FAMILY PROGRAMS
The Edlavitch DCJCC FAMILY PROGRAMS are designed with your family in mind. We merge high quality experiential activities with an informal camp-like atmosphere. Dedicated to serving and supporting our diverse community, we create safe space to explore Jewish values amidst the messy, joyful chaos that is raising kids in an urban environment in the modern world. Organized around the Jewish calendar and Shabbat we offer: monthly celebrations, pool parties, carnivals, story time and other kid friendly activities for children aged 2-8. All families are welcome—you don’t have to be Jewish to find a home at the EDCJCC.
Coming up!
Sunday, November 18
EVERYTHING BUT THE TURKEY + PJ LIBRARY FAMILY VOLUNTEERING
Stay tuned for more information and registration for a Thanksgiving family volunteering opportunity.
Upcoming Events
22nd Annual Everything But the Turkey – PJ Library Edition
This Thanksgiving, show your kids the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world) by working together to help those facing hunger and homelessness in our community. Join PJ Library and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington at the Edlavitch DCJCC’s annual Everything But The Turkey (EBTT).
Come for a morning of making healthy snack bags, creating a gift for families in DC shelters and learning during story time. These will connect your children to the Jewish values of gratitude and giving back to those less fortunate. Everything we make will be donated to those in need through DC Central Kitchen.
Pre-registration is required for this program, and we expect it to fill up quickly! We request a $20 per family registration fee to help offset the cost of food and supplies. Please also bring a canned good for every child to make into a fantastic turkey centerpiece. These will also be donated to DC Central Kitchen.
Please note: we will be using products that contain gluten, raisins, and/or dairy. No nut products will be used.
Make Room for Latkes 2018
Chanukah is coming and with it, eight nights of family fun! Join PJ Library, the Edlavitch DCJCC, the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital, Federation’s Jewish Food Experience and the interfaith program, Love and Religion, for hands-on Chanukah activities including crafts, cooking, singing, candle lighting, latkes, a mitzvah (good deed) project and take-home goodies. It’s a perfect morning for Jewish and interfaith families with children ages 2 and older.
Brought to you by PJ Library, the Edlavitch DCJCC, Federation’s Jewish Food Experience®, Love and Religion interfaith programs and Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School.
Sign up by November 30, and it’s just $10. All registrations after November 30 will be $15/family and can be paid at the door.
Hadar’s Winter Learning Seminar is a remarkable opportunity to immerse yourself in 3 days of Jewish study and to explore such questions as: What kind of human beings are we asked to be? What is the relationship between right actions and right intentions? Why is law necessary, but not sufficient to Judaism’s vision of a religious life? Should we assess our leaders primarily by their accomplishments or their character? This program is for adults of all ages who are looking for deep Jewish learning, and we welcome participants from across the denominational spectrum, and from all Jewish educational backgrounds. Learn with members of Hadar’s faculty, including Rabbis Shai Held, Avi Strausberg, and Ethan Tucker!
In addition, we are planning parallel programming for children, led by educators at Milton. Sign up yourself, or bring the whole family!
Co-presented by the Edlavitch DCJCC and Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital
December 25th Day of Service (D25) is the Edlavitch DCJCC’s largest volunteer event of the year. Join over 1,000 volunteers at a social service agency in the metro-DC area to prepare and serve meals, sing carols, visit home-bound seniors, throw holiday parties, play bingo, and deliver holiday cheer to those in need.
This year, while the EDCJCC building is undergoing renovation, the Hyatt Regency will be D25’s home base. Several ways to give back will be available on-site at the Hyatt Regency, including our Winter Blood Drive, making instant meal kits, creating cards for emergency personnel working on Christmas Day, and many others. Registration and check-in will also take place at the Hyatt Regency this year.
Many of the projects are family-friendly – please read individual project descriptions carefully for the minimum age to volunteer at each site.
The Edlavitch DCJCC embraces inclusion in all its programs and activities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all people, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, abilities, or religion, including interfaith couples and families.