Ark Adventures is coming to Boston and Toronto!

THE K'ILU COMPANY EXPANDS INNOVATIVE ARK ADVENTURES PROGRAM TO BOSTON AND TORONTO

Immersive theatrical Shabbat experience for children ages 0-5 launches in two new cities through groundbreaking partnership

Chicago, IL – The K'ilu Company is bringing its acclaimed Ark Adventures program to two new communities through partnerships with First Foundations Jewish Community Preschools in Toronto and Temple Isaiah of Lexington and Temple Shalom of Newton in Greater Boston. Supported by The Covenant Foundation and Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston, the expansion of Ark Adventures will bring this unique and innovative Shabbat experience to thousands of new families in the 2025/2026 year.

"Ark Adventures is the most groundbreaking, innovative family programming I have ever come across," said Alisa Daly, Founder and Executive Director of First Foundations. "At a time when so many young families are craving community and connection, this is absolutely the right project at the right time."

Ark Adventures transforms Shabbat into a multi-sensory journey using live music, puppetry, and theatrical design. In this immersive experience, children and families help build an ark, create a storm, set sail, and celebrate Shabbat together like never before. When the (imaginary) storm clears, a puppet dove returns with the Torah, bringing with it the week's story to explore. Finally, a rainbow welcomes the new week. Ark Adventures was developed in residence and currently runs twice a month at Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook, Illinois. 

"We've seen Ark Adventures deeply impact families in our Chicago community," said Jonathan Shmidt Chapman, Founder & CEO of The K'ilu Company. "We're excited to share this unique experience with many more families through these talented partners in Toronto and Boston." 

The K'ilu team will train educators from each community both in Chicago and on-site in each city. The pilot communities will recruit local artist-educators to lead the program, collaborating with K'ilu on design, artistic development, and family communications.

“Shabbat has never been so playful and full of wonder!” added Becca Yudkoff, Director of Early Childhood Engagement at Temple Shalom and Jolie Helmbrecht, Director of Families with Young Children of Temple Isaiah. “We are so thrilled to bring the magic of Ark Adventures to the Greater Boston Community. We know children and their adults will be captivated & engaged from the first step aboard the Ark.” 

To learn more about this groundbreaking partnership and the Ark Adventures program, visit kilucompany.com/ark.  

ABOUT THE K’ILU COMPANY

The K'ilu Company sparks Jewish discovery in early childhood through immersive theater and imaginative play. K'ilu brings Jewish tradition to life through innovative experiences for families and schools, in-school workshops, theatrical productions, and community programs. The K'ilu Company serves communities nationally by partnering with local federations, JCCs, synagogues, day schools, and pre-schools, as well as national organizations, including ElevatEd, Jewish Grandparents Network, and Paradigm Project.  

ABOUT FIRST FOUNDATIONS

First Foundations Jewish Community Preschools ( FFJCP)  has been servicing young Jewish families in Toronto for 15 years.  Today, we have more than 200 children across two campuses in the Greater Toronto Area.  FFJCP has developed and implemented a cutting-edge model for Jewish preschools of the future. Our successful model is based on modern play-based Jewish learning, extensive teacher training, professionally delivered parent support programs, and family engagement programs in Jewish practice.  In addition to providing preschool programs, FFJCP provides Jewish Teacher Training and Family Programming to other Jewish preschools and synagogues in Toronto. 

ABOUT TEMPLE ISAIAH

Located in historic Lexington, Massachusetts, Temple Isaiah is a thriving Reform congregation comprised of over 700 households that represent 58 neighboring towns. A diverse and welcoming community, Temple Isaiah is committed to building connection, lifelong learning, personal growth, and action inspired by Judaism. This innovative and relationship-centered congregation offers a broad spectrum of engaging and enriching experiences to people of every age, stage, and background. It is a community of intellectually curious, justice-driven, and open-hearted seekers that come together to grow, learn, connect, and to make our world a better place. 

ABOUT TEMPLE SHALOM OF NEWTON

Temple Shalom of Newton, a Reform congregation affiliated with the Union of Reform Judaism, is a warm and inclusive community dedicated to fostering a deep and lasting connection to Judaism. We offer meaningful worship experiences, robust adult learning opportunities, hands-on social justice initiatives, and exceptional education for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. At Temple Shalom, we believe that a vibrant Jewish community is built on learning, spirituality, and a commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world). Rooted in the values of connection, inclusivity, and care for one another, we create a sacred space where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by tradition and open to innovation, we inspire engagement in Jewish life through worship, education, and community-building. Whether you are seeking spiritual fulfillment, lifelong learning, or a welcoming community, Temple Shalom is a place to call home.

ABOUT CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM 

Congregation Beth Shalom, the spiritual home to more than 950 families, is one of the largest Conservative synagogues in Chicago’s northern suburbs. We seek to enrich the lives of our members and community through ever-evolving ideals of observance, life-long learning, prayer, and acts of justice and loving kindness. We create a sense of belonging by offering a thriving Religious School, youth programming for ages birth through high school, a full array of adult education, and in the fall of 2025 will open a unique Jewish after school program for K-5 th grade. We are a strong and diverse congregation and think of ourselves as a large family and a place people comfortably call their “home away from home.