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February 2015

Welcome to Jewish Family Network 



Building Community and Connection

Above Photos: Kulanu Bowling on MLK Jr. Day at Ryan Family Amusements & Donations collected for The Medway House

What's going on in your area? 
Meet the Jewish Family Network Connectors  
 
Jewish Family Network (JFN) connects young families raising Jewish children ages 0-5 to each other and the Jewish community in Metrowest. JFN is a collaboration of JFS of Metrowest and the JCCs of Greater Boston with generous support from Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP).
 
The  connectors are parents who also want to connect to other parents, their children and the Jewish community. 
 
  
(North area: Sudbury, Acton, Marlborough & surrounding communities)



      

 
Nissa Weiss (Central area: Framingham, Natick,   Ashland & Southborough)


 
 
 
  
Dawn Doucette-Kaplan (South area: Holliston, Bellingham, Franklin & surrounding communities)



 
 
 
 
 (Russian Jewish community: All of Metrowest)
Saturday, February 7
PJ Library Owl Prowl with JFN
6:30-8:00 PM

For families with children ages 6-10
$8/person Walk-ins: Additional $5

Are owls truly wise? Just how far can an owl see? Bring the family for a moonlit Tu B'Shevat-themed evening walk in a New England forest and learn about owl calls, behavior and habitat. Search for our frequent evening visitors, the screech owl and great horned owl.  Snack included afterwards. 

@ Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot St., Natick

Saturday, February 28
PJ Library Purim Masquerade Ball with JFN 
5:00-7:00 PM

$20/family; Walk-ins: additional $5

For families with children 2-8 years


Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from evil Haman. Come in costume and join DJ Mike at our Masquerade Ball. Beginning with a short Havdalah service marking the end of Shabbat, the festivities continue with decorating Purim masks, dancing and fun musical games!  Includes a lite dinner and hamantaschen (Purim pastries).

@ Natick Community/Senior Center, 117 East Central Street, Natick


PJ Library Books and Blocks and 
Drop-in!
(Informally known at Playtime Meet-ups)
 
Ages 0-5 years with an adult
Free!
Includes snack and drink for the children

Make friends for you and your kids in these safe, warm, child-friendly spaces!
 
NORTH AREA
Mondays, February 2, 9, 23
9:30 AM 
@ JCC ELC Wayland (at Temple Shir Tikva)
141 Boston Post Rd. (Route 20), Wayland

CENTRAL AREA
Thursdays, February 5, 12, 26
10 AM -12 Noon
@  Children's Room- JFS of Metrowest
475 Franklin St., Framingham
Contact: Nissa Weiss

SOUTH AREA
Fridays, February 6, 13, 27
10 AM -11:00 PM
@ Medway Public Library,  Cole Room
26 High St., Medway
Enjoy an hour of playtime together, then from 11:00-11:30 we will join "Story time" with songs, stories, and a simple craft in the Story Room.
 
Sunday, February 1
Jewish Family Network Presents: alephbetblocks
Choosing the Right Preschool for your Child
10:00-11:30 AM

Refreshments will be served!

How do you know what is right for your child? What choices are there? When do you start? How do you want your culture and traditions supported? Does your child have special needs?

Learn what to look for and what questions to ask from experts:
Amanda Glynn, Parent & Member of Preschool Parent Committee Early Learning Center at Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland
Cindy Sandler, Director Judy Gordon Nursery School at Temple Israel of Natick

Information will be available about the
Early Learning Center at Congregation Beth
Elohim in Acton

Learn how to think about this important decision and about the unique programs at these preschools.

JFS of Metrowest,475 Franklin St, Framingham
508-875-3100 X330 

@ Panache Coffee, 680 Worcester Rd, Framingham

JFN news every month!
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Resource/Support Group for Parents of Jewish Children with Special Needs
A safe place for parents to express concerns and share resources with other parents who understand.

Facilitators: Nancy Fried-Tanzer,  M.Ed. 
& Francine Rothkopf, M.A.

