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...]
TaDa – How to Make a Dreidel Cake
Is a dreidel cake better than any other Hanukkah treat? Not really, but . . . I love all kinds of desserts for Hanukkah – from the cookies I made when I was a kid and that I made with our girls and our niece (with cookie cutters and colored sugar) to jelly-filled doughnuts to chocolate gelt. But there is something truly festive about a cake for a family gathering. This year, why not try making a dreidel-shaped cake? You can use a simple box mix and bake it in a 9” x 13” x 2” pan. Dreidel Cake Directions Cut 2 triangles off the bottom. Then place the … [Read more...]
Great Excuse for a Bonfire – Lag B’Omer
Celebrating Lag B’Omer – think bonfires, picnics, ball games, and roasting marshmallows – reminds me of my happy places and might be perfect for your family, too. For me, it’s a (giant) step back to some of my favorite activities as a kid. As a young teen, I attended Jewish summer camps where the magic of nature was truly the major part of our experience. On Saturday nights at Tel Yehudah in upstate New York, we walked to a clearing in the woods where a huge bonfire was lit. Flames shot straight up into the black night sky and the crackling sound of the wood, along with the singing and … [Read more...]
25% off + The Seder That Was
So how was your Passover Seder – or both of your Sedarim? And what were your Seder discoveries this year? We had a blast. When you have a 5-year-old, 7-year-old, and 9-year-old, along with a teenager and various cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, how can you not have a great time?! Passover Play - Coming 2020 For next year, I hope to share the Passover play that we’ve done every year – with modifications – for the last five years. We all get up from the table as we begin the Maggid (telling) portion of the Seder, moving from “Egypt” to “Midian” to “Egypt” to the desert – through … [Read more...]
Thanks! 50% Off Coupon for You!
First, thanks to those of you who responded so positively to our announcement that we are going digital! It warmed our hearts – and let us know that we are making the right decision. We Love You, Too! “I have used your awesome teaching in our small congregations with children in preschool and elementary school. We so enjoyed your easy-to-follow materials! They had such fun that they were happy learning, so that as we sat together, they explained to their parents what was going to happen!” Margaret from the United States “I am so excited to hear that you are going digital! I teach a World … [Read more...]