Let’s face it: Summer is over. School is back in session, the leaves are changing color, and the Jewish High Holidays are on the horizon. (Don’t worry—they’re in October this year!) To help you change gears and ease into fall, we’ve put together a jam-packed list of things to do with the family this September. We’ve got story times and Tot Shabbats galore, concerts, and Rosh Hashanah events to start getting you in the holiday mood.
Bronx | Brooklyn | Long Island | Manhattan | Staten Island | Westchester
Bronx
Riverdale YM-YWHA Open House
Check out the Y including the pool, gym, and fitness center. Take advantage of special discounts, try some sample classes, moon bounce, and face-painting too.
Riverdale YM-YWHA, 5625 Arlington Ave.
Sunday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Brooklyn
PJ Library Events
Out of the Shabbox 
A cross-cultural, interfaith drop-in program for children ages 5 and under and their families. Explore unifying Shabbat themes like peace and charity with singing, dancing, and stories and finish up with a snack.
Union Temple of Brooklyn, 17 Eastern Parkway, 4th fl
Saturdays, September 10, 17 & 24, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Kibbutznik Tot Shabbat
A Russian-language music and movement class for children ages 6 mos. – 3 yrs., with Russian and Jewish rhymes, songs, stories, and an obstacle course. Organized by the Marks JCH of Bensonhurst, kosher snack included. Advance registration required.
Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West
Fridays, Sept .16, 23 & 30, 10 a.m. – Noon
Shorefront Y Open House
Learn more about programs at the Y, while the kids enjoy PJ Library stories and music.
Shorefront YM-YWHA, 3300 Coney Island Avenue
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2 p.m.
It’s Friday! PJ Library Music Class
A music and movement class for ages 1-3 years and their favorite grown-ups with singing and dancing to welcome Shabbat.
Park Slope Jewish Center, 1320 8th Avenue
Fridays, Sept. 23 – Dec. 16, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Shabbat
Welcome Back Stoop Shabbat
There is nothing more Brooklyn than celebrating Shabbat on the stoop. Stop by for Shabbat treats and challah dough to braid and take home with you to bake.
Park Slope Jewish Center, 1320 8th Avenue
Friday, Sept. 9, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Under The Bridge
A community Shabbat celebration with live music. Bring your own picnic dinner; challah and grape juice will be provided.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 Bridge View Lawn
Friday, Sept. 16, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
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Long Island
PJ Library Welcome Back at Temple Tikvah
Story time with PJ Library author Bonnie Grubman, snacks, and crafts. RSVP requested, best for children in grades K – 3.
Temple Tikvah, 3315 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park
Sunday, Sept. 11, 1 – 2 p.m.
Friedberg JCC Open House
Learn about the JCC, special discounts for aquatics classes and new members, and a Zumba-thon.
Friedberg JCC, 15 Neil Court, Oceanside
Sunday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tot Shabbat
A Friday night service geared toward families with preschool-age children, meets every third Friday of the month.
B’nai Israel Reform Temple of Oakdale, 67 Oakdale Bohemia Rd.
Friday, Sept. 16. 7 – 7:45 p.m.
Shababeque
Celebrate Shabbat with kosher BBQ and friends, all are welcome. Sponsored by Jewish Without Walls, RSVP required.
Private home, East Setauket (address given upon RSVP)
Friday, Sept. 16, 5:30 p.m.
Fall Family Carnival
Celebrate the start of fall with rides, games, BBQ, and live music at the Sid Jacobson JCC’s Old Westbury Campus.
Camp Jacobson, 340 Wheatley Road, Old Westbury
Sunday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Great Stories: Holidays at Barnes & Noble in Manhasset
Stories, songs, and crafts to celebrate the fall Jewish holidays, for families with children ages 7 and under.
Barnes & Noble,1542 Northern Blvd., Manhasset
Sunday, Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m.
Manhattan
PJ Library Events
Storytime with Shira
Enjoy a PJ Library story and snack with Rabbi Shira Epstein, the Executive Director of the Y, drop-in.
14th St. Y, 344 East 14th St, Lobby
Friday, Sept. 16, 1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
PJ Library Story Time
A monthly PJ Library story time celebrating Jewish traditions and holidays through stories and songs. For children ages 4 and under, RSVP requested, free.
JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave.
Friday, Sept. 23, Noon – 12:30 p.m.
Friday Night Lights
A Shabbat evening experience including a short family service, singing, and prayers followed by dinner and age-appropriate children’s programs. Advance registration requested.
Tribeca Synagogue, 49 White St.
Friday, Sept. 23, 5:45 – 7:45 p.m.
Picture This!
This new four-part family series includes a gallery program with activities, art, and a PJ Library story followed by creating original art in the art studio and a snack. The program concludes with a concert by The FunkyMonkeys.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave.
