In this Issue:

• The PJ Library - Free Jewish Books and Music for Children - is now in Chicago!

• JUF Book Buddies Learns About Shabbat - Sunday, November 15

• Bring your Favorite Teddy Bear to JCC's Teddy Bear Shabbat!

• Got Shabbat?

• Family Fun Sundays at Spertus

• Jewish Preschools and Day Schools, and Camps, Oh My!

• Synagogue Programming

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.

Learn more »

Get your child off to the Right Start - the JUF way! It's already time to start looking at preschools for next Fall! If your child will be 2 or older by September 1, 2010, and is the first child in your family to enroll in a Jewish preschool, you may be eligible for a JUF Right Start gift Voucher ranging from $500 - $1,000. 

Learn more »

Sign up today for The PJ Library® and your child/ren will receive a high quality Jewish book or music CD each month for three years. Subscriptions are FREE for families living in the greater Chicago metropolitan area with children ages 6 months to 6 years old. Space is limited and is on a first-come basis.

The PJ Library® in Chicago is a gift from the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, local donors, and local early childhood Jewish educators. Sign up today!

Learn more about The PJ Library »

Looking for something fun (and FREE) to do with your family? Join us Sunday, November 15, 10:30 - 11:30 am as JUF Book Buddies celebrates Shabbat with great books, fun art projects and other friendly families!

4 Locations:

• Barnes & Noble, 720 Hawthorne Center, Vernon Hills
• Barnes & Noble, 590 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg
• Barnes & Noble, 47 E. Chicago Avenue, Naperville
• Borders Books, 755 W. North Avenue, Chicago

RSVP today or contact us at bookbuddies@juf.org or 312-444-2844.

JUF Book Buddies is part of The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Joyfully Jewish initiative and The PJ Library, in partnership with the Jewish Community Center of Chicago.

Teddy Bear Shabbat 
Bring your Teddy Bear to this free event at one of the JCC Play Villages. All events are from 9:30 am - 11:00 am.

• Mayer Kaplan JCC, Skokie: Thursday, Oct. 29
• Bernard Weinger JCC, Northbrook: Thursday, Nov. 5
• Florence G. Heller JCC at Wellington, Lakeview: Thursday, Nov. 12

For more information on programs offered by the JCC, including Me and My Dad, Sports & Leagues, Vacation Days and swim lessons, visit www.gojcc.org.

Upcoming programs:

• November 14, 4 - 5:30 pm, with Scribble Jim of Scribble Monster
  Location: Bernard Weinger JCC, Northbrook, 300 Revere Dr.,
  Northbrook
  Contact: Susan Ellenby, 224-406-9223
• November 17, 4 -5:30 pm, with Special Guest Entertainer
  Location: Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 Broadway, Chicago.
  Contact: Marni Katz, 773-938-8343

JCC's got shabbat? is a great way for families with children ages 4-8 to spend a Shabbat afternoon together. Enjoy craft projects, food, Shabbat songs and a special guest entertainer. This program is available to the community free of charge. It is made possible by a Jewish Federation Priority Grant and the Jewish Community Center of Chicago. For more information visit www.gotshabbat.com.

Joel Frankel's Spertus Gig! 
Singer, songwriter, and children's entertainer Joel Frankel has been captivating listeners of all ages for nearly two decades with his engaging original songs. Join Joel at Spertus for a special celebration of Jewish music and more!

When: Sunday, November 22. Activities: 10:30 am - 3 pm; Concert: 1:30 - 3 pm
Location: Spertus' Gray Children's Center, 610 South Michigan Ave, Chicago
Contact: 312-322-1773. Reservations requested.

Save the Date for Spertus' Chanukah Arts Workshop with Ellen Gradman of Spark Your Art on Sunday, December 6.

View Children's programming at Spertus »

Are you wondering what's next for your child? Learn more.

Akiba Schechter Kindergarten Open House
Perspective parents are welcome to attend this informational program at Akiba to learn more about its stellar Kindergarten Program. This is a parents’ night out, no children please. All families are welcome.

When: Thursday, November 12, 7:30 PM
Location: Akiba Schechter, 5235 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago
Contact: Reada Sabes at 4reada@gmail.com or call Carla Goldberg, 773-493-8880 for more information. 

Hillel Torah Preschool Sunday Fun Day
Hillel Torah’s Early Childhood Program invites current and prospective families to get a taste of the exciting experiences that take place everyday in the preschool classrooms.

When: Sunday, November 15, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Location: Hillel Torah, 8825 East Prairie, Skokie
Contact: Margot Parnass, Director of Admissions, 847-674-6533, or email margot.parnass@hilleltorah.org.

BJE Camp Program
Come and meet members of the Board of Jewish Education (BJE) camp staff and learn about their summer camp program. Staff will be reading stories to the children and Starbucks is providing milk and cookies.

When: November 4, 12:30 pm
Location: Starbucks, 1665 Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove
Contact: Janet Sear, 847-634-0363

Synagogues have variety of ways to bring young families together especially on Shabbat. Because the service is geared towards young children, they are usually short and end with something sweet. If your synagogue is not listed here, call and find out if they have Tot Shabbat Programs for the family. Most programs are open to families even if you are not a member.

Featured Family Programs at Synagogues

Family Night Live! 
Celebrate Shabbat – Sing, Dance, and Pray with a 5-piece band and a worship service designed for families of all ages!

When: Friday, November 20, 6:30 - 7:20 pm with an oneg to follow.
Location: Congregation Beth Shalom, 772 W. 5th Avenue, Naperville
Contact: Elizabeth Sigale at 312-925-5590, or esigale@comcast.net 

Tot Shabbat celebration for families with young children

When: Saturday, November 14, 10:30 am
Location: Beth Tikvah Congregation, 300 Hillcrest Blvd., Hoffman Estates

Mishpacha Family Shabbat Pot-Luck dinner 
Join Beth Emet for a casual dinner, followed by Shabbat services with the congregation. Perfect for families with children 3rd grade and younger.

When: Friday, November 6, 5:30 pm
Location: Beth Emet Synagogue, 1224 Dempster, Evanston
Contact: RSVP to mishpacha@bethemet.org

Families Enjoying Shabbat Together
Saturdays, 9 -10 am: Every Saturday morning, join other families with young children to celebrate the joy of Shabbat with music, prayers, art, play, dance, stories and song. Each week offers a different Shabbat experience with an Oneg snack and get-together following the program.

When: Saturdays, 9-10 am
Location: Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation - 303 Dodge Ave., Evanston