Like many of you, we are an interfaith family – with a rare opportunity this year to weave together our traditions. Hanukkah begins on December 22. When we gather this year, we hope to be together for several nights of Hanukkah, including Christmas. But we want to downplay the gifts. SO – we will follow my daughter’s lead and create themed nights, as they do when they are home for Hanukkah. Games night. Books night. Outside exploring night. And while we have all decided to limit gifts to one per child, we want them to understand the pleasure of giving to others, too. My hope … [Read more...]
Save Recyclables Now for Hanukkah Crafting
Countdown - 45 days till Hanukkah! Thanks to this great post from creativejewishmom.com, I can share with you her reminder to start saving your recyclables now to make all kinds of fun Hanukkah crafts. It was definitely a wake up call for me! So here’s what she recommends holding onto: Cereal boxes to make gift packages – I would never have thought of that! What a great idea. Aluminum foil boxes and tubes to make Hanukkah menorahs. Toilet paper tubes – also to make Hanukkah menorahs. Milk cartons - to make gift packages and more. Again, I never would have … [Read more...]
Countdown to Rosh Hashanah – 24 Days!
We are now just 24 days from Rosh Hashanah! If you like to have at-home fun with your kiddoes for the holiday, here are three easy ways to start planning: #1 Make Jewish New Year Cards with your kids Get a FREE download to do this here. #2 Browse Pinterest for cooking and craft ideas Check out our Rosh Hashanah PINTEREST page. #3 Buy a Rosh Hashanah Bingo game Help your kids (ages 2+) understand all the Rosh Hashanah symbols in a fun, quick-paced game, perfect even for pre-readers. Click here to download your copy. More ideas coming next week! … [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...]
Rosie Revere Engineer – #JewishBookFun4Kids – #4
Rosie Revere Engineer, written by Andrea Beauty and illustrated by David Roberts, was totally new to me, until our reading specialist daughter mentioned it. And now, I’m crazy about it. It’s written in comfortable verse (not forced, not over simplified). “This is the story of Rosie Revere, who dreamed of becoming a great engineer.” Little Rosie wants to build amazing things. So during the day, she looks in the trash for bits and pieces she can use in her creations. At night, she makes “gadgets and gizmos,” which she tucks under her bed, so that no one will see … [Read more...]