Sunday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cook & Create with PJ Library
Make and bake your own round challahs for Rosh Hashanah and a take-home craft project that can be used during the holiday. RSVP requested.
The YM/YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood, 54 Nagle Ave.
Sunday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Rejoice For Rosh Hashanah!
Get ready for Rosh Hashanah with Temple Israel in New York City with activities and playtime.
Ruppert Park (2nd Ave. btwn 90th & 91 St.), 259-299 E. 90th
Sunday, Sept. 25, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Shababa Kids in the Kitchen
A new Shabbat-flavored cooking class for children and grown-ups together. Make Shabbat and holiday favorites and creative snacks, sing Shababa songs and blessings, and set a beautiful Shabbat table together. For children ages 3 – 5 years and their favorite grown-ups, advance registration required, limited space available.
92 St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave.
Friday, Sept. 30, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Shabbat
Bim Bam
Explore the stories, songs, traditions, and rituals of Shabbat and learn some Hebrew as well. For children ages 3 and under, advance registration requested. No prior Hebrew experience required.
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, 89th St. Chapel, 270 West 89th St.
Fridays, Sept. 9 – Dec. 16, classes @ 9:15, 10:15 & 11:15 a.m.
Challah Bakin’
Kids can help knead, braid, and bake challah for Shabbat. For ages 4 – 5 years, advance registration requested.
JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave.
Friday, Sept. 9, 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Shabbat Central
A Shabbat experience for families with children ages 5 and under and their families featuring live music, song, prayer, movement, and stories, followed by a light meal. Free, drop-in.
Central Synagogue, 123 East 55th St.
Friday, Sept. 9, 5 – 6 p.m.
Tot Shabbat
A kid-friendly Friday night service followed by Shabbat dinner with blessings, songs, and activities.
B’nai Jeshurun, Frankel Hall, 257 West 88th St.
Friday, Sept. 9, 5:15 – 7 p.m.
Shababa Saturdays
Sing, dance, and celebrate Shabbat with traditional and non-traditional music, creative prayer, art, and movement in a playful environment. For families with babies, toddlers, and older children, no prior Shabbat experience necessary, free.
92 St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave.
Saturdays, Sept. 10, 17 & 24, 10:30 – Noon
West End Synagogue Family Shabbat & Open House
A family-friendly, musical service followed by a Shabbat dinner with pizza for the kids.
West End Synagogue,190 Amsterdam Avenue
Friday, Sept. 9, 5 – 8 p.m.
Tot Shabbat
A musical Shabbat morning experience for families with children ages 5 years and under, grape juice and challah included. RSVP requested.
JCP Downtown Tribeca, 146 Duane St.
Saturday, Sept. 10, 10 – 11 a.m.
Shabbat & Me Saturday
A monthly Shabbat celebration for children ages 5 and under and their families including prayer, songs, stories, activities, and a snack. RSVP requested.
Congregation Or Zarua, 127 East 82nd St.
Saturday, Sept. 17, 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Other Family Fun
Welcome Back Concert: Timbalooloo w/ Oran Etkin
Get into the groove for the school year with a welcome back concert by Timbalooloo and learn about their new classes being held in partnership with the Jewish Community Project. Best for ages 5 and under, free.
Washington Market Park, Chambers Street
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Stories for All Ages
Renowned Jewish storyteller Peninnah Schram will share entertaining tales from Jewish folklore. A family program presented by the Museum of Jewish Heritage and Battery City Parks, all ages, free.
Wagner Park, 36 Battery Place (adjacent to the museum)
Sunday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m.
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Staten Island
New Season Celebration
Celebrate the new season and the upcoming Jewish holidays with a free family day of activities for parents and children including apples and honey-themed activities, making your own shofar, and a PJ Library story walk.
HKC Campgrounds, 1131 Manor Rd.
Sunday, Sept. 25, 2 – 4 p.m.
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Westchester
Shabbat Rocks & Family Night
A monthly musical Friday night service geared toward families with young children.
Congregation Sons of Israel, 1666 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor
Friday, Sept. 16, 7 – 8 p.m.
PJ Library Story Time & Sing Along
Listen to some of our favorite PJ Library stories about the fall holidays at this kick-off PJ Library program. RSVP requested.
Westchester Jewish Center, 175 Rockland Avenue, Mamaroneck
Sunday, Sept. 25, 11 – 11:45 a.m.
New York Metro Area
Mishpucha Family Camp
A tent-camping weekend retreat for Russian-speaking Jewish families. Enjoy three days of outdoor adventures, workshops for kids and adults, games, live music, and other activities. Bring your own camping equipment and food, and they’ll take care of the rest. Advance registration required.
Lake Taghkanic State Park, 1528 New York Rt 82, Ancram, NY
Friday, Sept. 9 – Sunday, Sept. 11
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New York, Long Island & Westchester JCC’s
