-12) are youth groups available to our congregants.  These groups provide opportunities for our children to socialize, learn, and experience Judaism together in an informal environment.  In addition to youth groups, teens can become involved in our Madrichim program acting as role models in the Religious School Classroom.  Volunteer opportunity, educational opportunities and Supplemental  Jewish experiences are all available to our teens

For more information, click here.

College Outreach

College Outreach Committee establishes a bond between the synagogue and our students who are away from home either at a secondary or grad school. We send packages to the students between 3 and 4 times during the year to let them know we are thinking of them and just keeping in touch. To make sure your college-aged child is on our list, please contact Rabbi Rosenthal.

Programming for Kids and Families is overseen by the Youth & Family Education and Programming Committee. To volunteer, contact the co-chairs Doug Ander or Jon Colton.