Youth Programming

Darkhei Noam provides youth programming and childcare for children ages infant through pre-B’nai Mitzvah age. Groups are lead by graduate or college students, all of whom have extensive experience in Jewish education and in working with these age groups.

In addition to leading groups, our veteran leaders, Josh Sherwin and Maiya Chard-Yaron, will coordinate the curriculum and plan together with all of our leaders to ensure consistent, high quality programming. Our goal is to provide youth programs that are both enriching and fun. Maiya and Josh can be reached at youthleaders@dnoam.org and will also forward your email to specific group leaders as appropriate. Youth Programming is coordinated by two parent volunteers, Allie Alperovich and Julia Zeuner. We always welcome additional volunteers and appreciate your feedback on the programming. Please feel free to approach us on shabbat or email us at youthcommittee@dnoam.org. 

Babysitting begins at the start of services for our infants and younger children. Our long-standing, highly skilled babysitters, Hortense and Corey, provide childcare throughout the service.

Youth groups begin 30 minutes after the start of services (9:30 or 10:00 depending on the time of year) with an hour of informal activities and supervised free play, followed by the more formal programming described below. Each group has its own play space with age appropriate toys, games and books. Our two older groups have the additional option of more active free play including, gaga, soccer or touch football.

In addition, we offer the following structured, educational programming.

3-5 years old: Youth Service beginning at 11 am and consisting of tefillah, stories about the parsha, singing, and dancing with the Torah. The service concludes with kiddush and snack. Parents are welcome to participate with their children, but are not required to.

6-8 years old: Kiddush snack followed by a formal program of games, skits, discussions, or other activities connected to Shabbat, Jewish holidays or the parsha. Children are brought into the main service for the end of prayers and will help lead the end of services as they become comfortable doing so.

9-11 years old: Kiddush snack followed by a formal program of games and discussions connected to Shabbat, Jewish holidays or the parsha. In addition, this age group is learning the end of the prayer service which they have begun to lead for the entire congregation. In addition to shabbat programming, childcare and youth programming is provided for all minyan sponsored lunches and dinners. 

Donations of gently used toys and books (for all ages) are greatly appreciated. Please contact our administrator Mandy at administrator@dnoam.org to coordinate any donations.