Our Events

Young Family Events

These are all our Young Families events for all our programs listed here: jBaby, PJ Library and PJ Our Way

JUF Young Families programming is enriched by the diversity of our participants. We know each family is unique and all are welcome. Please email us at youngfamilies@juf.org if you have any questions or if you require any accommodations to make our programming accessible and welcoming to your family.


jBaby Chicago's Ultimate Playdate: Pizza Party Shabbat

Friday, November 7, 2025 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM <Add to Calendar>

Shabbat + pizza + play = the perfect Friday! Join us at Wonderplay Chicago for a private party just for jBabies and their families— we’ll have yummy pizza, space to run and climb, and time to connect and welcome Shabbat as a community.

Older siblings are welcome. Registration includes private play at Wonderplay and dinner (cheese pizza and snacks). If you would like to request a kosher meal, please send us an email at jBabyChicago@juf.org.


Location:
Wonderplay Chicago
3501 W Belmont
Chicago IL, 60618


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

jBaby & PJ Library | Menorah Decorating | City

Sunday, November 9, 2025 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM <Add to Calendar>

Join us at Glazed Expressions to decorate menorahs for Hanukkah! These pottery pieces will then be glazed and fired as a wonderful keepsake in time to light for this Hanukkah.

Children of all ages allowed for this event. Some yummy snacks and drinks will be provided as well.

Cost for the event includes one menorah. If you would like to paint more then one menorah, please register more then one child. Thank you!


Location:
Glazed Expressions
717 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago IL, 60614


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

jBaby and PJ Library| Matzah Ball Soup Shabbat at Temple Sinai| Chicago

Friday, November 14, 2025 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM <Add to Calendar>

PJ Library and jBaby are joining Temple Sinai Young Families for a free special shabbat! From 5-5:30 we will join a short service with joyful and age-appropriate singing, then stick around from 5:30-6 for a super tasty matzah ball soup dinner!

Location:
Chicago Sinai Congregation
15 W. Delaware Place
Chicago IL, 60610


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

jBaby and PJ Library: Pizza Shabbat for all touched by adoption| Northfield

Friday, November 14, 2025 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM <Add to Calendar>

Join PJ Library Connector Aar to bring in Shabbat at Temple Jeremiah. Join us for a free National Adoption Awareness Month Pre-Shabbat Pizza Dinner as we come together in community to honor and celebrate the many ways adoption touches our lives.
Whether you are an adoptee, adoptive parent, birth parent, foster parent, waiting or prospective adoptive parent, extended family member, professional in the field, or a friend and ally, you are warmly welcome. This gathering is a chance to share a relaxed meal, connect with others, and enter Shabbat together in a spirit of belonging.
Pizza dinner will be served from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., followed by our Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:30 p.m., which will include reflections, readings, and stories connected to adoption. All are invited — come as you are, bring your loved ones, and help us celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month as a community.


Location:
Temple Jeremiah
937 Happ Rd.
Northfield IL, 60093


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

jBaby & PJ Library | Coffee & Connections| Skokie

Thursday, November 20, 2025 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM <Add to Calendar>

Celebrate the new month of Kislev with coffee, conversation, and community! Join us at Soul Good Coffee in Skokie for a relaxed afternoon coffee and/or lunch ( Kosher options usually available at the cafe) designed for parents to connect and network.

Location:
Soul Good Coffee
4022 Main St.
Skokie IL, 60076


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

PJ Library| Family Taproom Meetup: Chanukah, Connect & Craft | City

Sunday, November 23, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM <Add to Calendar>

Calling all young families! Let’s meet at Half Acre’s taproom for a relaxed Sunday afternoon filled with socializing, craft beer (for adults), mocktails for the kiddos, and plenty of interaction. We’ll have designated kids’ crafts and coloring, space for caregivers to chat, and a friendly vibe that welcomes questions, new friendships, and Jewish community spirit. Come as you are and join the fun and build connections. Appetizers will be provided. Craft beer and other beverages will be available for purchase.

