Beth Israel Children’s Circle
Launched in fall of 2024, our Youth Programs Intern offers a program for kids aged 5-12 (younger kids are welcome as long as their parent stays with them). The programs focus on a theme and includes a story-time, learning activities, crafts, and baking. If your child would like to attend, kindly RSVP here: https://forms.gle/
Past BIC Kid’s Crew Highlights
Children and Youth Programs at Beth Israel Congregation, Peterborough
For the Year 5782 (2021-2022)
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Kids’ Crew
This popular family program continues in a new, COVID-friendly format that involves outdoor and home delivery options. Led by nature explorer and children’s educator, Marty Cleary, Kids’ Crew welcomes families with children of all ages.
Currently, the program involves:
– Monthly outdoor gatherings on Jewish themes (Already this year, we have practiced tashlich, dipped apples in honey, built a sukkah, and dyed our own Challah covers using wild grapes!) Kids can be dropped off or the whole family can join in!
– Monthly packages, delivered right to your door! Each package includes fun hands-on activities, such as recipes, craft materials, songs and stories about that month’s theme. Sign up for this free gift from BIC to support your family’s Jewish learning at your own pace during the pandemic.
Themes will include: Hanukkah, Tubishvat, Wildcrafting, Purim, Pesach, Shavuot and more.
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Youth Crew
We are pleased to welcome Nevia Frank, an experienced Hebrew and b’nei mitzvah teacher from London, Ontario, who is here pursuing teacher education at Trent. Nevia is facilitating a monthly youth crew for children ages 10 and up who are pre-b’nei mitzvah. They are meeting virtually for now, and started with a Chanukah celebration last week. The next event will likely be a film night in December. The youth crew will evolve based on the youth’s own interests. Thus far, this includes online games, Yiddish folk tales, Judaica making, and LGBTQ Jewish literature. Youth will also be invited to create a tikkun olam community project together.
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Hebrew lessons
Nevia will also be offering virtual weekly Hebrew lessons for school-aged children beginning in December. We will be using the Alef Bet Quest workbook. This book will start the group off with some decoding of the Hebrew alphabet using modern and biblical word examples. It is a great transition into some basic modern Hebrew phrases and starting to learn Hebrew blessings.
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B’nei Mitzvah preparation
Nevia is also available for one-on-one tutoring to prepare for a bar/bat/b’nei mitzvah. She is open to any style of bar or bat mitzvah, and we can help you to arrange leadership and the event. This program is at the family’s cost. But do let us know if you need financial support.
Nevia writes: “In the past, my students have learned torah blessings, a torah portion (around 6-18 verses depending on Hebrew level), and sometimes around 6-10 verses of Haftarah (depending on time/Hebrew level but this is not as common). We can arrange any combination of the above items or something different, depending on what suits your child/children and what your goals for the event are. Social action projects instead of a b’nei mitzvah, is also a great option. Also, I have seen students replace one aspect (like the haftarah) for a more in-depth speech or social action project.
5. Children and youth participation in Beth Israel Congregation events.
Let’s involve the children and youth in all our services, celebrations, and events. The congregation has enjoyed the Purim play, children’s singing at services, and there is often a special surprise in store for Hanukkah . Please get in touch with your ideas as well.
Who are these programs for?
These programs are open to all Jewish-identified children and families (including family members of Jewish-identified adults or children). All participants are invited (but not required) to become members of Beth Israel Congregation and/or to contribute a donation to support these programs.
For more information on any of these programs, please contact:
Nevia Frank
Children and Youth Coordinator, Beth Israel Congregation
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Highlights from 2022
End of year report from the Kids and Youth Programs of Beth Israel Congregation:
Here is some recent feedback we received:
“It was truly nourishing for me to finally be in community and to have my daughter be a part of a Jewish community – to be with other Jewish kids!”
Kids and Youth Crew further highlights!
Kids’ Crew:
Our March packages helped us learn about Purim and prepare our costumes. Here are some pics of the masks we made!
Hebrew classes:
We are halfway through learning the Hebrew aleph bet! And preparing to ask the 4 questions in Hebrew at the upcoming seder.
Youth Crew:
Purim:
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Highlights from 2021
Kids’ Crew Performance of ‘A Hamilton Hannukah’
Below is the full recording of this memorable Kids’ Crew event!
