Tot Shabbat- A Young Family Service

 One Friday night a month from 6:00 pm – 6:40 pm there is a service for three to seven year olds and their parents.  This service consists of prayer, singing, learning about Jewish holidays, and there is always a story from the rabbi. 

Bogrim Service- 5th-7th Grade  

One Friday night a month the PJC has a service for 5th-7th graders.  This service focuses on the Kabbalat Shabbat prayers, singing, a discussion about the parsha (weekly Torah reading), stories, and games.  The service is from 6:45-7:30. 

Torah Time:  For Youngsters Aged 5 to 8 Years Old (With Parents) Annelise Ocanto

Our Torah Time program meets approximately twice a month at 11:00 am on Shabbat morning.   Annelise Ocanto is the teacher for Torah Time for 2008/2009.  This is a participatory and musical service for our youngest worshippers and their parents.  Torah Time features an introduction to the basic elements of the Shabbat service.  It is presented in a participatory environment in which our children are free to ask questions and shape their own experiences. 

This is the beginning of a spiritual journey for our PJC children who greatly benefit by the presence and participation of their parents on their journey. In the past, PJC parents found that the service provides a springboard for wonderful conversation with their children about the meaning and purpose of Shabbat, G-d, Jewish ritual, and community.  Torah Time is an engaging and rich experience for parents and children to share with one another

Junior Congregation (3rd through 7th Grades)

The Junior Congregation meets twice a month from 10:30 to 12:00 on Shabbat mornings in the Junior Congregation room upstairs.  Our Junior Congregation leaders pray, tell stories, study Parashat HaShavua (the weekly Torah reading), and play game with our kids.  Leaders ensure that the the Junior Congregation is engaging and fun, and that "our Juniors" acquire the skills necessary for prayer.  Junior Congregation attendance is a requirement of the PJC Learning Center program and a strong component in the building of a knowledgeable Jewish youth community.

2008 Junior Congregation Service Dates

Teen Service:  8th -12th Grades

PJC’s Teen Service meets once a month either on Friday night for Kabbalat Shabbat or on Saturday afternoon for Mincha (the afternoon service), Maariv (the evening service), and/or Havdallah (ceremony ending Shabbat).  These services, led by our youth leaders, give PJC teens an opportunity to experience the formal prayers of our tradition in an open environment with their peers.  Services include in-depth discussion relating to Judaism, Jewish prayer and/or themes relevant to the Torah reading.  On Friday night teens join the main PJC Kabbalat Shabbat service and on Saturday afternoons they hold a separate service.

* These Services take place on Saturday night and are followed by a USY event.