Children's Programming at Shaare Zedek
Shaare Zedek offers vibrant opportunities for learning and fun for children ages 0-12 through Shabbat and holiday programming. For questions regarding children's programming, please contact Michelle Dardashti, Director of Children's Programming, at michelle@sznyc.org, or one of our Children's Programming co-chairs, Alison Wishengrad and Rachel Fremmer, at children@sznyc.org.
We are excited to have continued children's programming throughout the summer for the first time! July and August children's programming is geared towards children 0-7, in light of the fact that most of our community's older children are away at camp. Our Shabbat programming for children from birth up until bar/bat-mitzvah will resume after Labor Day.
To download the Winter-Spring 2008 Children's Programming Calendar, click here.
Weekly Shabbat Morning Programming
Shaare Zedek proudly offers two creative, joyful, and educational Shabbat morning programs: Minyan Katan (children ages 0-6 and their parents) and Minyan Gadol (children ages 7-12). Please see below for program leader bios and a description of the programming that will be in effect on all regular Shabbatot, from September 8 through the end of the school year.
Minyan Katan: 0-6 years-old with an adult
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
This program incorporates interactive activities, singing, movement and dance in teaching tefilah (simple prayers) and stories related to the Torah portion and Jewish values. Children experience the beauty, joy and meaning of Shabbat and the holidays in an engaging and educational environment.
Minyan Katan is lead on alternating Shabbatot by Rachel Zygler and Lindsay Waldman. Having both conducted children's programming at Shaare Zedek for the last year, Lindsay and Rachel are already beloved members our community and look forward to another year of Jewish learning and fun.
Rachel Zygler has recently completed her degree in Jewish education from the William Davidson School of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary and will be teaching 9th grade this year at the Maayanot High School in NJ. Rachel is fluent in Hebrew; she has a strong Jewish background, solid experience and a promising future in Jewish education.
Lindsay Waldman is a cantorial student at the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary. Lindsay has a strong background in both music and theatre and extensive experience working with young children.
Minyan Gadol: 7-12 years-old
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Children approaching the date of their
bar/bat-mitzvah are encouraged to begin attending the main service
with their parent(s).
This program offers a creative and fresh look at many of the morning prayers, and engaging discussions and activities in the theme of the weekly Torah portion and/or relevant holidays. It is an hour that will make your kids look forward to coming to synagogue and excited about being Jewish.
Minyan Gadol is led primarily by Ory Rinat, an undergraduate student at JTS's Joint Program with Columbia University. Ory spent a year in Israel on the NATIV Program, grew up speaking Hebrew at home in Queens and has extensive experience working with this age group. As Ory returns for his second year conducting youth programming at Shaare Zedek, any SZ kid between the ages of 8 and 12 will offer a glowing report of his/her time with him.
On select Shabbatot, Minyan Gadol is also fortunate to be led by Jeffery Abraham, a second year rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Jeffery has an MA in Jewish education from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles and experience teaching prayer and Jewish values to children in this age group in Hebrew schools, synagogues and camps across the country.
Director of Children's Programming
Michelle Dardashti is a rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary and comes to us with a wealth of experience in creative family and children's programming, a very strong background in Hebrew and Jewish Studies, and a fantastic energy that our whole community has come to know and love.
The daughter of a hazzan, Michelle grew up in synagogues - leading youth groups, tutoring b'nei mitzvah and singing Jewish music. Following her graduation from Binghamton University, Michelle worked as a Hebrew School music teacher and ran a young children's Shabbat service for two synagogues in Westchester County. Michelle then moved to Montevideo, Uruguay, where she taught in the elementary and high school of the Yavne Jewish Day School, ran programs at Hillel Montevideo and served as a correspondent for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Michelle left Uruguay for Israel in order to pursue a Dorot Fellowship, through which she volunteered at the Wellspring for Democratic Education and studied at Machon Schechter and the Conservative Yeshiva. She spent the following year in Jerusalem as well, working for the Nesiya Institute.
Since returning to New York and beginning her studies at JTS in 2005, Michelle has worked with children of all ages and their families in a number of different contexts in both New York and New Jersey. Michelle joined the Shaare Zedek family last summer as Director of Children's Programming and is eager to go from strength to strength in putting together this year's exciting calendar of events and programs.