In this Issue:

• Welcome to The Shofar

• JUF Book Buddies

• Spertus Institute's activities for young children

• Young Women's City Council Volunteers with Maot Chitim

• What's happening at the Jewish Community Centers?

• Early Childhood Center for Innovative Learning

• Something You Should Know: "Jewish Literacy and Reading"

JUF’s Shalom Baby welcomes the newest members of our community by providing a complimentary gift package to Jewish newborns up to one year old in Chicagoland.

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A pilot project to make Jewish preschool and daycare more accessible and affordable for parents.

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JUF is delighted to present the debut of this e-newsletter, The Shofar, for families with young children.  You are receiving this e-mail because you participated in a JUF program such as Shalom Baby, JUF Book Buddies, or JUF Right Start.

Appearing monthly, The Shofar will highlight programs of JUF and its agencies which are available for young families, and conclude with a relevant educational article.

The Shofar was chosen as its title since the shofar, an ancient instrument usually made from a ram's horn, is used during the Jewish high holiday services of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.  When the shofar is blown, its loud sound attracts the attention of worshippers.  So too, we hope that The Shofar e-newsletter will attract your attention and interest in Chicago's Jewish community's programs for you and your young children.

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Looking for a fun, free family JEWISH activity to do with your preschoolers or grandchild? JUF's Book Buddies is back again this year and better than ever! Join us on Sunday, January 11 and February 15 at one of two Barnes and Noble locations: 47 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville or 720 Hawthorne Center, Vernon Hills. We will learn about Shabbat in January and Tu B’shevat in February through arts and crafts, story time and songs from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. 

JUF Book Buddies is a program of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, in partnership with the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago.

For more information, contact BookBuddies@juf.org or 312 444-2844.

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SOMETHING ELSE  December 25,  10 a.m.-4 p.m.

On a day when almost everything is closed, Spertus is wide open with activities for all ages!

Join us at 610 S. Michigan Avenue for music and entertainment, visit our new Gray Children's Center, enjoy arts and crafts workshops, a game room, puppeteers, and much more.  Treat your family to lunch at the Spertus Café, visit the Asher Library for books and a chess tournament, shop at the Spertus Shop, and enjoy a day of fun for everyone in a warm and welcoming Jewish environment.

Last year, our annual Something Else! festival was even more popular than expected, so this year we've EXPANDED THE HOURS, increased the variety of performers and activities, and doubled the dining options.

Cost is $10 per family. To minimize waiting in line, purchase your family's ticket in advance.  Call 312 322-1773.  As is our tradition, visitors are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for distribution to needy families through the EZRA Multi-Service Center.

And beginning in January

PreSchool Story Time.  Children, ages 2 ½ to 5 with a parent or caregiver, are invited to visit the Gray Children’s Center every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. to enjoy themed stories and art activities. This program encourages social interaction while stimulating young imaginations and promoting early literacy.  PreSchool Story Time lasts approximately 30 minutes. 

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Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago provides food to needy Jews in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs for Passover and Rosh Hashanah, to help them observe the holidays in a traditional and dignified manner. Volunteers will meet a truck at an apartment building and distribute food boxes to individuals’ apartments.

Sunday, April 5, 2009
Location announced as date approaches
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Family Friendly.  Space is limited and reservations on a first come basis.

Contact Elissa at 312 357-4803 or YWCCouncil@juf.org.

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The mission of the Young Women’s City Council is to create and build a vibrant Jewish women’s community in the city of Chicago. Representing the Jewish United Fund, we offer educational and outreach programs, mitzvot opportunities and tzedakah events.

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NEW!
Drop-in Play Villages for ages birth through 5 years. Children’s imaginations soar during unstructured play under mom’s/sitter’s watchful eye, as adults meet new friends and visit with old while enjoying complimentary coffee/tea.

Florence Heller JCC on Wellington, 615 W. Wellington, Chicago, 773 935-6310

Lake County Jewish Community Campus**, 23280 N. Old McHenry Rd, Lake Zurich,  847 719-7340

Mayer Kaplan JCC**, 3030 Church St, Skokie 847 763-3520

Generally open daily, Mon-Fri. 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. but call each site for exact opening and closing times and cost.

**Lake County JCC and Mayer Kaplan JCC are free during December 2008 and January 2009!

NEW!
Great Beginnings™, the North Shore’s premier music and movement program for adults with children ages 3 months through 18 months is being offered at Bernard Horwich, 3003 W. Touhy, Chicago.  Winter Session 1/5/09-3/30/09.  Call 773 761-9100 for information or to register.

Registrations for Winter Session adult/child classes for children ages birth through 2 years are currently being taken.  Call your nearest JCC or visit our website.

Winter Vacation Days
For 3 to 5 year olds.  Monday, 12/22/08-1/2/09 (No program Dec 25 or Jan 1). 

“Brunch with the Bugs”
Sunday, February 8, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  A Family Fun Day at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago. Join us for a morning of brunch, arts and crafts, entertainment by Joel Frankel.  Celebrate Tu B’Shevat and much, much more!  Everyone is welcome.

Register now for 2009-10 Preschool, Full Day Child Care, Enrichment and Summer Fun at the JCC. Registration forms are available online.

Back Up Care is offered at Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook, Jacob Duman JCC in Buffalo Grove, Mayer Kaplan JCC Children’s Center in Skokie, Florence Heller JCC in Chicago and Anita Stone JCC in Flossmoor. When your child care plans do not work out and you need temporary care for your children, the JCC has a program for you.  Contact the JCC Early Childhood Director at the sites listed above that is most convenient.

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Jewish Child and Family Services offers an Early Childhood Center for Innovative Learning (ECCIL) in Highland Park for infants thru kindergarten age children.  ECCIL is a program of the Glick Center for Early Childhood Services.

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Reading together is one of the earliest shared experiences of parents and children. The desire to read starts with the early enjoyment of being held in a lap and cuddled as a story is read. There is a feeling of warmth and security fostered by lap time reading. What could be better than including books with Jewish themes to enrich your child’s literacy experiences even more?

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