Tuesday evenings 7:00-8:15 PM

 

February 3rd

March 3rd

April 7th

May 5th

June 2nd


JFS of Metrowest 
475 Franklin Street Suite 101 Framingham
For more information, contact Nancy
 
Enjoy Winter with the warmth of
JFN Connectors!

Wednesdays in February!
Wednesday-Inside Morning Walking Group
10:00 AM
Contact: Nissa
FREE!
 
Grab your sneakers, your stroller, and of course your children and meet Nissa in the Natick Mall! A great opportunity to get exercise and spend time with friends. Meet at the first floor Sears entrance near the Dunkin Donuts.  Remember, it's BYOW: bring your own water!

Natick Mall,
1245 Worcester Rd., Natick

Sunday, February 1
2:00 PM
Movie & Snack
FREE- Contact 

Meet Metrowest South Connector, Dawn, for a Pirate & Fairy themed movie & snack at Temple Etz Chaim. Bring your pillow, favorite stuffed animal, dress up as a Fairy, a Pirate or a Pirate Fairy and enjoy a movie with friends! Great way for the little ones to spend the afternoon before the "big game"!

, 900 Washington St., Franklin

Wednesday, February 18
3:00 PM
Mystic Drumz presents...
The Legend of Marshmallow Island
FREE- Contact Dawn

Around over February Vacation?  Meet Metrowest South Connector, Dawn, for a fun percussion show for ages 2-12 at the Medway Library.  In "Legend of Marshallow Island", a magical island rises from the middle of a mystical pond.  Larry the Frog and friends go off in search of Marshmallow Island and the legendary dance party that takes place there! Featured instruments include: Nigerian Talking Drum, Brazillian Quica, Vibraslap Flextone, Chinese Gongs and more!

@ Medway Public Library, 26 High Street, Medway

добро пожаловать! 

 

Engaging Metrowest Russian Jewish Families in Jewish Community Life 

 

Through the generosity of the Genesis Fund in partnership with CJP, Sasha Grebenyuk connects with the Russian Jewish community through engaging programming and activities.  

 

There are special Privet Malish (Welcome Baby!) gift baskets and resources tailored for Russian Jewish families.

  

Here's what the gift looks like on the outside. Curious to know what's on the inside? This baby's mom just found out! You can, too. Sign up here for your FREE basket! 



To find out what engaging programs and activities are offered or if you or a friend are interested in learning more... Please visit Russian JFN's 
Facebook page or e-mail Sasha

 

Genesis Fund logo  

Have you had or adopted a baby in the last six months?  Are you expecting soon, or do you know someone who is?


 

Then sign up for Welcome Baby!  You will receive a "special delivery": a viist with a basket filled with high quality baby gifts.  Let's connect!

 

To get connected, sign up below. 

 


Welcome Baby!  has welcomed 306 new babies to Metrowest already.  

 

"Like" Welcome Baby! on Facebook! Local parenting information, and ways to connect with other families with babies during their first year of life. 
 
SAVE THE DATE 
Sunday, March 22, 2015 
PJ Library Passover Model Matzah Bakery with JFN
10:00-11:30 AM

$20/family; No Walk-ins available

For families with children up to age 6


Passover tells the story of liberation from slavery and having strength to overcome hardship. Dressed in baker's hats, children will experience a fun and educational journey of Matzah making from threshing and winnowing the wheat stalks to watching fresh Matzah pop out of an authentic Matzah oven. Sign up for a 1-hour block/family.

@ Chabad Center of Natick, 159 Boden Lane, Natick


Happy Birthday
February Babies! 

They grow up so fast...

JFN wishes all of our February babies a very happy birthday!
 


