Temple Etz Chaim is committed to serving the young families in our growing community. The goal of the Early Childhood Committee is to help families with young children find a supportive Jewish community and a place to connect with other families raising Jewish children. This committee will develop, implement, and analyze programs for young children (Birth – 1^st grade) and their families. Currently these programs include Tot Shabbat and other community outreach programs. In addition, the Early Childhood Committee will work with other committees to help integrate current early childhood families into existing Temple Etz Chaim programs.

For more information about Early Childhood Programs
contact earlychildhood@temple-etzchaim.org

We have a variety of different types of Early Childhood Programs

• Tot Shabbats - Through crafts, song, stories and oneg, we bring Shabbat to life! All familes in the community are welcome.
• Special Events - These events are geared towards families with young children and are open to all families in the community.
• Temple Member Only Events - These special programs are for Temple members with early childhood aged children.
• Temple Wide Events - These are temple events that are great for early childhood aged children.

For more information see:

• Upcoming Events
• Photo Galleries of Past Events

Would you like to receive email updates and reminder about upcoming events?
Email earlychildhood@temple-etzchaim.org with your name, email address and the ages of your children
and we will add you to our email list.

Tot Shabbat Services

Temple Etz Chaim of Franklin invites families with young children to come together for our monthly Tot Shabbat Celebrations. It is never too early to begin creating your family traditions. Join the Rabbi and fellow congregants for a evening or morning focused on the Jewish holidays and Torah portions. Through crafts, songs, stories and oneg, we bring Shabbat to life.

Friday night services start at 6:30pm and Saturday morning services start at 9:00am, unless otherwise noted.

Tot Shabbat Dinners take place at 6:00 pm. Celebrate Shabbat in this child friendly atmosphere.
Dinner will be catered. Tot Shabbat will immediately follow. Pre-registration is required. Dinner is $4 for children and $7 per adult. Payment should be mailed to the Temple prior to event.

Special Events

• Temple Etz Chaim's 18th Birthday Party - This event took place on February 15, 2009. The children came to celebrate Temple Etz Chaim's 18th birthday and brought items for a birthday box that was created and donated to Birthday Wishes.
• PJ Havdalah- This event took place on Saturday, January 17 6:30pm at Temple Etz Chaim
  A program for early childhood aged children to celebrate Havdalah, sing songs, listen to a bedtime story and recite a Jewish bedtime blessing. Handouts were given on how to create your own bedtime rituals and how to celebrate Havdalah. This one hour program helps families create their own Jewish Bedtime rituals. Kids came dressed in PJ’s, brought a favorite stuffed animal and a blanket. Bring an extra set of new kids PJ's to donate to those in need.
• Sukkot Party - This event took place on in October 2008
  

Photo Galleries of Past Events

• Temple Etz Chaim's 18th Birthday Party February 2009
• PJ Havdalah Party February 2009
• Tot Shabbat Chanukah Party December 2008 - Held after a Saturday morning Tot Shabbat Service, this Chanukah party featured songs and an arts and craft project that gave kids the opportunity to make their own menorahs.
• Sukkot Party October 2008
• Early Childhood Passover Sedar April 2008
• Purim March 2008
• PJ Havdalah (Hit the Hay) February 2008 - A program for early childhood aged children to celebrate Havdalah, sing songs, listen to a bedtime story and recite a Jewish bedtime blessing. Handouts were given on how to create your own bedtime rituals and how to celebrate Havdalah. This one hour program helps families create their own Jewish Bedtime rituals. Kids came dressed in PJ’s, brought a favorite stuffed animal and a blanket.
• Tot Shabbat Chanukah Party 2007 - Held after a Saturday morning Tot Shabbat Service, this Chanukah party featured songs and an arts and craft project that gave kids the opportunity to make their own menorahs.

Would you like to receive email updates and reminder about upcoming events?
Email earlychildhood@temple-etzchaim.org with your name, email address and the ages of your children
and we will add you to our email list.

Temple Etz Chaim, 900 Washington Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Phone (508) 528-5337