Events
Joyfully Jewish creates positive Jewish experiences for the whole family to enjoy together. JUF’s Book Buddies is a free program held one Sunday a month in the school year in several Chicago communities. Families have the opportunity to meet members of their local community while exploring their Jewishness through storytelling, song and arts & crafts. Joyfully Jewish also hosts multiple large-scale special events throughout the year to celebrate Jewish holidays. Past events have included musical and improv performances and have been held at notable locations such at the Kohl’s Children’s Museum and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
Book Buddies
JUF Book Buddies are held in public spaces in Vernon Hills, Naperville and Oak Park during the school year. Activities vary each month and correspond with a Jewish holiday or theme. Best for children under age 5. JUF Book Buddies are at no cost to attend, but pre-registration is encouraged. Learn more about the 2012 program.
Upcoming Events
Check out what's next on the JUF's Joyfully Jewish calendar! Vist the What's Happening page to learn more. Bring the whole family- hope to see you there!
Past Events
 | Passover Tot Hop at Chicago Botanic Garden, March 18, 2012Over 400 children, parents and grandparents enjoyed JUF’s Joyfully Jewish Passover Tot Hop at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Families listened, danced and sang along to the sounds of The Macaroons, PJ Library recording artists, while noshing on kosher for Passover treats. Kids and adults alike got ready for the holiday by making afikomen covers and decorating Seder plates and flower pots at the arts & crafts station. |
 | PJ Library Goes Green, February 5, 2012Almost 400 participants turned out for JUF’s Joyfully Jewish PJ Library Goes Green event at Solomon Schechter Day School in Northbrook. Families with young children participated in environmentally-friendly activities such as compositing with Urban Worm Girl, creating collages with repurposed materials, building with recycled boxes and planting microgreens all while rocking out to the tunes of Jewish artist and environmental activist Rick Recht! |
 | Hanukkah Happenings at Westfield Hawthorn Mall, December 11, 2011Dozens of families celebrated the season with JUF’s Joyfully Jewish and JCC Chicago at Hanukkah Happenings at the Westfield Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills on December 11. Families enjoyed with Hannukah crafts, dreidel games and entertainment by award winning singer/songwriter Susan Salidor. Children made holiday cards to be sent to soldiers and residents at local nursing homes. |
 | Book BuddiesLocal families met once a month during the school year at three area locations in Vernon Hills, Naperville and Oak Park to learn about Jewish holidays and themes through storytelling, arts and crafts and song at JUF Book Buddies. |
 | The Ultimate Playdate at Little Beans Café, October 23, 2011Over 40 families participated in our city-based Joyfully Jewish event. We enjoyed a morning of Noah’s Ark themed arts and crafts, storytelling, music and kosher snacks. |
 | Fall Holiday Celebration at Kohl’s Children’s Museum, September 25, 2011Approximately 300 participants joined Joyfully Jewish for the kick-off event of the season at the popular Kohl’s Museum in Glenview. The fall holidays were celebrated with make-your-own Rosh Hashanah cards, shofars and sukkah decorations. Families enjoyed storytelling as well as the apples and honey and mini challah rolls. |
 | Mini Matzo Ball at Bubbles Academy, April 10, 2011The Passover story came alive for the Joyfully Jewish participants at the Mini Matzo Ball event with the interactive tales by Hogwash Improv. Families enjoyed storytelling, facepainting and arts and crafts. |
 | Passover with Frogs, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, April 24, 2010More than 350 parents and tots turned out for JUF’s Joyfully Jewish Passover celebration at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The sold out event featured performances by singer Mindy Hester of Sprouts!, Passover “tall tales” by the Hogwash Improv group, holiday-themed arts and crafts activities , and “guest appearances” by some of the museums other residents for the kids to touch and feel. |
 | Tot Hop at the Menomonee Club and Sullivan Community Center, August 16, 2009Over 300 parents and children listened and danced to two performances of ShirLaLa, hip Jewish music just for kids. The concerts celebrated the launch of the PJ Library program and the success of JUF Right Start. |
 | Joyfully Jewish Programs videoThe following Joyfully Jewish video was recently created for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s 111th annual meeting to highlight Joyfully Jewish programs that provide families with young children opportunities to explore and celebrate Jewish life, engage with the community, and help instill in young Jewish children a love of Jewish learning. |