Dahlia W. of Wellesley turns 3 on Feb. 2
Sam G. of Ashland turns 5 on Feb. 3
Leilani W. of Framingham turns 2 on Feb. 5
Alyssa S. of Brookline turns 1 on Feb. 7
Dena Z. of Framingham turns 1 Feb. 7
Eli O. of Wayland turns 4 on Feb. 8
Gabrielle V. of Ashland turns 3 on Feb. 9
Sophie G. of Ashland turns 5 on Feb. 10
Goodman Ben G. of Natick turns 4 on Feb. 11
Griffin B. of Bedford turns 5 on Feb. 12
Gus H. of Wellesley turns 2 on Feb. 13
Julia C. of Sudbury turns 3 on Feb. 14
Ella S. of Concord turns 2 on Feb. 15
Lucy K. of Sudbury turns 3 on Feb. 16
Aron B. of Acton turns 4 on Feb. 17
Liliana L. of Sudbury turns 3 on Feb. 17
Lillie S. of Maynard turns 5 on Feb. 18
Jack H. of Wayland turns 4 on Feb. 19
Isabella S. of Dedham turns 4 on Feb. 20
Raphael A. of Westwood turns 3 on Feb. 21
Maya F. of Framingham turns 5 on Feb. 21
Lucy A. of Natick turns 2 on Feb. 23
Ezra A. of Medway turns 5 on Feb. 24
Maayan M. of Natick turns 4 on Feb. 25
Ben S. of Upton turns 3 on Feb. 27
Morgan C. of N. Attleboro turns 3 on Feb. 28

Let us wish your child a happy birthday next month. Please click here for Birthday Wishes
Community Connections

Gateways
JFS of Metrowest
JCCs of Greater Boston-Metrowest 

Keshet
 
InterfaithFamily.com
MetroWest Jewish Day School
CJP (Combined Jewish Philanthropies)
Career Moves-JVS
Reform Jewish Outreach
Jewish Discovery Institute

The Jewish Birth Network  

Jewish Family Workshop 

Yachad New England

Center Makor, Natick

      

Preschools 

Congregation Beth Elohim Early Learning Center, Acton 

Gan Elohim Nursery School, Wellesley  

JCC Early Learning Center, Wayland
Judy Gordon Nursery School, Natick  

Temple Beth Sholom Preschool, Framingham 

   

Synagogues

Metrowest Synagogues-North

Congregation Beth El (R), Sudbury
Congregation Beth Elohim, Acton
Congregation B'nai Torah (R), Sudbury
Congregation Kerem Shalom, Concord

Congregation Or Atid (c),

Hineini, Weston 

Ma'ayan Tikvah, Wayland 
Temple Emanuel, Marlborough
Temple Shir Tikva (R), Wayland    


 

Metrowest Synagogues-Central

Sha'arei Shalom, Ashland
Temple Beth Am (R), Framingham
Temple Beth Elohim (R), Wellesley
Temple Beth Sholom (C), Framingham
Temple Israel of Natick (C)

Metrowest Synagogues-South

Congregation Ael Chunon, Millis 

Temple Beth Torah (C), Holliston
Temple Etz Chaim (R), Franklin 
 

R=Union for Reform Judaism

C=United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Friday, February 20
5:30 PM
JSTART- TOT SHABBAT

JStart is Beth El's initiative for families with young children, ages 0-6. They offer programs on Shabbat, Holidays and throughout the year to engage families in Jewish life. Programs are open to all kinds of families, including, but not limited to- interfaith families, single parent families, LGBTQI families and families with special needs. Members and non-members are invited to participate in all of activities.

Contact Sarah Wilensky with any questions.


@ Congregation Beth El, 105 Hudson Road, Sudbury
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Your one stop resource for all things Jewish in the Greater Boston area.

While browsing JewishBoston.com, check out Jewish Family Network's blog under Personal Stories, where you can find JFN profiles with some of the amazing people in our community, all in one place.  
Jewish Family Network is a collaboration of JFS of Metrowest and the JCCs of Greater Boston with generous support from Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Interfaith families, single parents, people with disabilities, and GLBTQ  families are welcome. 
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