Guide Category: Child and Family Programs
The Guide to Jewish Living offers a comprehensive, up-to-date directory of Chicago-area Jewish organizations, resources, products, and services. The guide acts as a community driven lexicon sponsored by Jewish Chicago: The JUF’s Magazine to foster connection and support. Email [email protected] with questions or for information on advertising opportunities.
* Listings with an asterisk are part of the JUF/JF partnership of agencies serving the Chicago and worldwide Jewish community.
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Maccabim Hebrew School
Serving Israeli and American children age 2 and older in the Chicago metro area, providing them a unique anchor to Hebrew language, Jewish learning and Israeli culture, and strengthening their Jewish-Israeli identity. Families come from a variety of Jewish backgrounds, and the Sunday morning classes are conducted primarily in Hebrew by professional educators who are also native speakers.
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The Chicago Workmen’s Circle School
This is Not Your Parents' Hebrew School! The Chicago Workmen's Circle School is the place for Jewish cultural, progressive education for families with children from ages 5 to 13. The supplementary school learning program, which meets two Sundays per month, brings together hands-on Jewish learning, social justice activism, Yiddish language and culture, history, music and arts, bar and bat mitzvah prep, and holiday celebrations for the whole family. The Workmen's Circle provides a home for families seeking an alternative to a more traditional religious school education.
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Jewish Family Experience
A dynamic family-based Hebrew school and Bnei Mitzvah program, JFE 's team of dedicated and passionate teachers combine experiential learning with a welcoming classroom atmosphere to provide a strong and inspired Jewish education. Founded and supported by the ATT, in partnership with NCSY and the Chicago Torah Network. JFE's once-a-week program attracts a wide range of families from across the North Shore. Families are welcome regardless of religious background or affiliation. Parents participate in holiday workshops together with their children and enjoy weekly discussions led by Chicago Torah Network. Visit jewishfamilyexp.org for more information.
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JCC Chicago Family Programming
Second Fridays 5:45-7:30pm Northbrook@ Bernard Weinger JCC; Lake Zurich @ Lake County JCC; Lakeview @ Florence G. Heller JCC. Who doesn't love seconds and thirds of a good thing? Join the JCC community for a young family Shabbat on second Friday nights monthly. We provide dinner and dessert along with songs, stories and of course Shabbat Candle lighting and challah! Each month, Third Saturdays 3:30pm-5:00pm in Northbrook, Lake County, Lakeview. Third Saturdays is an opportunity for your family to enjoy an afternoon of fun with your JCC community. Ending with Havdalah, families can participate in a themed craft, snack and an interactive activity or entertainment.
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JCC Chicago School’s Out
When school is closed, we’re here for you. School’s Out provides an enriching environment for children across Chicago. Our professional staff balances specialized activities with opportunities for independent play. Your child will enjoy participating in unique “In-House” programs that include games, crafts and a chance to meet new friends. Dynamic School’s Out field trips spark curiosity, foster creativity, and encourage fun! School’s Out is open to all children grades K-6, and before and after care may be provided to extend the day. We’re in session for most school holidays, institute days and emergency weather days.
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Jewish Family Interactive eXperience (J-FIX)
A family Hebrew school and bar/bat mitzvah program servicing the Northern and Western suburbs. Welcomes Jewish families from all backgrounds and instills Jewish values, Jewish identity and Jewish pride in students. A comprehensive, fun and exciting curriculum gives children a strong Jewish foundation to build upon for the future. Need-based scholarships available to qualifying families. Inspiring and informative adult education classes are offered simultaneously for parents at no charge.
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JCC Chicago Sports & Aquatics
JCC Chicago offers a wide variety of sports programming at locations across Chicagoland. All programs provide an opportunity to learn new skills and progress in development through instruction, practice, and individual or team play. Children will learn a love for sports and find new challenges in a variety of classes and leagues within an appropriately competitive atmosphere. Staff is trained to enhance self esteem, teach skills and bring Jewish values to life both on and off the field/court. JCC Chicago also excels at group and individual swim instruction at all swim levels as well as lifeguard training. Swim lessons begin for children as young as three months old. Parent/tot, group and private swim lessons are also available. All-In Swim is a new, inclusive learn-to-swim program for children with autism spectrum disorder and is offered at aquatic locations across the city and suburbs.
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JCC Chicago’s J at School
Start and end each school day with learning, excitement and fun. J at School offers year-round programming with After School, Before School and Enrichment programs. Highly trained JCC staff guide children through entertaining and academically enriching activities, assist
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Jewish Performing Arts Academy
Instruction for high-school students in Jewish song--vocal and instrumental--and dance; four groups: the Shiga'on Singers, the Shiga'on Dancers, the Maxwell Street Junior Klezmer Band, and the Jewish Community Youth Orchestra; performances for community o
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Moadon Kol Chadash
Gan Gani:Hebrew-immersion preschool through Kindergarten program. Moadon:After-school experience; junior kindergarten through eighth grade with a special program targeted at post-b'nai mitzvah students; provides an opportunity for immersion in Jewish culture, religion, tradition, and Hebrew language through collaborative learning; integrated bar/bat Mitzvah preparation.