# Shalom Families

Shalom Families facilitates and supports social events for parents in Austin. Every month, we organize events at the JCC and in neighborhoods throughout the Greater Austin area. You can go to events in your neighborhood or any other that works for you!

Contact Karin Lester, Young Families and Outreach Coordinator, at 512-735-8008 or karin.lester@shalomaustin.org for the latest calendar of events, social media links, and additional information about young family programming, opportunities to connect, resources, support and to get involved!

# Parenting Programs

**Baby Café**

Are you looking for a baby play date? Now is your chance to sign up! PJ Baby Café play group happens once a week, every week, at different homes around Austin and surrounding areas. For more information email karin.lester@shalomaustin.org.

**Speak and Schmooze**

Speak and Schmooze is a program for parents to talk in a safe and warm environment about a variety of topics such as starting kindergarten, your relationship after having a child, and how to keep Judaism in the household.

**TIME OUT!**

Take a break from the kids for an hour and come meet other parents on Sunday morning! This is a great way to connect with other parents and make new friends.

**Shalom Village**

Shalom Village is a supportive social group for parents with kids the ages 0-12. This is a great way to meet your Jewish Village, especially for first-time parents. For more information contact Karin.lester@shalomaustin.org

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Neighborhood Nosh**

Meeting new people in your local area can be hard sometimes, especially a Jewish family. Neighborhood Nosh is a great way to meet new people in your local neighborhood. Once a quarter we have families volunteer to host a Sunday brunch, in their homes or local parks. Interested in hosting? Call Karin Lester 512-735-8008.

### Shabbat N'Play (**Ages 0-3)**

Fridays | 9:30-11:30 AM  
  
Drop-in playtime at the JCC offers the opportunity for new parents and parents new to Austin to connect with others, and learn about the Jewish parenting community while their children learn, play and make new friends. Join JCC's Early Childhood Program for demo classes, holiday crafts, and parent talks, as well as a weekly Tot Shabbat with blessings and songs led by local clergy and song leaders. Toys and equipment suitable for newborns and toddlers are provided. Free and open to the community. Interfaith families are welcome. Meets at the JCC in Room 150C. For more information, contact the ECP at 512-735-8100.

**Parent Resources  
  
  
PJ Library (Ages 0-8) **

PJ Library books celebrate important aspects of Jewish culture, values and tradition and become cherished bedtime stories. The age appropriate books and CDs are a gift to your children and will be mailed to your home once a month, helping your family develop meaningful connections to Judaism and the community. PJ Library extends beyond your home, with community programs, informative newsletters with activity suggestions, and more. All families raising Jewish children from six months of age through eight years old are welcome to sign up. Register at shalomaustin.org/pjlibrary. 

**PJ Our Way ( Ages 9-11)**

Every month, from the 1st - 10th, kids visit this website to choose a book from a selection of four high-quality titles that have been reviewed by a panel of PJ educators, parents, and kids. That's 12 free books a year! To make the choice easier, every title offered comes with a synopsis and author bios, ratings and reviews, and video trailers. Kids can also take polls and quizzes, participate in monthly interviews and challenges, and comment on blog posts. PJ Our Way offers the gift of exceptional books with Jewish themes to kids ages 9-11 – books that they choose themselves! www.pjourway.org.