Va'ad Ha Yeladim Expansion
by Emily Marcovitz

The Vaad Ha Yeladim has been working to provide a more comprehensive childcare plan for our congregation. Some of the things that we have initiated since 2002 have been: a monthly Tot Shabbat program, an educational and enriching High Holy Day program, regular childcare at Shabbat services for the youngest children ages 0-5 and helping with children's programming at the Shabbat seders.

However, there is more that we feel needs to be provided and supported through funding in the budget. We wrote up the following Charge, which the Board approved and incorporated into next year's proposed budget, as a way to clarify for the all of Beit Tikvah exactly what our responsibilities are and how children's programming fits into the larger Beit Tikvah community.

The Charge reads as follows:

1. Organize Tot Shabbat programs geared toward children through age 5.

2. Organize High Holy Days programming for children through age 12.

3. Provide childcare/programming for children ages infant through 10 at Shabbat morning services.

4. Recruit, recommend for hiring, supervise and evaluate childcare workers.

5. Provide children's programming for the Sukkot and Chanukah Shabbat seders.

6. Provide appropriate childcare for children through age 12 at daytime adulteducation programs, special meetings of the congregation and the annual meeting.

7. Develop and manage a budget for childcare and youth programming with approval and on behalf of the Board of the congregation.

8. Communicate regularly with the Beit Tikvah Board, rabbi and appropriate committees (e.g., the school Board, the High Holy Days planning committee, Avodah) to effectively integrate all programs serving Beit Tikvah children.

9. Survey congregation annually to identify needs for childcare and/or youth programming.

The Vaad Ha Yeladim is currently a small committee. To fulfill our expanded mission, we need your help. Please, contact Robin Kantor if you would like to join us. Let us know how you can become involved this year.

In order to improve upon last year's programming, we are asking everyone in the BT community to get involved in some way, whether big or small. We will need help in many areas from leading children's activities, making snacks and lunches, roving to trouble shoot problems, signing children in and lots more!