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Children's Programs

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CHILDREN'S CLASSES

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The Interfaith Community has systematically developed a curriculum to educate children in grades K-6 about both their traditions. Team-taught by Jewish and Christian educators, our classes aim to nurture continuity with each faith, but not to blur their differences or to indoctrinate. Instead, we hope to provide children with basic literacy in each, to foster respect for religion and the meaning it can bring to life, to inspire joy and delight in their religious heritages and practices, and to lay a foundation for their own religious journeys.

The following classes are offered in New York City in 2009-10:
Click here to see the full schedule.

Location: St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 225 W. 99th St. (at Amsterdam Ave.)

K-1 Celebrating Our Traditions: Great Stories
Designed for our youngest students, Great Stories provides a basic and interactive introduction to the holidays. Each holiday is linked to an accompanying Bible story, from both the Christian Scriptures and the Hebrew Bible. Students will become accustomed with the Bible story associated with each major holiday.

2-5  Celebrating Our Traditions: God and Me
Focusing on each child’s developing relationship with God, God and Me encourages students to think about, question, and discover a closer relationship with God, the ways God works in the world, and how holiday celebrations and observances allow them to better connect with God. Through stories and activities, children will deepen their understanding of holiday traditions and the relationship with God behind those traditions. The course is designed to re-introduce children to the major holidays of both traditions, as well as encourage a personal relationship with God through prayer, reflection and spiritual practice.

Click here to register for classes.

Class Schedule 2010-11

OPENING FAMILY DAY: Sukkot/Simchat Torah celebration
Sunday, September 26, 2010, 3:00 pm
St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 225 W. 99th St. (Broadway/Amsterdam)

At this family event we will learn about the harvest festival holiday which culminates the celebration of reading the Torah, children will bless the lulov and etrog, sing songs, hold the Torah and dance the horah. The event will also be an opportunity to learn about our educational programs for children and meet our teachers.
ALL are invited to attend this free event. (reservation required)

RSVP

Celebrating Our Traditions: Lesson 1
Tuesday, October 5, beginning at 4pm

Celebrating Our Traditions: Lesson 2
Tuesday, October 12, beginning at 4pm

Celebrating Our Traditions: Lesson 3
Tuesday, October 19, beginning at 4pm

Celebrating Our Traditions: Lesson 4
Tuesday, October 26, 2009, beginning at 4pm

Celebrating Our Traditions: Lesson 5
Tuesday, November 9, beginning at 4pm

Celebrating Our Traditions: Lesson 6
Tuesday, November 16, beginning at 4pm

Celebrating Our Traditions: Lesson 7
Tuesday, November 30, beginning at 4pm

Celebrating Our Traditions: Lesson 8
Tuesday, December 7, beginning at 4pm

Celebrating Our Traditions: Lesson 9
Tuesday, January 11, beginning at 4pm

Celebrating Our Traditions: Lesson 10
Tuesday, January 18, beginning at 4pm

CLOSING FAMILY DAY: Baby Welcoming Celebration
Sunday, January 23, 2010, family activities begin at 2 p.m., service begins at 3 p.m.

*All Classes are held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 225 W. 99th St. (Bway/Amsterdam)

For more information, call 212-870-2544 or email info@interfaithcommunity.org.

OTHER PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN

In addition to formal classes, arts-based educational programs related to each major holiday are provided for children ages 4 - 8 during the Interfaith Community's major holiday family services - Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Easter. The Interfaith Community of New York also holds its own Sukkot/Simchat Torah celebration and a model Passover seder.

Children's Service and

Our fifth-graders welcome a new baby to our community.

Informational Session for Children's Classes
Time, date & location TBA

Led by Interfaith Community children, this service will give our members an opportunity to come together and welcome the new babies born into our community in the past year. Also, meet other parents, children, and teachers, and learn about our innovative curriculum.

Sukkot/Simchat Torah
Sunday,September 26, 3:00 p.m.
St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 225 W. 99th St. (Bway/Amsterdam)

Children experience Simchat Torah

Learning about the harvest festival holiday which culminates in the celebration of reading the Torah, children will bless the lulov and etrog, sing songs, hold the Torah and dance the horah.

PLEASE RSVP

Children participate in a model Seder.