Shir Heharim-Brattleboro Area Jewish Community (BAJC) offers two youth and family based programs.
Yalla Tot Shabbat is an interactive program on 10 Fridays throughout the year for families with children ages 1-5. Yalla Tot Shabbat is led by Anna Sobel and Rabbi Amita. The program includes dinner with pizza, challah, hummus and grape juice. There is no charge for Yalla Tots although contributions are always welcome. Tot Shabbat’s first meeting of the 2023-2024 school year will occur on Friday, September 8. Meetings are in person at BAJC, 151 Greenleaf Street, Brattleboro.
Yalla Chaverim is a creative, fun Jewish learning and community building experience for youth ages 6-12 and their families. Translated as “Let’s go Friends!,” Yalla Chaverim is led by BAJC’s Rabbi Amita Jarmon and two experienced teachers (an outdoor educator and a veteran art teacher). It takes place on 9 Saturdays and 12 Sundays during the 2023-2024 school year. The first meeting this year will occur on Sunday, September 10. Meetings are in person at BAJC, 151 Greenleaf Street, Brattleboro.
On Shabbat mornings, everyone in the family is encouraged to come to a one hour Yalla Chaverim service which includes lots of singing and stories. After a short Kiddush with snacks, youth will continue with Hebrew and Jewish Studies while parents have time to discuss questions raised by the Torah portion and topics of interest to them.
On Sunday afternoons, Yalla Chaverim will often be structured around holiday themes and will include outdoor activities. Special programming throughout the year includes puppet shows with Anna Sobel’s http://www.talkinghandstheatre.com and storytelling with award winning Maggid David Arfa. Parents are encouraged to participate on Sundays as well as on Shabbat.
Tuition is $400 per child, $700 if you have 2 children participating. Please inquire about scholarships.
For more information about Yalla Chaverim or Yalla Tots and to receive an application form for Yalla Chaverim and/or Yalla Tots, contact Rabbi Amita at ravamita@bajcvermont.org.
Major funding for Yalla Chaverim is provided by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.