While most of us will not have the comfort and company of our family and friends around our Passover Seder tables this year, there is still much we can do to celebrate – including via online platforms like Zoom. But even if you are having a small, just-your-family-around-the-table Seder, let this be a year to celebrate joyfully – and simply. (Our mini-survey on Facebook, by the way, showed that 100% of respondents plan to be at home with just their in-home families.) To help you, we are making all four of our Passover resources available to you at no cost. Passover Seder … [Read more...]
Rosh Hashanah Fun at Home
I feel lucky to live close to a synagogue, because I like the "special" on Rosh Hashanah. I like to hear the blasts of the Shofar. I like to see the Torah scrolls dressed in white. But I know that not everyone has this privilege. Regardless of whether you "Temple" or not, I believe that there are many, many ways to celebrate the Jewish New Year with joy. Food for the new year If you assume that three core concepts for Rosh Hashanah with young children are “round,” “sweet,” and “new,” come up with menus that emphasize those ideas. Think cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, little round … [Read more...]
How to Have a Fun Rosh Hashanah Dinner
If synagogue services are part of your Rosh Hashanah experience, you will have plenty of visual and auditory drama. The sound of the Shofar blast. The Torah scrolls dressed in white. The pews filled to capacity. New this year! Downloadable Rosh Hashanah Bingo Game - great fun for 2-year-olds to grandparents! You can also make your Rosh Hashanah dinner at home full of spectacle - and fun. Shofar blowing For the past several years, we have been using Bugles as pretend shofars (shofrot). Each year, our daughter gives us all a quick refresher on each type of shofar blast, then calls out for … [Read more...]
The Dot - #JewishBookFun4Kids - #6
The Dot, written by Peter H. Reynolds, was a discovery for me that sparked an instant passion. Thanks to our reading specialist daughter, Laura Pajor, for knowing that I’d totally groove on the idea. And I’ve been saving it to share until before Rosh Hashanah, because there’s a great tie-in with the holiday. In this story, little Vashti was sitting glumly in art class, with a blank sheet of paper in front of her. She was sure that she could not draw. At first, her teacher tried to jolly her along. Then she said something that made all the difference: “Just make a mark and see where it … [Read more...]
5 Fun Kitchen Activities for a Summer Shabbat
About this time of the summer, you start seeing articles about how to help your child hang onto math and reading skills over the hot, lazy months. Spending time in the kitchen is the perfect solution. Here are five fun kitchen activiites, perfect for a summer Shabbat. I’m with Grandma’s Briefs blogger Lisa about all the wonderful reasons to bake with your children or grandkids -- from reading recipes to measuring to learning fractions to sequencing. Of her eight top reasons to encourage kitchen time together, my three favorites are: Encourages creativity Fun for different ages to … [Read more...]
