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Youth & Family Engagement

Select Upcoming Programs

Below are just a few of our exciting events. For a complete list of all upcoming programs, please see our calendar.

Downtown Shabbat Central

Fridays, November 1 and December 6, 4:45–5:45 pm

Union Square Play or Hebrew Union College

Shabbat Central

Saturdays, September 21, November 2, December 7, January 11, March 1, April 5, May 31, 10:00–11:00 am

In Person | Lese Lobby

Downtown Havdalah & Chanukah Celebration (ages 0–12)

Saturday, December 14, 5:15–6:15 pm (ages 0–5) | 6:00–8:00 pm (ages 6–12)

Hebrew Union College (1 West 4th Street)

Festival of Light: A Chanukah Celebration for Families (grades K–5)

Sunday, December 15, 10:00 am–12:00 pm

Community House

Shabbat Central

Fridays, September 6, November 22, January 31, March 21, May 2, 5:00–6:00 pm

In Person | Lese Lobby

Downtown Shabbat Central

Various Saturdays, 10:00–11:00 am

Union Square Play or Hebrew Union College

Our Mission

Family Engagement at Central Synagogue serves families with children from birth through age 22. Our programs facilitate Jewish experiences and inspire families from all backgrounds to seek out and create their own points of Jewish connection, both individually and together as a family.

Just as we acknowledge that each family is unique, we recognize that engagement in Jewish life is not one-size-fits-all and are committed to family programming that is inclusive, accessible, and fun. By creating welcoming, immersive, and diverse programs that transcend the physical walls of our synagogue, Family Engagement brings Jewish values to life, both in the home and in the larger world, and furthers the path of lifelong learning for each individual. 

Through participation in the community, our families create deep and lasting bonds both here at Central and beyond.


Our People

Rebecca Rosenthal

Rabbi, Senior Director of Youth & Family Education

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(212) 838-5122 x4031

Mikah Silverstone

Director of the Lese Center for Living Judaism

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(212) 838-5122 x4043

Cindy Grebow

Director of Early Childhood Education

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(212) 838-5122 x4001

Shira Kobren Wasserman

Director of Family Engagement & Central Tots

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(212) 838-5122 x3041

Rina Bergman

Director of Downtown Programming

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(212) 838-5122 x4271

Rena Allen

Director of Developmental Learning & Special Education

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(212) 838-5122 x4044