Har Shalom in Potomac. Very active programming for young kids.

http://harshalom.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Keshet-Kids-2013.pdf

Women are part of minyan and can read torah.

We have a few friends who go to B'nai with 3 kids in 3 different age groups for services. They will have 1 parent go to the 3-7th grade service and 1 parent go the Tot service and the middle child chooses which service to attend- usually ending up in Tots. Would your 6 year old be willing to go to the younger service?

Maybe find a friendly mom with a similar aged child willing to keep an eye on one of your children. I'm sure many people would be willing to help you out- especially since you are in the same building if there is a problem.

I don't think you will find a perfect match for all your criteria. There's also Kol Shalom, but the kids programming is week.. I know they are looking to develop it. Perhaps you could be the person to help with that. They are very open to what their congregants want.

We go to Kemp Mill synagogue and the childrens programming is great but it is an orthodox shul and there is separate seating and women do not read torah or lead prayers. There is a women's prayer group that meets once a month and on some holidays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kemp Mill Synogogue in Silver Spring

Thank you for the suggestion. The children's programming is exactly what I'm looking for. The website says the shul is MO. My issue with Chabad and Beth Shalom is that women cannot read torah from the bima on shabbat. How does KMS handle this?

My understanding is that at KMS women can not read from the Torah. I know exactly the type of environment you are looking for, which ideologically would fit with a place like B'nai or Beth El, but unfortunately, does not fit the needs you have for kids. You might need to compromise on something, unfortunately.

Anonymous wrote:Kemp Mill Synogogue in Silver Spring

Thank you for the suggestion. The children's programming is exactly what I'm looking for. The website says the shul is MO. My issue with Chabad and Beth Shalom is that women cannot read torah from the bima on shabbat. How does KMS handle this?

Kemp Mill Synogogue in Silver Spring

I just moved to the area and am looking for a Shul. I am a single mom and have my kids full time. I am looking for a place where we all can daven on Shabbat. My children are 3 and 6. My youngest does best in drop off environments. If I am in the room, he tends to not pay attention to the teacher. He will be attending the JCC preschool next year. For Shabbat, I am looking for something beyond a holiday story, marching with the Torah, the blessings and snack. Ideally, there would be a parsha discussion geared for the preschool set. My daughter will be attending Day school next year. Again, I am looking for a Shabbat service for her that will reinforce and compliment what she will be learning. I would like both of the children to attend programming each week. For me, as long as my kids are happy, I can handle a big/small Shul, political/non political environment, etc. what matters most to me is an engaging, comprehensive children's Shabbat environment.

I've visited Ohr Kodesh. The babysitting for my younger child is fine but I found the Shabbat groups to be lacking in substance and teaching. I've been to Bnai Israel but Torah tots and mini minyan occur at the same time. My 3 yr old can't go to Torah tots without me and most children seem to have their parents with them of mini minyan. I can't be in 2 places at once. My 3 yr old will not sit through mini minyan-- even if I bring quiet toys for him.

I've looked into Beth El and Tikvat Israel but neither seem to offer consistent children's services. They seem to be once or twice a month.

I don't want to drive into DC. I've also looked at Beth Shalom and Chabad. Both offer the programming I'm looking for but I can't seem to get past the separate but equal concept.

Can you recommend a Shul for me to take a look at?