(Courtesy of Adath Israel) Dozens of children, women and men turned out this week for Congregation Adath Israel’s inaugural parent-child Sunday Shacharit and breakfast program. The shul, home to more than 100 Hillside families and a hub for Jewish life in Union County, will continue hosting the program monthly in conjunction with Rosh Chodesh.

Brachos and pesukei d’zimrah were conducted by Zev Rosen, 12, and Shacharit was led by Kobi Moradi, 13. Following davening, Zev Rosen, 12, taught everyone the first of the two mishnayos yomi, and Akiva Moradi, 9, covered the second mishnah. In accordance with the six-year Mishna Yomi cycle, the topics from Maseches Pesachim included destruction of chametz and whether work is permitted on Erev Pesach. Just one week before the holiday under discussion, an attendee was heard to remark, “It’s all connected!” Amir Manzon, 11, concluded with a dvar Torah.

Breakfast was served following davening and included plenty of chametz: bagels and doughnuts, along with eggs, assorted spreads and a variety of breakfast beverages. Nina Pinsker, 8, said, “It was good to come for davening and I liked the breakfast.” Sima Juskowicz, also 8, said, “The learning was interesting and the cream-cheese bagel was my favorite.”

Ezer Manzon, event organizer and board member, remarked, “A typical weekday Shacharis can be rushed through while the rest of your family is waiting impatiently at home. We wanted to bring kids of all ages in to shul for a relaxed davening, some learning, and enjoyable family time.”

One woman in attendance said, “I brought my whole family here today because we wanted to see what Daddy’s up to every morning. It’s good for the kids to see tefilla and Torah always at the center of our lives—even on a Sunday.”