We believe that the journey of a Jewish life starts with our very entry into the world. It is our hope and sincere intention that the children of New London Synagogue experience joy in Jewish living, learning, and community.
If you are a parent or grandparent wishing to understand the full range of services offered to the young person in your life, the best first step is to be in one of our year-based WhatsApp groups. These are announcement-only groups, which will keep you up to date with events at NLS.
Our youth lead is Gabriella Spencer-Hope, who can be contacted at chederhead@newlondon.org.uk.
Pre-School and Reception (0-to-5-year-olds): Welcome to the Jewish World
Our intention for our youngest New Londoners is to welcome them to the world, to their tradition, and to the shul with warmth and joy. We want them to create happy Jewish memories and to see our beautiful building as a place to sing, play, and feel loved. We also aim to create spaces in which young families can get to know one another as part of the larger New London family.
We run a monthly service for our 0-5s, joyfully and skillfully led by Gabriella and her team. These services occur on the second Shabbat of every month and take place upstairs in the Makor Suite (all the way up the foyer stairs). There are also regular Shabbat Tea Parties at Rabbi Jeremy’s house, and occasional festive events (such as the Goldhurst Seder).
Young New Londoners are welcome to join the Cheder in Reception.
Early School Years (6-8-year-olds): Education, Experience, Excitement
As our young New Londoners enter this early school age, they become more interested in concrete learning. We find this to be the perfect time to start learning how to read Hebrew, how the prayers go together, how Shabbat and Kashrut work, and so much more. With more information under our belts, we can use our learning to build on the fun!
You can read more about our thriving Cheder here. Our Cheder runs on Sunday mornings, beginning with Cheder Tefillah, and includes occasional special events (such as Sukkah Decorating & Pizza in the Hut). We also run special Cheder Shabbatot, in which we have the young New Londoners learn together, teach the community, and lead prayers during Musaf.
The B’nei Mitzvah Journey (9-13-year-olds): Taking Ownership
As our New Londoners begin thinking about their B’nei Mitzvah celebrations, we begin the journey into Jewish adulthood. It is important to us that they bond as a group as they transition into taking ownership of their own Jewish identities and explore what it means to walk in the world as a Jew.
Our young New Londoners enter a new stage at Year 7, when they transition from our usual Cheder into the B’nei Mitzvah programme. At this stage, we begin to discuss and learn about themes of Jewish adulthood. These sessions run throughout the Cheder year in three categories: Cheder Sundays, which run on the same timetable as the rest of the Cheder; Shabbat mornings, scheduled where possible around B’nei Mitzvah of those in the Cheder, which include learning with Rabbi Natasha and entering the service for the end of the Torah reading through Musaf (celebrating and witnessing one another’s B’nei Mitzvah celebrations); and Tefillin Breakfasts, during which the B’nei Mitzvah cohort join the adult service on a Sunday morning and learn to lay tefillin, which is followed by learning with their parents and one of the rabbis over breakfast.
We also hold social events for the B’nei Mitzvah cohort, such as lunches, outings, and sleepovers.
This is also the time in which it is hugely beneficial for them to be spending time at Noam Camp, building their Jewish identities away from home at summer camp.
Teens at NLS (13+): Identity and Inspiration
After the B’nei Mitzvah journey, we encourage our teen New Londoners to take ownership of their Jewish identities. One of the roles our teens often take in the synagogue is working as Madrichim in the Cheder. This is a paid role as a teaching assistant, wherein our teenagers are able to model Jewish adulthood for their younger peers.
Our teenagers remain an active part of the running of our synagogue, especially during festive periods. For the High Holy Days, teens participate in the Hall Service (which is an explanatory and exploratory service led by Rabbi Natasha), including the running of the Torah Service, primarily the leyning, call-ups, and shammasing (arrangements). We also enjoy hearing from our teens particularly at Purim, during which they introduce and reflect on chapters of the Megillah for the community.
There are also social events for our teenagers, including sleepovers, outings, and our annual Murder Mystery Friday Night Dinner.
Misc:
Noam Masorti Youth
You can find more information about Noam Masorti Youth here. Noam run in-person residential camps in the summer and winter (Year 5+), day camps during half-term (Reception-Year 4), and online clubs during the year. We hugely, hugely recommend spending time with Noam.
Services
We welcome children of all ages to the synagogue. Some of our youngest members may find it difficult to sit through an entire Shabbat morning service. There is space for them to play on the floor (at the back of the women’s section), books on the trolley in the foyer, and toys (and a quiet space) in the room next to the sanctuary (to the left as you enter the foyer from the entrance).
It is our belief that the sound of children playing in the synagogue is the sound of a living synagogue. Times in which it is appropriate to be silent include the Sermon, the Mourner’s Kaddish, and Yizkor. We ask that parents remain aware of the needs of their children to ensure this space for others.
High Holy Day Services
We run a full range of services for our youth on First Day Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We also run a service for our youngest New Londoners on Second Day Rosh Hashanah. These services take up the whole building, and – what a blessing – often overspill into the building next door. Those in Year 6 and older are welcome at the Hall Service, which is a more explanatory service (though not, in itself, a youth service).
Online Resources
If you are looking for more online resources for your young New Londoner, below are some resources we recommend.
PJ Library provides numerous resources for families, including sending free, award-winning Jewish library books in the post.
BimBam provides videos for children explaining the Torah portion, festivals, and other elements of Jewish learning.
Jigzi (Jewish Interactive) provides interactive courses on Hebrew reading, holidays, and texts.
Devash (Hadar) provides weekly magazines based on the Torah portion, aimed at children aged 7+.
If you would like to offer your thoughts, or be more involved, please email youth@newlondon.org.uk.
