Kids have a blast at Ohav Sholom

With local schools closed Monday for the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., many Merrick parents brought their little ones to Congregation Ohav Sholom for a morning of fun and community.

There was a bouncy castle, an obstacle course, arcade games, face-painting, arts and crafts, and free balloons, pizza and hot chocolate. Dozens of families enjoyed the carnival. More than a dozen pizza pies disappeared in no time at all.

The Jewish Family Initiative, a division of the Jewish Heritage Center, which is based in Queens and Hicksville, partnered with Ohav Sholom to plan the party, titled “Winter Wonderland.” JFI Rabbi Yaakov Gruenstein said the initiative’s goal is to offer social and educational programs that bring together Jews of all levels of observance in a judgment-free atmosphere. He and Ohav Sholom Rabbi Ira Ebbin said that JFI and the Merrick synagogue plan to partner again soon for other events.