Our May calendar is jam packed with fun family events throughout the New York area. We can’t promise you warm weather, but we can definitely deliver a host of activities including Israel Independence Day celebrations, kid-friendly theater, tot Shabbats, and Lag B’Omer bonfires and BBQ’s to keep everyone in the family having fun all month long.
Bronx | Brooklyn | Long Island | Manhattan | Staten Island | Queens| Westchester
Bronx
Lag B’Omer Party
Israeli-style party and picnic featuring a bonfire, a DJ, and Israeli food.
Riverdale YM/YWHA, 5265 Arlington Ave
Thursday, May 26, 6 – 9 p.m.
Brooklyn
Israeli Family Shabbat
Interactive Shabbat service and activities celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut. Fun for all ages.
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, 405 81st St.
Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m.
Yom Yisrael
Take an interactive, virtual tour of Israel, and enjoy live performances by Yeladudes Theatre and the Anbessa Orchestra. The Taim and Shuka trucks will be on site for you to grab a snack.
Hannah Senesh Community Day School, 342 Smith Street
Sunday, May 15, 10:30 a.m.
Kane Street Sundays
Open play, PJ Library stories, music, and snacks. For families with kids ages 4 and under, drop-in.
Kane Street Synagogue, 236 Kane St (between Court & Clinton)
Sundays, May 15, 22, 29, 9 a.m. – Noon
Walk for Autism
A one-mile walk to raise funds and awareness for autism. Registration fee includes a t-shirt and raffle ticket. RSVP requested
Meet @ 10 West St. & Coney Island Boardwalk
Sunday, May 22, 11 a.m. -1 p.m.
PJ Library It’s Friday
A music and movement class with stories, songs, and movement introducing the sights, sounds, and tastes of Shabbat to children ages 3 and under and their grown-ups.
Park Slope Jewish Center, 1320 8th Avenue (@ 14th Street)
Fridays, May 20 & 27, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Back to top ^
Long Island
JWOW Yom Ha’atzmaut Family Field Day
A fun day at camp with Israeli-themed crafts, singing, face painting, and music. RSVP required.
Ivy League Day Camp, 211 Brooksite Dr, Smithtown
Sunday, May 15, 1 – 4 p.m.
Israelfest
Carnival games, kids’ activities, a DJ, dancing, photo booth, kosher food vendors, and more. Free admission and parking.
North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 West Shore Rd, Port Washington,
Sunday, May 15, Noon – 4 p.m.
Happy Birthday Israel
Crafts, PJ Library story time, cookie decorating, Israeli dancing, and lunch. For ages 8 and under, RSVP requested.
Central Synagogue of Nassau County/Congregation Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Ave, Rockville Centre
Sunday, May 15, Noon – 2 p.m.
Parenting Talk: Dr. Shefali Tsabary
The author and parenting expert will discuss her approach to parenting as presented in her book “The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children.” Free and open to the public.
Congregation Tifereth Israel, 40 Hill Street, Glen Cove
Sunday, May 15, 11 a.m. – Noon
Lag B’Omer Bonfire & BBQ
Celebrate Lag B’Omer with music, arts & crafts, games, and food. Bonfire will be supervised by the local fire department. Sponsored by HANC Plainview and the Mid-Island Y JCC.
HANC Plainview, 25 Country Drive, Plainview
Thursday, May 26, 6 – 8 p.m.
Back to top ^
Manhattan
Party By the Shore
Celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut by the Hudson River with kids’ activities, Israeli music, food, and drinks. Buy tickets in advance or at the door.
Thursday, May 12, 5 – 8 p.m.
Boat Basin Café @ Riverside Park, West 79th St
Yom Ha’atzmaut Rooftop Dinner
Celebrate Shabbat and Israel Independence Day with a rooftop dinner, playground time, Israeli music, dancing, and lots of hummus. RSVP requested.
92 St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave
Friday, May 13, 6 – 7 p.m.
Dreamcoat Experience Musical Extravaganza
An interactive, Hebrew-infused experience with songs, puppets, drama games, and Israeli dancing. RSVP requested.
Congregation Ansche Chesed, 251 West 100th Street
Sunday, May 15, 10:30 a.m.