Location:
Half Acre Beer Co
2050 W Balmoral Ave.
Chicago IL, 60625


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

jBaby & PJ Library | Long Grove Turkey Trot | Long Grove

Thursday, November 27, 2025 7:45 AM - 9:00 AM <Add to Calendar>

Join our jBaby and PJ Library 5k Team as we complete the Long Grove Turkey Trot 5k/8k on Thanksgiving morning on November 27th. This family friendly (strollers allowed!) 5k/8K race is a great way to get families together to either run or walk a 5k (3.1 miles) or 8K (4.9 Miles) and celebrate Thanksgiving.
Help us bring joy to our community while strengthening belonging and well-being among children and families by donating a gift card (any store or value) to JCFS. The giftcards will be collected prior to the race and dropped off to JCFS.

Registration for jBaby's team is Free.
Registration for the race must be completed using the following link.
Make sure to join "jBaby/PJ Turkey Trotters" team during registration.
https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/LongGrove/LongGroveTurkeyTrot


Location:
Downtown Long Grove
308 Old McHenry Rd.
Long Grove IL, 60047


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

jBaby & PJ Library | Jumping Into Shabbat | Buffalo Grove

Friday, December 5, 2025 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM <Add to Calendar>

Jump Into Shabbat! Get ready to bounce! jBaby and PJ Library are bringing Shabbat to life at 2 Hours of Freedom—an inflatable playground paradise. Jump, laugh, and celebrate with us in a space built for pure fun. $10 per child gets you admission, challah, and grape juice. Drop in anytime between 5:30 - 7:30 PM and jump around. It's Shabbat, reimagined.

Location:
2 Hours of Freecom
1425. Busch Pkwy.
Buffalo Grove IL, 60089


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

Shine Together: A Chanukah Celebration with PJ Library & Jewish Day Schools

Sunday, December 7, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM <Add to Calendar>

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with PJ Library, Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School, Bernard Zell, and Chicago Jewish Day School at The Family Room, Lakeview’s new indoor play space!

Learn more about your local Jewish day schools with representatives from participating schools providing creative Chanukah crafts. Enjoy holiday-themed treats, connect with parents and educators in your community, and experience the joy of the season together.

Highlights include:
A musical performance by Sarah Jayne Lane
Sensory play bins
Chanukah crafts
Kosher snacks
PJ Library free book giveaway & storytime

This event is free, but space is limited—register today to reserve your spot!


Location:
The Family Room Chicago
3229 North Broadway
Chicago IL, 60657


Contact:
PJ Library
pjlibrary@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

JUF Young Families Celebrates Chanukah at the Winter Lights Festival

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM <Add to Calendar>

Third Night- Bright Lights!

Join JUF Young Families at Oakbrook’s Winter Lights Festival for a cozy Chanukah celebration. Take a twinkly walk with your crew, then head inside for pizza, sufganiyot, live music, and a joyful community candle lighting.
It’s going to be festive, delicious, and full of holiday cheer!


Location:
Winter Lights Festival - Central Park West
1500 Forest Gate Rd
Oak Brook IL, 60523


Contact:
JUF Young Families
youngfamilies@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

jBaby & PJ Library | Winter Library Drop-In Playdate| Lincolnshire

Sunday, December 21, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM <Add to Calendar>

Warm up with jBaby and PJ Library friends with a Sunday morning winter playgroup at the library! Join us on December 21, December 28, January 4 from 10 to 11:30 am and drop in when you can for playtime, snacks and stories.

Location:
Vernon Area Public Library
300 Olde Half Day Rd.
Lincolnshire IL, 60069


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

PJ Library | Hanukkah Move & Groove| City

Sunday, December 21, 2025 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM <Add to Calendar>

Celebrate Hanukkah with a high-energy dance class just for little ones through DanceWorks! Kids will jump, dance, play with instruments, and explore fun obstacle courses. We’ll add a Hanukkah twist with themed games and swag. Parents can join in or drop off. Led by warm, experienced instructors who know how to keep kids moving and smiling! This class if for children ages 2-4.

Location:
DanceWorks
2804 W Touhy Ave.
Chicago IL, 60645


Contact:
jBaby Chicago
jBabychicago@juf.org
312-357-4905


Register Online

“Wonderful teachers and other staff, love the music and drama teachers who visit and the use of the natural setting in the classroom.”

JUF Right Start Family