<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Youth Activities</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgcolor=#efefef link=4b0082 alink=606060> <H2 ALIGN=CENTER>Congregation <i>Shaarei</i> <i>Tefillah</i><br> <font size=4>Youth Activities</font></H2> <H3>Pre-School <i>Shabbat</i> Morning Group</H3> This group for children ages 3 - 5 meets in the <i>shul</i>'s newly refurbished Youth Room, which adjoins the main sanctuary. The group is run by the parents of children in the group on a rotating basis. The group uses its own "homemade" siddur and enjoys <i>davening</i>, singing, dancing, storytime, and snack. Children under the age of three play quietly in the room under their parents' supervision while group is going on. Group begins when the <i>Haftorah</i> is begun in <i>shul</i>, and generally ends 10 or 15 minutes before the conclusion of services, so that the children can be present in <i>shul</i> for the concluding parts of <i>davening</i>. <H3>Kindergarten/Grade One Group</H3> Children who are in either Kindergarten or Grade 1 enjoy their own <i>Shabbat</i> morning group, which begins at the start of the <i>Haftorah</i>. The group, which is just learning how to daven from the regular siddur, meets in the <i>shul</i>'s library, adjoining the <i>Beit</i> <i>Midrash</i>. Following their <i>davening</i>, <i>parasha</i> activity, and snack, they rejoin the <i>shul</i> for concluding services. <H3>Grades Two to Five Group</H3> Children in grades 2 -5 daven together in the <i>shul</i>'s <i>Beit</i> <i>Midrash</i>. This group is led on a rotating basis by four of our high school students. As the children become more fluent in <i>tefillah</i> and their comfort level increases in use of the siddur, they are encouraged to lead parts of the service themselves. Following an age-appropriate activity and snack, the children rejoin the main <i>shul</i> during concluding services. <H3>Year-Round Children's Activities and Youth Programming</H3> During the course of the year, numerous children's activities are planned, with Chanukah, Tu B'Shvat, and Purim as highlights of the year. For example, we typically have a Chanukah party one evening with music, dancing, games, arts/crafts activities, candlelighting, sufganiyot, and latkes. Our annual Tu B'Shvat Pizza Dinner and Seder is always a success. And Purim at <i>Shaarei</i> is an experience like no other: at our Seudah/Shpiel we have been visited by the likes of Barney, Aladdin's Genie, and numerous other characters. <P>Bnei Akiva has been a presence in Newton for more than ten years. Bnei Akiva (for grades K  8) is coordinated jointly with nearby Congregation Beth El. Chevraya Aleph (K6) meets at Beth El; Chevraya Bet (grades 78) generally meets at homes on a rotating basis. High schoolers serve as madrichim/madrichot. <P>There are also numerous other youth activities going on in Newton. Bnei Akiva and NCSY Shabbatonim, Saturday night or Sunday activities such as move/pizza night, bowling, ice skating, etc. take place on a regular basis. Our youth activities are vibrant, well attended, and provide wonderful social outlets and opportunities for our youth. <P ALIGN=CENTER><A HREF="cmts.html">COMMITTEE PAGE</A> <P ALIGN=CENTER><A target="_top" HREF="index.html">Back to Homepage</A> <hr> Last Update: 7.4.97 <br>Webmasters: <A HREF="mailto:amgreene@mit.edu, hgreene@lotus.com">Andrew and Heather Greene</A>. <br>Copyright © 1997 Congregation Shaarei Tefillah. All rights reserved.