BEKI Kids

Matok @ BEKI News

Welcome to Matok, the new name for young children programming at BEKI! We wanted a name more inclusive and general than “young families,” a name that would also express our aspirations. Matok means “sweet” in Hebrew, and we hope that our programming brings sweetness to your world!

This weekly newsletter gives updates on BEKI’s Shabbat and holiday programs for children, on our BINA religious school, and more.

In This Edition

• Friday: First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Service

• Saturday: Family Services

• Sunday: BINA and Junior Choir

• Check the Schedule for Leading Shabbat Services

• Fun with the Parsha

• Save the Date: Children’s Hanukkah Party, December 14, 4-6:15 pm

Friday: First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Join us at 6 pm for First Fridays, an all-ages, family-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat service!

This joyful, musical service welcomes everyone but is especially accessible to families with children.

Saturday: All Children’s Services Meet at 11 AM

Children’s Havura (Birth-Preschool) meets in the preschool classroom.

K-2 Kehila (Kindergarten-2nd Grade) meets in classroom 4.

Junior Congregation (3rd-6th Grade) meets in the library.

Sunday: BINA and Choir

BINA meets at 9 am.

Junior Choir meets at 12 pm.

Students in Morah Rachel’s class learn Hebrew colors through Twister

Check the Schedule for When You Are Leading

The rotation schedule for leading children’s services is attached.

This schedule continues through the end of December. The January-June rotation will come out soon. Have ideas or requests about when and which services you’d like to lead? Contact Annie!

Fun with the Parsha: Vayetzei

As Parshat Vayetzei begins, Jacob is running away from his twin brother Esau. He falls asleep in the wilderness by the side of the road, with a rock for his pillow. And then he has a very interesting dream.

Jacob dreams about a ladder from the ground to heaven. Angels are traveling on the ladder, both going up and going down. In the dream, God gives Jacob some of the same promises and reassurances that his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac once received: God will be with Jacob, and Jacob’s will have as many children’s children’s children as there are bits of dust on the ground. (Those many children’s children’s children are us! The Jewish people.)

When Jacob wakes up from this dream, he knows right away that it was very important. He says out loud some famous words: “God was in this place, and I did not know it.” Jacob thought he fell asleep in a normal place–a not very comfortable one, because of that rock pillow. But when he heard from God and felt close to God, that ordinary place became holy.

Save the Date: Children’s Hanukkah Party, Wednesday December 14, 4-6:15 pm

On Wednesday, December 14 from 4-6:15 pm, join us for a Children’s Hanukkah Party at BEKI.

BINA students will attend the party with their classes, but all children are invited! Parents, please accompany children under 7.

• For younger children, listen to Hanukkah Storytime with PJ Library!

• For older children, make latkes!

• For all children, enjoy Hanukkah-themed crafts and games!

• For parents, browse the Hanukkah Book and Gift Fair, organized by BEKI Sisterhood