Family Education

The Family Education Committee seeks to encourage spiritual and religious growth in families as well as assisting families in building connections and community within Temple Emunah. Family Education programs strive to enable parents to strengthen themselves as the Jewish educators of their children and to assist families in observing Jewish tradition within the home. The Family Education Committee sponsors and co-sponsors activities such as:


These programs are made possible through a generous grant from the Sh’arim initiative of Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

See Family Programming for a list of upcoming programs sponsored fully or in part by the Family Education Committee.

The Family Education Committee meets once a month, on Monday evenings at 8 pm. Meetings are currently planned for the following dates during Winter and Spring 2012:

January 9
February 13
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11

For more information please contact Jodie Parmer.

Family Education Committee Co-Chair Laura Blumberg
Family Education Committee Co-Chair Leslie Sherman


Family Learners' Services

Family Learners Services bring together the families of a particular grade over several weeks to learn the rituals and explore the spirit of one of the major services of the Jewish week.

During the 2008-2009 there have been three series of Family Learners Services:

  • The 4th Grade Learners Service focused on the Shabbat morning service.
  • The 6th Grade Learners Service focused on...
  • The 7th Grade Learners Service brought parents and students together to learn the weekday morning service and the mitzvot of Tallit and Tefillin. In addition, students and parents engaged in ḥevruta learning, examining primary sources (Torah, Talmud and the great commentators) to begin to appreciate the evolution in Jewish thought and practice from Biblical times up to the present day.

Family Shabbat Dinners

Family Shabbat Dinners and their accompanying services include a traditional Shabbat meal, games and activities appropriate for all ages, and a fun and inclusive family Kabbalat Shabbat service. While these events are typically geared toward families with children in a particular age range, the entire community is always welcome -- there's never a bad time to join in the fun. (And take the day off from cooking!)

Come late, leave early, or stay for it all -- join us in the way that works best for your family.


Lulav Shake and Sukkah Marketplace

One of the names of Sukkot is Z'man Simchateinu, the Time of our Joy. Performing the rituals of Sukkot can be both spiritually rewarding and a lot of fun. But building a sukkah can be challenging too. The Sukkah Marketplace and the Lulav Shake help us address the challenges and redouble our joy.

At the Sukkah Marketplace, you can get pointers, advice and encouragement from the Sukkah-building mavens of the Brotherhood. In addition, you can order a Sukkah of your own at the Temple Emunah group rate, share ideas for decorations and for enhancing both the spirituality and kid-friendliness of the experience, and even be matched up with a Sukkah mentor for hands-on Sukkah building help. You can also order your lulav and etrog.

Then, at the Lulav Shake, you can pick up your etrog, assemble your lulav, review the rituals of lulav and etrog, and enjoy the delicious Lulav Shake!