Family Services

Kuddle-Up Shabbat

From 4.15 to 5.00pm every Friday we get ready for Shabbat like only under 5's can. We sing and dance, tell stories, say the blessings and then the moment that all the children seem to look forward to, we get to eat some challah! 

Stars

This monthly service for children in Reception to Year 2 gives them a basic understanding of Jewish services, learning to participate and follow along in their very own, age appropriate siddurim.  They also learn many prayers which they will hear in FRS’s main Shabbat services including the Barechu, Shema and Amidah.  This service is usually accompanied by a guitar and gives the children a repertoire of Hebrew songs.  It also contains a parent-led activity around the theme of up and coming festivals or the weekly Torah reading.  Services start at 10.30.

Forthcoming dates for Stars services are:

21 April

27 May - Shavuot Spectacular (not regular Stars)

16 June

21 July

18 August

Rhythm 'n' Jews

Join us once a month at 11.00am on a Shabbat morning for Rhythm 'n' Jews - our musical family service for all ages. Join our band of instrumentalists and singers as we sing our way through the service. We will include a short, lively Torah service, but no sermon. Everyone is welcome, and those under the age of B'nei Mitzvah are encouraged to bring their parents along. If you'd like to learn the music of Rhythm 'n' Jews, call the office and ask about our new CD. You can play us through your ipods, put us in the car, and even take us on holiday!  Coffee and tea is available from 10.30 for those who would like to come early and chat.

Forthcoming dates for Rhythm 'n' Jews services are:

12 May

27 May - Shavuot Spectacular (not regular RnJ)

7 July

Rhythm 'n' Jews nomination to the Community Lovers Guide to the Jewish Community

Rhythm 'n' Jews is a whole new experience for families wanting to connect with their community on a Shabbat morning.  Families who might feel restricted to coming to 'traditional' services with their children - families who might feel their young children are too young to attend any other children's services; families who feel their older children are 'too cool for shul' and can't get them to engage; families who want to come to Synagogue to experience it together but feel anxious about whether their children will get anything out of it.  Rhythm 'n' Jews services cut across all those groups.  They are a way for families to be together on Shabbat, to enjoy the experience of attending Synagogue, to really connect with the messages in the Torah portion that week at a level that will be accessible to all ages.  And they are really good fun!

Rhythm 'n' Jews services are musical services for all the family.  FRS created a CD of the music included in the service and sent it to every family so they could become familiar with the music and not feel inhibited by lack of knowledge.  Even FRS's youngest members can be seen joining in, singing along or just clapping to the rhythm.  There is a full 'band' - with guitar, bass, keyboards, saxophone, drum and a team of able and willing singers who smile their way through the service, encouraging the families to feel welcomed and at home.  There are even refreshments served at the beginning of the service to increase the welcoming atmosphere.  All band members are members of FRS, many of whom have been members for many years and whose children have now grown up themselves into madrichim and teachers.

The Rhythm 'n' Jews services were borne out of a need at FRS to include families in Shabbat.  Last week, someone who rarely attends Synagogue other than on the High Holy Days, said, "Wow, I feel really uplifted," after having attended a Rhythm n Jews service - which says more than any nomination can possibly say.