Where Can My Kids Go During Services?

Pre-registration is required to participate in childcare. Childcare is available on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur while parents are attending services at the following times:

• Rosh Hashanah Day 1 (Deadline to register: Sunday, September 21 at 3:00pm)
  9:00am-1:00pm (During Early Service)   |   Ages 18 months-5 • Grades K-6
  1:45-4:30pm (During Late Service)   |   Ages 18 months-5 • Grades K-6
• Rosh Hashanah Day 2 (Deadline to register: Sunday, September 21 at 3:00pm)
  9:00am-1:00pm (During Early Service)   |   Ages 18 months-5 • Grades K-6
• Yom Kippur (Deadline to register: Tuesday, September 30 at 3:00pm)
  9:00am-1:00pm (During Early Service)   |   Ages 18 months-5 • Grades K-6
  1:45pm-4:30pm (During Late Service)   |   Ages 18 months-5 • Grades K-6

Tot Shofar and B'Yachad Family Services welcome our littlest congregants (school-aged children). These lively service options include storytelling and singing. This year, Family Services will be led by VBS Rabbi Avi Kushlan.

Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Tuesday, September 23

• 9:00am – Tot Shofar Family Service

  • A joyful Rosh Hashanah service designed especially for families and our youngest congregants (tailored for ages 5 and under). Join Rabbi Kushlan and the Family Service Musicians for a morning full of music, singing, storytelling, and prayer as we celebrate the new year in a way that’s fun, meaningful, and engaging for all ages.

• 11:00am – B'Yachad Family Service (Day 1)

  • Kick-off 5786 with Rabbi Kushlan and the Family Service Musicians in a musical service designed for elementary-aged kids and their grown-ups. Be inspired as we weave together traditional prayers, a shortened Torah reading, engaging storytelling, and of course plenty of singing!

Rosh Hashanah Day 2
Wednesday, September 24

•  10:00am – Family Service and Tashlich (off-site) 

  • All are welcome to gather in song and celebrate the New Year together with our Family Service Musicians for a casual and meaningful outdoor Rosh Hashanah experience. We will come together for a brief service, shofar blowing and Tashlich – bring your own earth-conscious crumbs, shofars and picnic lunch.
    
    OFF-SITE LOCATION:
    415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica (adjacent to Annenberg Community Beach House) between lifeguard towers 2 and 4
    
    Click here to help plan your visit to this location >
    CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR BEACH & BLESSINGS

• 11:00am – B'Yachad Family Service at VBS (RH Day 2)

  •  On the second day of Rosh Hashanah join us and see your kids shine as they take an active role in leading services with Rabbi Kushlan! This service, designed for elementary-age children and their grown-ups, works to foster a sense of ownership of our beautiful traditions as we invite kids up to lead prayers, read Torah, and discover their Jewish identity in a new way.

RSVP Requested

RSVP For Rosh Hashanah Day 2 B'Yachad HERE

• 4:00pm – Tashlich at Lake Balboa (off-site)
  Click here for details

Yom Kippur
Thursday, October 2

• 9:00am – Tot Shofar Family Service

  • Join Rabbi Kushlan and the Family Service Musicians for a warm and welcoming Yom Kippur service designed especially for families and our youngest congregants (tailored for ages 5 and under). Music, singing, storytelling, and prayer are just some of the ways we’ll observe the holiest day of the year through an experience that is fun, meaningful, and engaging for all ages.

• 11:00am – B'Yachad Family Service

  • In this Yom Kippur service, designed for families with elementary-age children, Rabbi Kushlan and the Family Service Musicians explore the themes of reflection, forgiveness, and starting fresh in ways that are age-appropriate and engaging. This service nurtures a sense of community and spiritual connection as we enter the holiest day of the year together.

• Join together for Mincha (5:15pm), Neilah (6:15pm) and the Final Sounding of the Shofar (approximately 7:13pm)
  Click here for service times and options

Daphna Venyige Gutman

Daphna Venyige Gutman is a cantorial soloist, prayer leader, and teacher.  She recently completed a two year fellowship at the Davvenen Leadership Training Institute (DLTI) where she studied the art of Jewish communal prayer, leadership, and public ritual.  Daphna works as a cantorial soloist, prayer leading in and around Los Angeles, as well as around the country. Daphna teaches religious school, prepares and mentors students for their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and officiates lifecycle ceremonies. Daphna believes in the power of ancient words and melodies to help guide us to venture into realms of deep emotion, gratitude, connection, spiritual growth, and peace.

Gitai Vinshtok

Gitai Vinshtok is a musician and songleader born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. He believes in the power of music to unite people through difficult times. Gitai can't wait to lift families up in song this High Holy Day season.

Noam Israeli

Noam Israeli is a Los Angeles based drummer, producer and recording artist from Israel. Ever since being young, he has been fascinated with music - trying different instruments until he fell in love with the drums at age 12. Israeli has studied at the Rimon School of Jazz, Israel Conservatory of Music and The Berklee College of Music, from which he graduated with a Masters degree in music performance and production. Through his studies in Berklee, he was a member of the prestigious Berklee Global Jazz Institute, led by virtuoso pianist Danilo Perez. In 2013, Israeli was a finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Drum Competition, held in Washington DC. Noam Israeli has performed in major festivals and famous venues and halls around the world, and performed with notable musicians such as Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, Ben Street, Miguel Zenon and others.