Happy 2017, Kvellers! The holiday season may be over but there is still so much to do with kids in New York. There are new sessions of classes starting, Tot Shabbats all over, and a bunch of havdalah programs where you can say goodbye to Shabbat in your pajamas, with ice cream, pizza, or crafts. We know it can be tempting to hibernate indoors during the winter months, but trust us—it is worth bundling the kids up and heading out to one or more of these events. Brought to you in partnership with PJ Library in New York.
Brooklyn | Long Island | Manhattan | Westchester
Brooklyn
Bialy Rock
A Jewish music class led by Ora Fruchter and her puppets with singing, dancing, and play instruments. Best for ages 2 and under, drop-in for one class or sign up for an entire session.
$20 drop-in, 6-session & 12-session class passes available
Kane Street Synagogue, 236 Kane Street
Friday, January 6, 11:15 a.m. – Noon
Family Shabbat Service & Dinner
Welcome Shabbat with singing, dancing, and storytelling followed by dinner, all ages. RSVP requested.
$25 per person, $40 per family
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, 4th Ave & 81st St.
Friday, January 6, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Tot Shabbat
Wiggle, jump, and sing at a free music class by Tkiya, the Jewish community music school. Free
Kings Bay Y at Windsor Terrace, 1224 Prospect Ave
Friday, January 6, 10:45 – 11:15 a.m.
Out of the Shabbox
A cross-cultural, interfaith drop-in program using music, movement, and storytelling to explore Shabbat. Best for ages 5 and under. Free
Union Temple of Brooklyn, 17 Eastern Parkway, 4th fl
Saturdays, January, 7, 21 & 28, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
PJ Havdalah 
Come in PJs and say farewell to Shabbat with a family-friendly havdalah service and make your own havdalah candle to take home. RSVP requested. Free
Park Slope Jewish Center, 1320 8th Ave
Saturday, January 14, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Burning Lights & Stained Glass
Join the JCH of Bensonhurst and visit the Urban Glass Studio for a glassblowing demonstration and stained glass workshop inspired by the works of Bella Chaggal and Bella Dizhur. RSVP requested. $36 per family.
Urban Glass Studio, 647 Fulton St # 1B
Sunday, January 15, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Shabbat Songs & Stories
Families with children ages 0-3 are invited to a new bi-weekly Tot Shabbat with music, stories, and games organized by the Kings Bay Y in Fort Greene & Clinton Hill. Free
Clinton Hill Co-Op School, 87 Irving Place
Friday, January 20, 3- 3:45 p.m.
PJ Library: It’s Time for Shabbat
A Shabbat experience for children ages 4-6 years and their families with an introduction to Shabbat and holiday rituals, a craft project, and pizza lunch. RSVP requested. Free
Union Temple of Brooklyn, 17 Eastern Parkway, 4th fl
Saturday, January 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tot Shabbat
A fun-filled introduction to Shabbat with stories, songs, instruments, and dancing followed by challah and grape juice. For families with children ages 0-5, siblings, and caregivers. Free
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, 4th Ave & 81st St.
Friday, January 27, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
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Long Island
Sundaes at Sundown
Celebrate the end of Shabbat with ice cream sundaes, crafts, and a PJ Library story. RSVP requested. Free
Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Ave, Rockville Centre
Saturday, January 7, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
My Parent & Me PJ Library Cooking Class
A musical Shabbat morning service followed by a family cooking class with delicious treats. RSVP. Free
Temple Tikvah, 3315 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park
Saturday, January 7, 10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Sundaes on Monday Pajama Party
Come in your pajamas for a dairy dinner, story, and ice cream sundaes for dessert. Best for ages 2-6. Free
HANC Plainview, 25 Country Drive, Plainview
Monday, January 9, 6 – 7:15 p.m.
PJ’s & Prayer
Come in your favorite PJs for songs, age-appropriate prayers, stories, and hot chocolate. Best for ages 4 and under. RSVP requested. Free
Temple Chaverim, 1050 Washington Avenue, Plainview
Friday, January 13, 6 – 7 p.m.
MLK Day of Service
Help assemble 1,000 summer reading book bags for 3rd-grade students who don’t have books to read. Participants will meet at the JCC for breakfast and orientation and then travel to an off-site warehouse to sort and organize book donations. All ages. Advance registration requested. Free
Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Drive, East Hills
Sunday, January 15, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
PJ Library Bim Bam Shabbat Friday Night Family Service & Dinner
A family-friendly Shabbat service followed by dinner. RSVP required.
Friday, January 20, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave, Huntington
PJ Library Story Time with Miss Amy
Build a pretend campfire and enjoy stories, songs, and s’mores. Best for children ages 2-6 and their families. Free
The Community Synagogue, 160 Middle Neck Rd, Port Washington
Sunday, January 22, 9 – 9:45 a.m.
