Our rabbi Miriam Berger, had the brilliant idea of instituting a Family Corner at one of our very successful Family services. Since then, we have tried to have the Family corner available at some of the other Shabbat morning services at FRS. In this corner there have been some toys, arts and crafts activities, books and puzzles. These are all set out on a rug, with small table and chairs for the children to sit at. I know from my own children that they have really enjoyed using it.

This Family corner will be set out on every Shabbat morning, when there isn’t a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or other Simcha going on. We hope that families will feel that they are welcome as a whole family to come to our services and that all members of the family have something to occupy them. Whilst the parents participate in the service, the children can play in the corner and at the same time start to feel at home in synagogue and gain something from our services. As regularly as possible we will also be running a short activity or playing games with the kids in the youth centre during the sermon.

I encourage all members to come along and give the family corner a try. We want all members and friends to feel welcome and comfortable in our services and this is one of the first steps along that route.

Come along and give it a try and experience Shabbat in a more relaxed environment.

Should you have any toys/books (that don’t make a noise) or cushions/beanbags at home that are no longer used, please consider donating them for use in the Family Corner. Also, should any member of a community feel that they would occasionally like to run the activity in the youth centre during the sermon, please let Miriam or myself know.

Laura Tobias
Joint Senior Warden and mother of two!