By Marci Barnes

Our High Holy Day season is nearly complete, and we have had great feedback on all of our programming so far!  

Adult Services, Children and Family Services, Tashlich in the Park, Blowing Shofars, Yizkor, Building Sukkahs, Celebrating Simchat Torah on the first weekend in October - all of it has been remarkable.  

It’s getting a little cooler outside here in Richmond and we have great news for families with young kiddos who may not be able to go to the park every day - Tot Programming!  

We all know how important an early childhood education is and just as imperative is an early childhood Jewish education.  Whether you send your children to a Jewish preschool or light the Shabbat candles when you visit Grandma’s house, these touchstones all help to build a strong foundation for a child's social, emotional, and spiritual success.  

During these early years, a child's brain grows very fast. Starting to teach your kids Jewish values along with prayers, songs and playing with Jewish friends, all help shape positive Jewish experiences. 

We have a full year’s worth of dates scheduled for our Tot Shabbat services, featuring Jewish stories, activities and songs.  They begin on Saturday morning October 10th at 11 a.m.  We invite everyone to stay afterward for our traditional kiddush lunch as well!  Please see the flyer with this article for all the special Tot Shabbat dates this year.  

In addition, our Religious School has a very vibrant Pre-K program that kicks off on Sunday, October 11th at our Parham Road building.  This year’s pre-K calendar is included here too. Be sure to be in touch if you want to give either or both programs a try! 

I look forward to seeing you at the pumpkin patch, in the apple orchard and at Temple Beth-El this fall!

For a complete list of events at Temple Beth-El, please check out our website at www.bethelrichmond.com or reach out to Marci Barnes, Director of Congregational Learning at m.barnes@bethelrichmond.org.