Synagogue, library partner for ‘Pray and Play’
Temple Beth Emet, a Reform synagogue in Cooper City, was the site of a special pre-Rosh Hashanah family event.
The event, called Rosh Hashanah Pray and Play, was presented by the congregation’s Early Childhood Center and the PJ Library of the Jewish Federation of Broward County.
The free program, which has been offered by these two organizations for the past few years, is geared towards families of young children and is open to anyone in the community. It includes crafts, music, story time and challah baking.
Laura Goodman, the congregation’s director of engagement and programming, said, “The goal of the Pray and Play is to introduce families who aren’t necessarily connected to the synagogue, but who are Jewish to young family holiday programming, so they can learn about Rosh Hashanah and what it means and the kids get exposed to the different aspects of Judaism through the holidays.”
Marney Tokar, PJ Library director for the Jewish Federation of Broward County, said the Pray and Play is a great program that has always been well-attended.
“The program is very welcoming and very interactive,” Tokar noted.
“I think [it’s popular] because it’s a feel good family program where the parents get reminded of the holiday and the kids get to do crafts and they can learn to do stuff at home, such as baking the challah with their families,” Goodman said.
Goodman said the partnership with the PJ Library for this event is fantastic.
“We always have a story time where Marney Tokar will read one of the PJ Library books to families in attendance and then we roll with the other activities we have planned, whether it’s having a singer come in to sing songs or crafts or baking and cooking.”
Both Goodman and Tokar feel the program prepares the children for the Jewish High Holidays.
“Families with young children benefit from hands-on personal experiences, so whatever story, song or activity is done, it is directly related to the holiday theme that we’re celebrating,” Tokar said.
Tokar said the collaboration with the congregation is a great one.
“Temple Beth Emet has benefited from the impact of PJ Library and the value of the partnership,” she said.
Tokar noted that the PJ Library is doing a few programs with the congregation this year. The congregation hosts other Pray and Play events for other holidays in partnership with PJ Library, including a Sukkot program on Oct. 7.