Congregation Adath Israel of Newtown is introducing Shabbat Before Bedtime, an early Sabbath service geared to families with young children. The first offering of the service will be on Friday, April 7, at 6 pm.

Families with young children as well as the young-at-heart are invited by members of Adath Israel for a joyous, lively, percussion and dance-filled 45 minutes that will welcome Shabbat.

Shabbat Before Bedtime is open to the whole Newtown community, as well as families in neighboring towns. Interfaith families are always welcome at Congregation Adath Israel.

Service highlights will include lighting the Shabbat candles, reciting a traditional blessing over children, and parading from the sanctuary into the social hall, where all guests will sing the traditional Kiddush blessing over grape juice, say the Motzi (blessing over challah), and enjoy a few extra treats.

A traditional Kabbalat Shabbat service will follow at 7:30.

Congregation Adath Israel is at 115 Huntingtown Road. For additional information, call the synagogue at 203-426-5188.

Special Event April 2: 'Forgotten Heroes'

In addition to the new service, Congregation Adath Israel will be hosting a special event on April 2.

Members of the synagogue are inviting area residents and those in surrounding communities to join then on Sunday at 2 pm, for a talk, along with highlights from the documentary My Italian Secret: The Forgotten Heroes, about Italians who were instrumental in saving many innocent lives during the Holocaust.

Vincent Marmorale, president of the Italy and the Holocaust, Inc Foundation for My Italian Secret, will be speaking and presenting a portion of the documentary.

My Italian Secret captures the story of Italians, including Gino Bartali, the famous cycling champion, who defied the Nazis and Fascists to hide, rescue, and protect thousands of innocent Jewish people and others in Italy during the Holocaust. The film is narrated by Isabella Rossellini with Robert Loggia as the voice of Gino Bartali.

Light refreshments will be served. The event is free, although donations will be accepted. Copies of the documentary on DVD will be available for purchase. It can also be seen on Netflix.

For additional information about this program, send e-mail to Jodi Markowsky at programs@congadathisrael.org.

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