Children in the Sanctuary

SANCTUARY GUIDELINES AT TBZ FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN

TBZ WELCOMES FAMILIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN TO SERVICES.

We welcome the sounds and songs of infants, toddlers, and young ones in our services.  There are times though, when the community requires quiet and calm in the Sanctuary for prayer and reflection.  In this way we teach our children to respect prayer and community, and teach our community that our children are our present and future.

Please explain to your child that in the Sanctuary we talk softly and do not run or jump, to show respect to others and give everyone the opportunity to pray.  During services, children should not climb or play on the bimah stairs.  Children may come and sit on the bimah when the Rabbis invite them to do so.

Electronic and battery-operated toys, writing and drawing are not allowed in the Sanctuary. Feel free to bring quiet toys, books and stickers to the Sanctuary so children can play and read quietly during the service.

Please take your child out of the Sanctuary if your child is restless or crying while someone is chanting Torah and Haphtarah, giving a D’var Torah, during silent meditation time or Mourners Kaddish.  Please use your best discretion as to other times when it is appropriate to go outside with your children.

If you need to bring your child out of the Sanctuary, please feel free to use the 3rd floor where there is space to play.  Parents can hear the services on the speakers in the large 3rd Floor classroom.

Snacks:  We would prefer that you not bring snacks into the Sanctuary. If you need to, please bring snacks in a closed bag or container and supervise your child to prevent spills on the chairs or rug. Please bring drinks only in sippy cups or bottles, as juice boxes often leak or spill.

Please make sure that you know where your child is when he or she leaves the sanctuary.  Children under age 10 should not leave the Sanctuary without adequate supervision.  Please also remember that our older children (teen and pre-teen) may need to be reminded about proper behavior outside of the Sanctuary as well.

We look forward to joining together for Kiddush and Oneg each week. To make sure that all can enjoy our beautiful meals, we ask that children (and adults) remain outside the Community Room and the kitchen while Kiddush and Oneg are being prepared.  Please do not start eating until the blessings are said. This is the way that we teach our children about the kavanah of food and community.

At TBZ our kavanah is respect for each other, our food, and our environment.  At Kiddush and Oneg we ask that you help teach your children to take only what they need, to keep our indoor and outdoor spaces clean, and to help dispose of trash in our recycling bins.