Here are the lyrics:
A Hamilton Hannukah
Lyrics by Six13
I tell the tale of those before me
And of their victory in the fight
And now our children tell the story
They tell the story of the lights
We’ll add another one each night
Light a light to freedom, (dum)
They tell the story of…
Dum da da da dum dum dum
ah aaaah
How does a humble ragtag
band full of boys from yeshiva
rise up to triumph
against unbelievable odds
in a battle our people still remember
and celebrate with dreidels
every year around December?
The five pious and loyal sons
of Mattathias stood against bias
Said, you can’t deny us.
You disagree? Try us!
Our God will supply us
with strength to win
and then potato latkes
we will fry us.
For every day
while praying was being
barred and made harder
our ways they tried to change
Antiochus sent his guard out
Inside, our boys knew
not to forget what they were part of
Five brothers and their dad
ready to win or die as martyrs
Then the Greeks came
and Hellenization reigned.
Our people saw our future
drip, dripping down the drain
They entered into the Temple
and the altar they profaned
left a blood stain
our heroes got sick of the pain.
Well, the word spread around
we said, this is insane, man.
We Jews cannot survive
under Antiochus’ reign, man.
Let’s fight back
and send the Greeks right back
from whence they came
And our bravery will win us fame.
Say your name, man!
Judah, Judah Maccabee.
They call me Judah, Judah Maccabee.
And Antiochus says he’s number one.
But just you wait, just you wait…
I am not throwing gelt in the
pot.
I am not throwing gelt in the
pot.
Yo, I’m straight gimmel-spinnin’
while y’all are nun and shinnin’
And I’m not throwin’ gelt in the pot.
Make the menorah hot.
See, it isn’t all about presents.
‘cause gratitude for miracles
is Chanukah’s essence.
The Maccabees revolted
thwarted Greek plans.
Now a horah we dance
and we fry latkes in pans.
We’re gonna make it hot!
Yeah, we give thanks for being free
Because of the revolt
led by Judah Maccabee.
They defied, do or die.
You and I feel great.
And celebrate, as the lights
we illuminate.
And I am not throwing gelt in the
pot.
I am not throwing gelt in the
pot.
Yo, I’m straight gimmel-spinnin’
while y’all are nun and shinnin’
And I’m not throwin’ gelt in the
pot.
I am not throwing gelt in the
pot.
I am not throwing gelt in the
pot.
Yo, I’m straight gimmel-spinnin’
while y’all are nun and shinnin’
And I’m not throwin’ gelt in the
pot.
Everybody say
Nes gadol
Haya po
(if you’re in Israel)
Haya sham
(if you’re anywhere)
(yeah)
Nes gadol / Light up
candles in the Chanukiah,
Haya po / we remember
Maccabees when we
Haya sham / Light up
candles in the Chanukiah
Light up, light up
Light up, light up
yeah
And I am not throwing gelt in the
Light up, make the menorah
Pot / hot
I am not throwing gelt in the
We gonna light up, make the menorah
pot/ hot
we gonna light up, light up
make the menorah hot
light up, light up
make the menorah hot
light up
make the menorah hot
light up
Make it hot hot hot
Make manorahs hot
Make manorahs hot
And I am not throwing gelt in the—
Dum da da da dum dum
Ma’oz Tzur Yeshu’ati
Ma’oz Tzur Yeshu’ati
Ma’oz Tzur Yeshu’ati[ZvB1]
Lekha na’eh
Lekha na’eh
leshabe’ah
Happy, happy Chanukah
Happy, happy Chanukah
Judah Maccabee
we sing of you (hanukkah)
and the odds you overcame
when we’re playing our dreidel game
Each night
we light those candles’ flames
ohhh
For the victories and miracles
we celebrate
dum da da da dum dum dum
What ya say, boys?
Happy, happy Chanukah!
Bow!!!
Beautiful Artistry: Hannukah Cards
As a special Chanukah treat, we would like to take this opportunity to show you the artwork that the children of Beth Israel’s “Jew Crew Kids’ Club” submitted for the production of gorgeous Chanukah holiday cards, under the direction of Marty Clearly who coordinates the club’s activities. We are sending the cards to our interfaith friends, and to local dignitaries such as City Council. We have also been selling the cards on a pay-what-you-like basis, with all the proceeds going to children’s programming at Beth Israel. Thank-you to the children, and to Marty too! You bring such joy to the congregation!
Below are some pictures of what the cards look like all together, and also some close-up views of the individual pieces of art. We are sure that this wondrous Chanukah artwork will warm your heart.
