Young Families get down on the farm for a Shalom Family—style shabbat dinner

E-I-E-I-O! What do you get when you combine challah with some horses and a hayride? Shabbat Shalom, Hay of course! Young families in the Jewish community are invited to a Shalom Family-style Shabbat dinner fresh from the farm, featuring a mouth watering  array of organic food, hayrides, farm animals to pet, pony rides, a song session with Marc the Marvelous Toy, as well as lots of other hands-on activities geared for children 10 and under on Friday, July 27 at 6pm at Grailville Farm in Loveland and it’s all free!

The event will feature a sit-down Shabbat dinner with all the trimmings, vegetarian selections will also be available. Plus, there will be lots of other projects to keep even the youngest guests engaged. Children will have the chance to braid challah, make organic paper and bug boxes to take home and they’ll get to build Banana Boats, a tasty campfire treat sure to be a favorite of guests of every age.

For the past seven years, Shalom Family, an initiative of The Mayerson Foundation, has been dedicated to helping young families in the Jewish community make connections with one another and with the Jewish community. “Typically our events take place on Sunday afternoons, but this time we thought it would be fun to have one on a Friday night to showcase some of the traditions of Shabbat in a non-traditional setting,” explains Pam Saeks, Director of Jewish Giving for The Mayerson Foundation. “While many of our Shalom Family constituents light the candles and have Shabbat dinner, either once-in-a-while or on a regular basis, many others have never engaged in this ritual in their homes at all. This event will offer them the chance to experience Shabbat together as part of a broader community and allow them to think about how they might incorporate it into their own family’s traditions,” she continues.

“The second the invitation came in the mail my kids were so excited about this event,” says Sarah Bennett, mother of three children ages 4, 6 and 8. “Because of their age span, it’s nearly impossible to find things to do that all three of them can enjoy at the same time. But I have to hand it to Shalom Family, their events always offer something for everyone and this time dinner is even included!”

Shabbat Shalom Hay is free with advance reservations and open to families with children 10 and younger in the Jewish community, in which at least one parent is Jewish. “We are purposely limiting the number of spaces for this event,” says Julie Robenson, Shalom Family Event Coordinator.“Usually our events attract upwards of 600-700 people, but an event of this kind seemed to call for something a bit more intimate which is why we have a strict cut off of 125 people,” she adds. “So far the response has been amazing but because space is limited, those interested in attending should RSVP as soon as possible or risk being wait listed.

Shalom Baby Starter Kits—a series of FREE gifts, sent three times throughout the year right to the recipients front door. They contain gifts and goodies for parents and babies too, such as a “Tushy Towelettes To Go” container, a Baby’s First Jewish Holiday board book, a fork and spoon set, a hard bound copy of the popular book Jewish Family & Life, a Schlep Bag, as well as ritual items and lots of other surprises.

Sensory Sunday: Stories, Songs and Fun for You and Your Little One—private interactive playgroups, offered twice a month at the Gymboree in Mason! These playgroups are free and feature the popular Miss Meliss, who keeps babies and their parents engaged and entertained with her unique brand of fun. Events include a snack and take place from 2-3pm at Gymboree in Mason, Ohio.

To learn more about Shalom Family and/or to RSVP for the Shabbat Shalom Hay event, please consult the Community Directory in this issue for contact information.