Mitzvah Munchkins @ The New Jewish Home
Children ages 5 and under with their families will sing and visit with residents in celebration of Israel Independence Day. Sponsored by The Jewish Home and UJA-Federation of New York. RSVP requested.
The New Jewish Home, 120 West 106th Street
Sunday, May 15, 11 a.m. – Noon
Family Street Fair
Inflatable rock climbing and obstacle courses, Israeli dancing, crafts, food, face painting, and other family fun. RSVP requested. Free, pre-registration strongly encouraged.
West Side Institutional Synagogue, 120 West 76th Street
Sunday, May 15, Noon – 3 p.m.
The Bible Players & Chef Jessica Fechtor
An interactive cooking demo followed by a performance by the Bible Players. For families with children ages 3 – 10, light snacks provided, RSVP requested.
Congregation Shaare Zedek, 212 West 93rd Street
Sunday, May 15, 2 p.m.
Family Theater from Play Me A Story
An Israeli musical storytelling adventure. For children ages 10 and under, RSVP requested.
JCC of Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave
Sunday, May 15, 2 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Music Talks: Dirah Lehaskir (Apartment to Let) – A Children’s Musical
An interactive performance of an Israeli children’s novel with live acting and stop-motion animation, accompanied by an 11 piece orchestra. Conducting workshop and instrument petting zoo to follow the show. RSVP requested.
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, 257 West 88th Street
Sunday, May 15, 11 a.m. (Performance in English) & 3 p.m. (Performance in Hebrew)
PJ Play: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
An interactive theater experience bringing the PJ Library book, “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat,” to life accompanied by live klezmer music. Participants will create original felt works of art inspired by the books, bagels, and coffee will be provided. Limited space available, RSVP requested.
Stanton Street Shul, 180 Stanton St
Sunday, May 15, 10 a.m.
Story Time @ Museum of Jewish Heritage
Free, drop-in story time with Jewish-themed books, presented in partnership with PJ Library.
Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place
Wednesdays, May 18 & June 1, 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Museum of Jewish Heritage Kids Theater: A Gift of Friendship
An original play and hands-on workshop about New York harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and making a difference. For children ages 3 – 7 and their grown-ups.
Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place
Sunday, May 22, 10:30 a.m.
Friday Night Lights
Welcome Shabbat with a short family service followed by a community dinner.
Tribeca Synagogue, 49 White St
Friday, June 3, 5:45 – 7:45 p.m.
Back to top ^
Queens
Shabbat Mini-Minyan
An age-appropriate Shabbat program led by an early childhood educator with storytelling, PJ Library story time, movement, singing, and a snack. For ages 2 -4 years accompanied by a grown-up.
Hollis Hills Jewish Center, 210-10 Union Turnpike
Sunday, May 14, 11:15 a.m. – Noon
Back to top ^
Staten Island
Family Drum Circle
An Israel-themed drum circle celebrating Israel Independence day. For families with children in preschool and elementary school. Drop-in.
Staten Island JCC, 1466 Manor Road
Thursday, May 12, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Back to top ^
Westchester
Yom Ha’atzmaut Outdoor Celebration
Israeli food, face painting, live music, and a bouncy castle
Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324 North Ave, New Rochelle
Sunday, May 15, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
School’s Out Carnival & BBQ
Games, food & fun.
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Ave East, Rye
Sunday, May 22, 11 a.m.
School/Camp Open Houses
Camp Friedberg
Campground tours, camp activities, bounce house, and snacks. RSVP requested.
Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, 75 Colonial Springs, Wheatley Heights, Long Island
Sunday, May 15, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Congregation Or Zarua Hebrew School
Participate in a school-wide program, learn about the curriculum, and meet the Rabbi and Director of Youth Education & Programming. RSVP requested.
Congregation Or Zarua, 127 East 82nd Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Monday, May 16, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
YM/YWHA of Washington Heights – Footpaths Nursery Camp
Tour the Y and meet camp staff, light refreshments will be served. RSVP requested.
54 Nagle Ave, Washington Heights, Manhattan
Wednesday, May 18, 6 – 7 p.m.
Congregation Tifereth Israel 4’s & 5’s Nursery Program
Preview the new program for four & five-year-olds, RSVP requested.
Congregation Tifereth Israel, 40 Hill St, Glen Cove
Sunday, May 22, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
