BAI Tots is the perfect introduction to Jewish life through hands-on exploration, play, and community building. Geared towards children ages 5 and under and their caregivers, BAI Tots is a FREE, outdoor, family-centered program rooted in Jewish values and held in our Ya’ar (Woodlands). Gatherings include nature-based projects like building bird feeders and planting trees, circle time filled with joyful stories and songs, time to meet new friends, explore the outdoors, and enjoy a snack. BAI Tots gathers together for Nitzanim, Shabbat Pizza Playdates, and Tot Shabbat.
Nitzanim: Holiday Crafternoons
Select Sunday afternoons from 3:00-4:00pm
Through experiential outdoor learning, children develop curiosity, confidence, and a sense of belonging. The curriculum explores core Jewish holidays and values across the seasons, allowing children to connect Jewish ideas to their lived experiences in nature.
2026-2027 Schedule:
Fall: September 27, October 25, November 22, and December 6
Winter: January 18 and January 24
Spring: March 21, April 19, and May 9
Shabbat Pizza Playdates
Friday afternoons from 3:00-6:00pm
Welcome Shabbat with songs, stories, a nature walk, flower arranging, and time for free play and socializing with friends over pizza. This program was designed to nurture community, spark wonder, and help families grow their Jewish roots together.
2026-2027 Schedule:
Fall: September 25-December 4
Winter/Spring: January 8-May 21
Tot Shabbat
Monthly on Saturday Mornings from 11:15-11:45am
Tot Shabbat is the perfect first step into Jewish community and celebration – with fun, music, and friends! Integrating singing, dancing, puppets and storytelling, Hazzan Harold brings Shabbat to life in an age-appropriate and playful way. After the short service, families can enjoy grape juice and challah while socializing with our community of young families.
Fall 2026 Schedule:
September 26, October 24, November 14, and December 12
Contact our Education Director Liat Rosov at 610-667-1651 or education@bethamisrael.org to learn more about our BAI Tots program.
Meet our BAI Tots Coordinator Gael Levin-Simon:
“BAI Tots creates a space where friendships grow and relationships deepen between children, parents, grandparents, and staff. The joy of hearing a four-year old say, ‘I should have brought my walking stick!’ or seeing photos of home projects inspired by our programs reflects the lasting impact of these experiences.”
I’m an educator, parent coach, and nature-craft lover. My first career was an educational content developer in children’s media. After more than 20 years, I decided I’d rather create programming for kids and parents that was hands-on, local, playful, and sustainable. This led me to Jewish early childhood programming that is so beshert (meant to be) because one of my favorite things to do is connect creatively with kids and families around Jewish values. I truly enjoy the BAI community and look forward to meeting you if we haven’t already!
Don’t Take Our Word For It – Here’s what some of our families have said about BAI Tots:
“BAI Tots is not just a space for your child to explore nature while bonding with their family members and each other, but the structure…allows for them to interlace a beautiful sensory experience with music, crafts, and stories with underlying themes of community, courage, and Tikkun Olam. I was touched when my 4 year old held up her hands and did the sign for “Ometz Lev” (courage of the heart), and I loved how even rain couldn’t ruin the hour, as we just finished off one of the sessions with an impromptu drum and guitar jam session.”
“BAI Tots has been an opportunity for my child to see that learning can be done together as a family and with other families. It’s an opportunity to see that Jewish learning can happen outside the walls of a shul and can be messy, daring, and fun. He’s loved it.”
About Our Ya’ar (Woodlands)
BAI is fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful woodlands, or a ya’ar in Hebrew. We take our stewardship of the earth seriously, as reflected in the design, creation, and maintenance of an indigenous natural habitat. This curated outdoor space allows for our members to explore their spirituality and our children to experience outdoor Jewish learning through our Jewish by Nature education program.
Working with the student leaders of our Jewish Youth Climate Movement, we created a space that includes a pollinator garden — planted in memory of Pecki Witonsky — which is also a certified way-station along the Monarch Migration Trail. In addition, BAI is proud to be a certified wildlife habitat, providing food, water and shelter for local wildlife.