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Highlights from 2020
January 25 – Tu B’shevat
Kids Crew is meeting Saturday, January 25th 2-4 pm, to learn about and celebrate the “New Year of the Trees”, Tu b’Shevat.
February 29 – Purim
CANCELLED: March 28 – Pesach
Kids Crew Saturday is March 28, 2020, 2-4 pm at the synagogue, when the kids will be learning about Pesach. 
Please RSVP if possible to Ziysah at getinvolved@jccpeterborough.com.
April 25 – Shabbat
May 30 – Shavuot
Details to follow.
Highlights from 2019
October 26 – Simchat Torah
Kids Krew had a very meaningful first gathering with 6 children from 4 families coming together to celebrate Simchat Torah. We learned about this important holiday, learned a lot about Torah, such as how a Torah is scribed and put together, learned a new song (Moshe Emet), and practiced old ones. Thanks to Alvin Gallay’s help, we were able to open the ark, and look at a Torah. The children brought their own tiny Torahs and took turns reading the text from the very last chapter of the Torah, and then re-rolling their Torah, and reading from the very first chapter. We danced the Torahs around the sanctuary 7 times.
November 30 – learning about Hanukkah
December 21 – Hanukkah prep…bake cookies for the Hanukkah Party at Beth Israel
In 2020
Contact: email Ziysah or Corinne at getinvolved@jccpeterborough.com
Mini Cheder at Beth Israel
Our first Jewcrew Kidsclub (offical name TBD) was great fun. We read books, played games, learned some Hebrew words, and celebrated Tubishvat by each planting our own parsley seeds, which will hopefully grow just in time for the Pesach seder!
Watch out for upcoming meeting dates for the Jewcrew Kidsclub (offical name TBD) Get together with other young Jewish families who have kids for a little learning, a little singing and a lot of fun. Future gatherings will take place one Saturday a month from 2-4 pm at the synagogue. Dates will be confirmed asap.
Monthly Children’s Program: Previous Highlights
All Jewish families/kids are welcome to our next gathering Saturday, March 9 from 2-4pm at the synagogue. This time we will be celebrating PURIM. Please come in costume as a character from the Purim story (or as anything at all and we’ll find a way to fit you into the story. 🙂 ) Future gatherings will take place one Saturday a month from 2-4 pm at the Synagogue. Dates will be confirmed asap. If you have any questions, ideas, or would like to help out, please be in touch with Ziysah or Corinne at bisptbo@gmail.com
All Jewish families/kids are welcome to our next gathering Saturday, March 9 from 2-4pm at the synagogue. This time we will be celebrating PURIM. Please come in costume as a character from the Purim story (or as anything at all and we’ll find a way to fit you into the story. 🙂 ) Future gatherings will take place one Saturday a month from 2-4 pm at the Synagogue. Dates will be confirmed asap. If you have any questions, ideas, or would like to help out, please be in touch with Ziysah or Corinne at bisptbo@gmail.com
Starts: Saturday, January 19th, 2019 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Where: Beth Israel Synagogue
The first meeting of the BIS kids program will take place Saturday, January 19 from 10 am-noon, and will feature learning about the holiday of Tubishvat.
This monthly get-together will be a chance for children and families to share space, learn about Jewish culture and holidays, sing songs, and also learn a bit of Hebrew. All are welcome to contribute ideas and teaching at future gatherings.
All Jewish children and their caregivers are welcome. The program is geared to all children under bar/t mitzvah age.
Please contact Ziysah or Corinne at bisptbo@gmail.com if you have questions or ideas or would like to help out in some way.
The success of this initiative depends on you. We saw clearly at the Chanukah celebrations that once again (and for the first time in many years), we have in the Peterborough area a good number of young Jewish children or children with Jewish family connections. What a great way to get together with families like yours, for adults to meet and for kids to get to know each other and participate together in fun learning activities. Mark you calendar and be there with your kids – grandparents welcome. Support this very worthwhile initiative.
Our community includes several families with young children. We do our best to make shul events relevant for children, by including crafts, play space, and age-appropriate activities.
We also organize our own informal get-togethers, especially during Jewish holidays.
Saturday June 11 – Children’s Song Fest At Beth Israel
Begins: 10:00 a.m.
Come one, come all this Saturday June 11 at 10 am to Beth Israel Synagogue for a morning of Hebrew Song. Dr. Dan will be teaching songs new and old; this event is directed towards families with children, but all are welcome. Coffee/tea and juice and munchies will be provided. Song sheets will be also be provided.