Give the Children a Chance

You're probably not going to believe this, but unfortunately it's true. A friend of mine once brought his little boy to shul on Shabbos morning. This shul is renowned as a "community" center for "Torah" and "prayer." His son was excited to be there and took special interest in the shaliach tzibur (prayer leader). However, during the prayer service, one of the gabbaim (officiators) approached him and requested that he not bring his son to shul, as "this is not a place for kids." So he started davening at my shul and that's how we met.
Parshas Nitzavim features the awesome event where Moshe, on the final day of his life, brings the Jewish people into a new covenant - one that would make us responsible for each other for all generations. This was a very serious event, and all were required to attend - even the children. Even the children? But wouldn't they be a distraction? Just picture it; children running down the isles, climbing on seats, fighting with their siblings - were there no babysitters in those days? Surely they'd make noise! Nonetheless, we were told to bring them. The Talmud says even children too young to know what was going on had to be there, and the reason was in order to benefit the parents! Tosefos learns that this is the reason why people bring their little children to shul, because there's something in it for the parents (Chagiga).
Apparently, the gabbai in the above mentioned incident missed this lesson. A shul is meant to be a place where we come into contact with kedusha - holiness, and that contact can shape our children's lives, it can direct them and connect them to the beauty of Judaism. Of course responsibility is required, but it's a Jewish parent's obligation to give his children that opportunity.
Best wishes to all for a happy, sweet new year.