By Sheli Atara Man
Chabad Lubavitch of Brooklyn Heights celebrated Shabbat in the Pierrepont park in Downtown Brooklyn once again for the first time after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Program called YoShaba Shaba is a project of Gan Menachem Kiddie Korner Daycare and Preschool founded and directed by Shternie Raskin.
“I couldn’t believe the amount of phone calls we received today in my office asking if the program is really happening in the park,” reports Shternie Raskin. “Everyone was eager to celebrate Shabbat, sing along with our musician Kyle Tigges and read a story with our outreach director, Morah Sheli. We gave out free Challah, bubbles, chalk, brochures and colorful baloons. Everyone was super excited to see the program back.”
“It’s very rewarding to see the recognition of Shabbat among the local community and the excitement of the children when they receive a soft fresh Challah at the end of the program. The children make it all worthwhile and bring all of us much joy and unity,” says Sheli A. Man (Morah Sheli).
Many families at Kiddie Korner were initially connected to the preschool through the YoShaba Shaba program, which ran out of the Kiddie Korner building located at 117 Remsen St. The program has been very successful and attracts both Kiddie Korner families as well as other local families who come to join even if not affiliated with the Chabad and the Preschool.
The Chabad of Brooklyn Heights also offers a very beautiful Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation morning program for young children ages 2-5yrs and 6-11yrs between the hours of 10am-12pm every Shabbat Morning at 117 Remsen St. brownstone building.
Kiddie Korner currently has two sites both located in Downtown Brooklyn for children ages 0-2yrs and 2-5yrs.
YoShaba Shaba, has been our most effective program in attracting new families to the Preschool and the Chabad at large. I hope that now that the community has started to open up and that many got vaccinated we will be able to resume such programs and bring hope and liveliness back to Downtown Brooklyn says Shternie Raskin.
To find out more information please about our programs visit- Heightschabad.org or call (718) 596-4840.
