12166 Conway Road
St Louis, Missouri 63141
314.432.5877
Families with Young Children
We love sharing Jewish moments with Temple Emanuel's youngest community members! Our aim is to offer programming and resources to help families experience the joy and richness of Jewish life.
Our families (members and non-members alike) come from over 20 zip codes around the St. Louis area.
Since our founding, Temple Emanuel has been especially dedicated to
embracing and serving interfaith families – and doing so on their terms.
We send a few emails each month with upcoming events and resources. If you would like to be added to this list, please email Rabbi Janine Schloss, Rabbi Educator, at rabbijanine@testl.org or 314-432-5877.
Summer Events for Families with Young Children
We have a great summer of 2023 planned for our youngest families!
June 4: TE Tots
June 9: Tot Shabbat
June 30: Tot Shabbat
July 9: Play Street Museum Playtime & Lunch w/ PJ Library
July 30: Splash Pad Playtime at Millennium Park
August 11: Tot Shabbat
August 13: TE Tots
See here for the full description of our summer events!
TE Tots
2-4-year-olds with their adult!
Sunday mornings
Breakfast 9:00 - 9:30 am
Class 9:30 - 10:30 am
TE Tots is a drop-in program (no registration required!) for 2-4-year-olds with a guardian! The program meets approximately every other week from 9:30 - 10:30 am during the school year and twice during the summer, and our time together is filled with stories, art, music, and movement. The TE Tots families are also invited to join the Religious School families for breakfast from 9:00 - 9:30 am (bagels, fruit, yogurt, and cereal). No RSVP's required.
TE Tots is open to Temple Emanuel members and non-members alike, so bring your friends!
This is also a great opportunity for grandparents to share with their grandchildren!
Young Family Shabbat
(previously known as Tot Shabbat)
For Children Up through 2nd Grade and their Families!
Friday nights
Dinner 5:15 - 6:00 pm
Service 6:00 - 6:30 pm
Tot Shabbat is a Shabbat service especially for our youngest families! Our Friday night services begin with a family-friendly dinner of fried chicken, mac n'cheese, hummus, fresh vegetables, fruit, and more. The services have lots of music, dancing with our stuffed Torahs, great stories, and wonderful community-building for children and their adults. No RSVP's required.
Tot Shabbat is open to Temple Emanuel members and non-members alike, so bring your friends!
This is also a great opportunity for grandparents to share with their grandchildren!
Resources for Families with Young Children
PJ Library sends families free Jewish books each month! No strings attached (really!). Be sure to sign up at pjlibrary.org. Their website is also a treasure trove of resources for parents looking to learn more about Jewish topics and how to teach them to their children. Recipes, book recommendations, a streaming radio station with Jewish children's music, and much more!
18Doors (formerly Interfaith Family)
18Doors offers quality resources on Jewish holidays, lifecycle events, and general family life. They are designed for people in interfaith relationships and families but are helpful and relevant to all. https://18doors.org/