Stay, Play and Pray
A monthly morning program designed to introduce children ages 4-5 and grown-ups to Shabbat, Israel, and Jewish holidays. RSVP requested. Free
Temple Chaverim, 1050 Washington Ave, Plainview
Sunday, January 22, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Bagel Babies Celebrate Tu Bishvat
Learn about the holiday of Tu Bishvat with crafts, playtime, stories, and a snack. Best for ages 4 and under. RSVP requested. $5 per child, $10 max per family
Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Ave, Rockville Centre
Tuesday, January 31, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
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Manhattan
Free Shabbat Sing-Along!
Welcome Shabbat with singing and dancing. Best for ages 4 and under, drop-in. Free
JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave
Friday, January 6, 9 – 9:20 a.m.
Shabbat Central
A free, family-friendly, musical Shabbat service for children ages 5 and under and their families, followed by a light meal. Free
Central Synagogue, 123 East 55th St
Friday, January 6, 5 – 6 p.m. & Saturday, January 21, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Musical Havdalah
Say goodbye to Shabbat with singing, dancing, crafts, pizza, and ice cream. RSVP requested.
Kehilath Jeshurun, 125 East 85th St
Saturday, January 7, 6 – 7 p.m.
Studio Art Sessions
Create your own original work of art inspired by museum exhibitions in these weekly, drop-in art workshops. Best for ages 3 and up. Free with museum admission.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave
Sundays, January 8 – May 21, 1 – 4 p.m.
Drop in Archeology Dig
Discover a passion for ancient artifacts with a simulated archaeological dig. Best for ages 3-10. Free with museum admission
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave
Sunday, January 8, Noon – 3 p.m.
Shalom Sing-A-Long
An interactive music and movement class for children ages 1-4 and their favorite grown-up with singing, story time, parachute games, puppets, instruments, and more. Advance registration requested.
$20 Drop-in, $375 for 20 classes
Congregation Or Zarua, 127 East 82nd St
Mondays, January 9 – June 26, 11 – 11:45 a.m.
Gan Katan Class
An hour-long after school class with Jewish music, stories, crafts, snack, and circle time along with an introduction to synagogue life and Jewish holidays. For children entering kindergarten in Fall 2017. Advance registration required. $400 for the entire session
Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 East 51st Street
Tuesdays, January 10 – May 23, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
PJ Library at JCC Harlem
Spend Saturday afternoons at the newly-opened JCC Harlem with stories, songs, and activities for ages 2-8 and their grown-ups. Free
JCC Harlem, 318 W 118th St
Saturday, January 14, 3 – 5 p.m.
PJ Library Havdalah
Wear your favorite PJs and bring your favorite bedtime friend to say goodbye to Shabbat with songs, music, hot cocoa, and bagels, and take home your own havdalah spices. RSVP requested. Free
YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood, 54 Nagle Ave
Saturday, January 14, 6:30 p.m.
Tot Shabbat & Family Shabbat Dinner
A lively Tot Shabbat service followed by dinner and a magic show. RSVP requested. $60 per family
Kehilath Jeshurun, 125 East 85th St
Friday, January 20, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
JCC Infants & Young Children Family Shabbat Dinner
Celebrate Shabbat with family and friends with an interactive sing-along followed by the Shabbat blessings and dinner. Advance registration required. $18 per person, children 2 and under are free
JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave
Friday, January 20, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
PJ Library Storytime
A monthly storytime featuring PJ Library stories and songs. For children ages 4 and under. Free
JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave
Fridays, January 27, Noon – 12:30 p.m.
Rock Shabbat
Sing, dance, and celebrate with kid-friendly rock band Shira & Friends, followed by a delicious dinner. For families with children ages 7 and under. RSVP requested. $12 per adult, $7 per child
Central Synagogue – Pavilion, 652 Lexington Ave.
Friday, January 27, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Hot Peas ‘N Butter Concert
Dance along to the multicultural rhythms of Hot Peas ‘N Butter, ranging from Puerto Rican folk music to soulful American blues. Best for ages 3-8 years, buy tickets in advance or at the door. $16 per person
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave
Sunday, January 29, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Picture This
A four-part series with interactive gallery programs, stories, original crafts, snack, and live music. Attend one program or the entire series. For families with children ages 4-10 years. $25 per person, $80 for the entire series
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave
Sunday, January 29, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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Westchester
Gan Shabbat Services
A family Shabbat service for toddlers through 2nd grade and their families with songs, stories, and prayers, followed by refreshments. Free
Bet Torah Nursery School, 60 Smith Ave, Mt. Kisco
Saturday, January 7, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
The Importance of Tummy Time
Nosh on coffee and bagels, meet other parents, and learn about the importance of tummy time for your child’s motor development.
Temple Israel Center, 280 Old Mamaroneck Rd, White Plains
Wednesday, January 11, 9:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Shabbat in Pajamas
Celebrate Shabbat in your PJs with stories, songs, and a kid-friendly Shabbat dinner. Free
Congregation Sons of Israel, 1666 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor
Friday, January 20, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Cuddle up Shabbat
A musical Shabbat service with crafts, food, and fun. Best for ages 8 and under, older siblings welcome. RSVP requested. Free
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Avenue East, Rye
Friday, January 27, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
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