learn about
Young(ish) Families
Who We Are:
Young(ish) Families is Temple Isaiah’s collective of folks with at least one child 0-8 years old. We offer meaningful social, spiritual & educational connections throughout the year – some for the whole family, some just for adults! From Party in the Park to Family Camp to Shabbat & Havdalah gatherings to our beloved Grandparent & Me class, our goal is simple: to form lifelong connections and community-within-community. Join us!
Leadership:
Our programming is overseen by Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen in partnership with our educators and Young(ish) Families Task Force, a cohort of parent volunteers. If you are interested in joining the Young(ish) Families Task Force, reach out to Rabbi Jaclyn: [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS
Check back here soon for updated information and RSVPs for our upcoming year of programming!
Sing, dance, pray & learn together!
These experiences are designed for folks with at least one child aged 8 or younger. Please make sure to RSVP if you plan to attend.
Upcoming dates:
Saturday January 25, 9:30am – Young(ish) Families Shabbat
February 7-9 – FAMILY CAMP RETURNS! at Camp Alonim in Simi Valley
Tuesday February 11, 6-8pm – Multigenerational Tu Bi’Sh’vat Celebration
Friday March 14, 5:45pm – Community-Wide Purim Shabbat
Friday May 2, 5:30pm – Young(ish) Families Yom Ha’Atzma’ut Shabbat
Sunday May 18, 12-3pm – Kidchella
Join us for High Holy Days!
The High Holy Days are deeply meaningful and powerful experiences for Jews of all ages. This year, we’ve designed special programs to create lasting memories for the whole family! Join us for a Young(ish) Families service, engaging childcare options, and a meaningful Tashlich to help usher in 5785 together. If you haven’t secured your tickets yet, there’s still time – click here.
S’lichot – September 28:
Family S’lichot: Welcoming the High Holy Days:
4pm to 6pm at Temple Isaiah –Join our clergy, songleaders and the Pop-up Choir as we get ready for The High Holy Days. We will introduce the themes and melodies of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and have a special preview of the shofar blasts. Fun and engaging services will be followed by pizza dinner and play time on the deck. RSVP HERE
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 – October 3:
Rosh Hashanah Morning Service for Young(ish) Families:
9:15am to 10am at UCLA Royce Hall West Lobby – Our clergy, songleaders and our Pop-up Choir will begin the Rosh Hashanah celebration through interactive and fun services for families with young(ish) children (0-8). All families and children are invited to the conclusion of the Main Rosh Hashanah service for the final shofar blasts and joyful singing (~12 -12:30 PM).
Morning Childcare:
9:15am to 10am at UCLA Royce Hall West Lobby – Childcare will be available for children ages 2-6 following the Young(ish) Families Service until we all join together for the end of the Main Rosh Hashanah Service (~12-12:30pm). RSVP required through the membership portal – no sign-ups at the door.
Main Service:
10am – 12:30pm at UCLA Royce Hall – Our clergy, choir, band and community will greet the New Year with thought-provoking and profound words, powerful and engaging music, chanting from our sacred Torah, and the dramatic sounding of the shofar. Separate Youth Services and Teen Services will be held for 2nd-6th graders and 7th-12th graders respectively. The entire community (all ages) will join for the conclusion of the service for the final shofar blasts and joyful singing (~12 -12:30pm).
Tashlich:
3pm – 5:30pm at Santa Monica Beach Tower 22 – The Clergy and our Ba’alei T’kiah (Shofar Blowers) will share blessings, songs and the sounds of Shofar as we participate in Tashlich, the ritual casting off of sins into living waters, the Pacific Ocean. This beautiful ritual and casual service is appropriate for all ages. We will offer two chances to participate in services, at 3:30 and 4:30pm.
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 – October 4:
Service and Playtime for Young(ish) Families:
9am – 10:30am at Temple Isaiah Sanctuary & Vollmer Deck – Our clergy and our Pop-up Choir will continue the Rosh Hashanah celebration through interactive and fun services for families with young(ish) children (0-8). Playtime on the Vollmer Deck continues at 10am following services.
Yom Kippur – October 12:
Yom Kippur Service for Young(ish) Families:
9:15am to 10am at UCLA Royce Hall West Lobby –Our clergy, songleaders and our Pop-up Choir will lead an engaging and age-appropriate service for families with young(ish) children (0-8).
Morning Childcare:
9:15am to 10am at UCLA Royce Hall West Lobby – Childcare will be available for children ages 2-6 following the Young(ish) Families Service until the end of the Main Yom Kippur Morning Service (~12:30pm). RSVP required through the membership portal – no sign-ups at the door.
Main Service:
10am – 12:30pm at UCLA Royce Hall –As on Rosh Hashanah, our clergy, choir, and band will lead us with powerful and sacred words and music, inviting us to continue the meaningful process of t’shuvah, reflection and repentance. This service will also feature the voices of our community and chanting of Torah. Separate Youth Services and Teen Services will be held for 2nd-6th graders and 7th-12th graders respectively.
N’ilah:
5pm – 6:15pm at UCLA Royce Hall – The gates do not close and the Book of Life is not sealed until the sun sets on Yom Kippur. This holiest of days concludes with this uplifting and joyful service—a perfect way to end the day before breaking the fast.
Past Events:
Kidchella: A Pre-Passover Celebration
Grab your flower crowns & best music festival attire and get ready to jam! Join Temple Isaiah’s house band & clergy for music, dancing, Pre-Passover learning, pizza & fun! We’ll conclude with a sweet Havdalah ceremony marking the end of Shabbat
Bim Bam Shabbat
Got that Shabbat feeling? Let it shine in our new Bim Bam Shabbat class! Join your toddler for music, movement, stories, and snack as we celebrate the joys of Shabbat and all its blessings.
Class is now full. If you are interested in joining for next session, please reach out to teacher Jessica.
Party in the Park: An End-of-Summer Bash for Temple Isaiah Young(ish) Families
Sunday, August 20
Join your Temple Isaiah friends (old AND new!) for live music, crafts, snacks, a little bit o’learnin’ and lots o’fun! Featuring our friends, THE BEAT BUDS! ! It is FREE, but RSVP is required.
“All Apologies” at Sorry not Sorry on Pico
Saturday, September 23
High Holy Days are a time of reflection, introspection, and forgiveness – but they are also a time for reconnecting with your Isaiah community as we begin a new Jewish year. Join us for an evening of storytelling & song focused on forgiveness and atonement. Complete with craft cocktails & delicious food, we’ll prepare mind, body, and spirit for the holy day of Yom Kippur.
Sukkot at Avitals
Saturday, September 30
Join us for parent’s night out to celebrate Sukkot! Dinner, drinks, music, friends and fun! Please plan to bring beer or wine to share.
Family Camp at Camp Alonim
January 26-28, 2024
Our Isaiah tradition of Family Camp returned with a bang after a five year hiatus! Designed for families with younger children (most of whom were experiencing Family Camp for the very first time) our pilgrimage to Brandeis Bardin in Simi Valley over the final weekend in January featured incredible moments of bonding, connection, and of course, fun! From praying together with Rabbi Jaclyn and Teacher Sophie to art projects, sports, yoga, Israeli dance, Torah study with Cantor Schloss, a sound bath meditation (truly a highlight!), adults-only 90s party, campfire and much more, it was an unforgettable weekend for all.