At JCoB, children are at the core of what we are.
Our Cheder is the only weekly Jewish religion school in Reading and has been running for 9 years. We use the latest materials to teach Hebrew Reading, Festivals, Ethics and Prayer, catering to children from toddlers to teens. Our cheder is great fun – intellectually stimulating and socially buzzing.
Succot
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Children LOVE Succot at JCoB.
Everyone has a chance to wave a real lulav, participate in Hallel (who can't say Halleluyah?), and march around for Hoshanot. Every year we hold a special cheese-on-toast lunch in the succah after cheder on the Sunday of Succot. This year will be an extra treat as it is Hoshana Rabbah, so we will march around the marquee seven times and give those willows a good whack. (We have them growing in the garden so there are enough for everyone.) If you don't normally come, this is a great chance to join in as a one-off. Email cheder@jcob.org for more information. |
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Children's Services
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AT JCoB, children are always at the heart of our services. This means that as well as actual children's services, the service itself is welcoming to children. Rebbetzin Shira helps them to join in, and they are invited to come up to the bimah at key moments to feel a real part of things. We also have special children's Shabbat events, such as our annual 'Frogs Shabbat' (see below).
In addition to our Shabbat children's services (which we can't photograph of course), we have a weekday children's service as part of assembly every Sunday morning at the start of cheder. This spring we also look forward to a double bat mitzvah of two of our cheder pupils. |
Our children spent everal weeks learning about Pesach (Passover) to prepare for the exciting seder nights. Younger children made model matzahs and seder plates. Older children learned about the legend of Elijah and the values that Pesach teaches us. Everyone took home their own 'hagadah' containing what they have learned. On Pesach itself, in addition to the seders, we had matzah picnic on the last day of Pesach, with a special child-focused service in the morning. To join in the fun email us.
Chanukah Party
Every year we hold a Chanukah Party for familes. This year was our 10th annual event. Children enjoy chanukah crafts, followed by candle lighting, latkas, doughnuts, and veggie pizza and hot dogs and the annual dreidel tournament.
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Every year, in the weeks leading up to Purim, our younger children enjoy making noisemakers and masques, and learning the story. Our older children study the book of Esther as part of their fascinating course on the Tanach. Everyone learns about the mitzvot of Purim and makes mishloach manot baskets.
On Purim itself we hold both an evening reading by Rabbi Zvi, and a party on the afternoon of Purim, including another reading of the megillah by Rebbetzin Shira, complete with rocket baloons and party poppers. Thanks to those who braved the snow this year to attend our evening and daytime megillah parties!
On Purim itself we hold both an evening reading by Rabbi Zvi, and a party on the afternoon of Purim, including another reading of the megillah by Rebbetzin Shira, complete with rocket baloons and party poppers. Thanks to those who braved the snow this year to attend our evening and daytime megillah parties!
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An annual Shabbat Event: 'Frogs Shabbat'
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JCoB is always hopping with children for our annual Frogs Shabbat on Parshat Bo. We held a kid-friendly Shabbat morning service with a special children's service and storytime sermon. So lovely to see almost our entire cheder in shul,
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