Night 1: Children
December 2020
This Hanukkah we are taking a moment to shine a light on the resilience of our community throughout this past year. Tonight, we light the 1st candle of the menorah and read how our community brought light and hope to our children.
PJ Library San Antonio sent a free Jewish book to over 400 local families each month this year! Through virtual programs like Shabbat at Home and PJ Story Time, craft kits, holiday guides,and more, PJ Library San Antonio helped shine a light for Jewish children during this difficult year.
Through much effort, creativity, initiative and consultation, following many safety protocols, the Chabad Center’s Camp Gan Israel was able to provide a meaningful and safe summer campexperience for 80 children. As one parent expressed: “Y’all having camp this summer was the biggest gift you could have given us, it’s been really rough schooling at home, you gave us our bright, fun loving child back.” Families have also been scheduling private one-hour sessions at the new IBC Bank Jewish Children’s Playground located at the Chabad Center. Schedule your visit today!
For so many children, the JCC is their “Jewish Home Away from Home”. It’s the place they come to explore through play, the place they acquire new skills from learning to share to learning to swim across the pool, it’s their after-school destination when their parents are working, and their summer vacation engaging with community and making new friends at camp.The JCC has impacted children in countless positive ways. And, despite the pandemic, the J remains not only their home, but their light of normalcy continuing to provide opportunities for growth, development, learning, and enhancing self-esteem.
Congregation Rodfei Sholom continued to imbue Jewish children with the light of Jewish faith, regardless of the obstacles 2020 presented. Most recently their new Outreach and YoungFamily Programming Director, Rabbi Natanel Greenwald invited families to a socially distant celebration in their Sukkah. This allowed many children to experience the celebration of Sukkot, complete with lulav and etrog balloons, edible sukkah construction, and most importantly, safe social interaction with their extended Rodfei Sholom Family.
During the lockdown, TASA (Shmuel Bass Torah Academy of San Antonio) teachers and administration continuously checked in with families and students, making sure that they were doing allright, and getting emotional, educational, and spiritual support. For this 2020-2021 school year, TASA is instructing daily in-person school to all their students and thereby supporting families, allowing them towork while knowing that their children are in a safe and loving environment.
To engage the next generation of Jewish leaders, Temple Beth-El has structured their education program to meet students where they are. Through their Beit Midrash Sunday morning program,students can customize a Jewish education that falls in line with their interests: gaming, reading, acting, cooking, or volunteering. Their innovative approach instills in children the core understanding that there is a place for them in the Jewish community.
Heintz Preschool, throughout this pandemic has followed strict procedures and guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing. Overseen by Director Taryn Bretado, Heintz Preschool has 65 children daily and follows curriculum, enrichment and Jewish tradition for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. Thisyear, Heintz preschool expanded and offered a “big kid” opportunity for students in kindergarten through 2nd grade when schools were closed and students were virtually learning. Though this Chaverim Gedolim program, we were able to create a safe, nurturing, and Jewish environment for families of working parents juggling home school, childcare and work themselves.
“The HPS family has provided Millie and my family a sense of normalcy and comfort through all of the craziness of the pandemic. Seeing the smile Millie has when we pull up in front of the school gives my husband and I such a sound sense of happiness and security as we know that Millie is not only protected, but thriving in the school’s care.”- Allison Abelow Laughinghouse