Jonah, Vera & I got our Shabbot selves ready and off we went. Singing Bim Bam the whole way there in the car. Tifereth Israel is a Conservative Synagogue located about 2 miles from us on 16th Street, NW. It was an easy drive. We got there right on time (this is always a good start for us). They hold the Tot Shabbot service in a room on the main floor. It is a nice sized room with a kid friendly feel. There are chairs set up in a semi circle around a big carpeted space. In front there is a table/bima covered with a hand decorated talit and an "arc" filled with stuffed Torahs.
There was one "leader" and another person who did the "story". We all were given "prayer books" that had all the songs from the service. It was a full house, and everyone seemed very happy about that. I don't think it is always so full. The kids were from 0 to about 5 (and maybe a few older siblings). Everyone was very friendly. Two people came up and introduced themselves to us right away - I like that! Another woman came up to me and was talking to me like I knew her... of course I was blanking out. But she reminded me that I did know her through a mutual friend. She was super cool and she was with her almost 4 year old daughter. We hung out most of the time. She was great.
The service was basically a number of songs/payers (in Hebrew and English), a Torah march, snacks and blessings and a visit to the main sancturay for the Adon Olam dance. Vera loved the singing and dancing part. Jonah was being somewhat of a brat... he took his shoes and socks off, was rolling around on the floor - and he really did not like it when Vera was getting all this positive attention from everyone for her singing and dancing moves... so of course he pushed her...
He kept asking me, "let's leave mom, let's go play somewhere else? OK? with cars..."
But then they busted out the stuffed Torahs and we did the Torah march - gets the best of them every time. After, there was wine (juice) and snacks with prayers - my kids loved that part. And for the finale, they invite the tot shabboters to the main synagogue hall for Adon Olam (the final prayer/song of the Shabbot service). My kids liked that part too - especially since they got a piece of candy after the dance...
Then we went to the playground outside the synagogue for a little bit. I had promised them that after Shabbot Services we could play outside. Of course Jonah remembered immediately when we walked out the door.
It was fun. It was extra fun because the people were nice and I hung out with a very cool mom who I actually knew. I hope to make it again next month! (And I hope to convince our other buddies who are also friends with the mom we met there to go as well!)
Here is the info. They also hold regular weekly Shabbot services at the shul with a Shabbot lunch for anyone who would like to attend. That sounds very nice! Maybe when all for us go we can try that.
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| Synagogue Playground on Shabbot - this might be the best part! |
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