New URL

If you're reading this from a URL you've bookmarked, you might be missing something. The site has now been moved to http://www.shalomnova.org/youngfamilies/

Update your bookmarks and I'll see you there!

Israel Street Festival - Sun May 22

Celebrate Israel's Independence Day with the Jewish community at Fairfax Corner (11900 Palace Way, Fairfax, off Monument Drive). There will be events from noon until 5, with a screening of an Israeli film at 5:15 to end the activities. We were there last year and it was a lot of fun for the kids, too. I highly recommend it! (And this year, I won't be 39 weeks pregnant, which probably made it less fun than it would have been otherwise.)

For information on the festival or to become a sponsor, contact Laurie Albert at (703) 537-3064 or LaurieA@jccnv.org. To volunteer, e-mail volunteer@jccnv.org.

Expect to find yourself in DC or Maryland that day? There are events at the Rockville and DC JCCs, too. More info is available online.

Mother's Circle - this fall

This fall, the JCC will have the opportunity to offer the Mother’s Circle program. The Mothers Circle provides free education and support for mothers of other religious backgrounds raising Jewish children. To learn more about this exciting program please stop in for a fun informational gathering on Wednesday, May 4th at 7:00pm.

For more information contact Laurie Albert at 703.537.3064 or LaurieA@jccnv.org. Please contact Laurie if you can attend or would be interested in the fall class.

Rocknoceros preschool fundraiser - June 5

Rocknoceros returns to Agudas Achim Preschool on Sunday June 5. Doors open at 3:30 pm and the concert begins at 4. Mark your calendar to join this famous, fun and utterly entertaining musical group for kids of all ages. We were there last year (with our newborn in tow) and plan to return this year!

Concert tickets go on sale May 1 and will be $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Concurrent raffle of baskets filled with wonderful kid-friendly and family-fun activities. Raffle tickets 5 for $5, also on sale May 1.

Agudas Achim is located at 2908 Valley Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.

For information contact preschoolevents@gmail.com.

Creating our own traditions

When did you decide that your old Haggadah just wasn't working for you anymore? Do you tend to use bits and pieces from different ones? Do you leave it up to whomever hosts to decide? I've been struggling a bit because I know that the one we've used for years and years hardly satisfies the adults, let alone my almost 4-year-old. I tried to explain the text to him in simple English, but I'm not sure that the content is relevant to him. And isn't the point of the Haggadah to tell the story? (L'hagid means to tell!) Last year, when I was 9 months pregnant at the seder, I brought along a handful of alternate texts and readings but they weren't particularly well-received. My goal for the coming year is to take another step forward so that next year not only my older son but even my younger one will understand a bit of the seder. I would love to hear suggestions and comments about how your seders have evolved since having kids. Thanks!

Register TODAY for Sunday's Passover GJF Event

Yes, I'm doing this last minute too, but the form is available online so there's no excuse! Find the form here: http://www.jccnv.org/documents/fliers/Passover-Fun-Flyer.pdf

Contact Brittanie or (703) 537-3019 to let her know to expect your registration.

Taste of Israel - Wed May 25

Need something to do with your teenager? If your child likes to cook (and to eat), look into the Taste of Israel: Ethnic Cooking at its Best on Wednesday May 25 at 7 pm at the JCC.

Six Israeli women from the area's partnership community with Beit Shemesh-Mateh Yehuda will come to the JCC to cook foods from different areas (Moroccan, Kurdish-Iraqi, Persian, Russian, and Yemenite). You'll learn about the food and also about the stories that these women have to offer. It promises to appeal to all the senses.

You MUST register in advance (by May 20). Please contact Laurie Albert or Amy Brinko to register. The cost is $22 member / $28 nonmember.