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"You shall teach
(Judaism) to your children. You shall speak of it when you get up in the
morning and when you go to bed at night." These words from the Sh'ma
teach us that being Jewish is something that is a part of us every day
and in every way. We are fortunate that we have both informal and formal ways of connecting to Judaism all year long. 1. Attend community-based programs Not only will attending community and Temple programs help your child build a foundation of strong Jewish identity, but these programs are a great way for you as a parent to connect with other families raising Jewish children. Every month we publish up-to-date listings of Jewish programs for families in our community. Further on in the newsletter there will be a listing of what you can look forward to this month. 2. Invite other families over for Shabbat dinner. Getting together on Shabbat is a great way to help families and children connect as you make this evening a special family night. 3. Read Jewish books and play Jewish music. By sharing Jewish music and literature with your children, you are reinforcing their Jewish identity in a way that is fun and natural. Keep a Jewish CD in your car and play holiday music prior to each holiday. Before you know it your child will be singing along, even when the music is not playing. Make every Friday night the night you read a book from their PJ Library collection. Sign up for PJ Library (information listed later on in the newsletter) and receive free Jewish books for your child. Check out Jewish books at your local library. By connecting to Judaism through books, you will be creating a family tradition that will last a lifetime. | ||||
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When you walk up to a
house and see a Mezuzah hanging in the doorway, your immediate reaction is
that this is a Jewish home. A Mezuzah is a daily reminder of Jewish
identity and faith whenever you go through the doorway. Honor a special
occasion in your home by purchasing a Mezuzah for your child's bedroom
door or make a Mezuzah together. You can order a wooden Mezuzah that your
child can paint at http://www.oytoys.com/Pencil-
Mezuzah-Wood-Craft-p/tcc-w818.htm . Inside the Mezuzah is a scroll with the words of the Sh'ma written by hand in Hebrew. You can purchase this scroll locally at Shuki's, 499 Worcester Road, Framingham for $28. If you buy a scroll and another item (they sell Jewish books, toys and beautiful things from Israel) you will receive 10% off whatever else you buy. Hang the Mezuzah low enough that your child can see it when they enter and leave their room. As you enter and leave it is traditional to reach up and touch the Mezuzah and then kiss your hand. It is a way to show your love and respect for God, Torah and the tradition. This link connects you with a multi-media presentation on how to hang a Mezuzah: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/daily_life/Ab out_Jewish_Daily_Life/HomeCommunity/HowTo_Mez uzah.htm | ||
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The experience of
cooking with your child is just as magical as enjoying what you make
together, especially when the recipe you are using has been passed down
from generation to generation. Using a family recipe provides a wonderful
opportunity to talk to children about traditions and memories and can be
another way to create Jewish connection.
Kim Cohen's story: "I never got to meet my mother-in-law because she lost her battle to cancer 3 months before I met my husband. I was able to connect to her and pass down the Jewish traditions that my husband cherishes through her recipes." Grandma Alva's "Healthier" Kugel 12 ounces whole grain egg noodles 4 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup cottage cheese (fat-free or low-fat) 8 oz cream cheese 1 cup sour cream (fat-free or low-fat) 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon salt ¾ cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla Topping: 2 teaspoons cinnamon Frosted flakes crumbled Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9"x13" baking pan. Cook noodles and drain. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix well. Some lumps will remain. Add noodles to mixture and stir. Pour into the pan. In a bowl combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over noodle mixture. Bake 35-40 minutes. | ||
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" I grew up with a
very strong Jewish identity in the Midwest - we kept Kosher in our home,
went to religious school, had very traditional "Friday night dinners"
(challah, wine, special bakery treats and so on!), and were very involved
in our synagogue and Jewish community. As an adult, it is important for me
to create parts of this for myself and my family.
Sometimes it's a challenge - for example, at the end of the week, everyone is tired and it's hard to get that extra energy to go to Friday night "Small World Shabbat" but once we do, it is worth the effort - the kids talk about it during the week and look forward to the next service. Also, our 7-year old would love to sleep in on Sunday mornings instead of getting up for Sunday school. But once she is there, she loves meeting the other kids, learning about the Jewish holidays, the Hebrew alphabet, and more. We try to make holidays fun by celebrating with family and friends and adding stories and crafts to make it more "kid friendly." I also have always enjoyed having a great mix of friends - that always included many Jewish women and Jewish couples. This is a bit more challenging living in Franklin than it has been living other places due to the smaller Jewish population. However, the new CONNECTIONS group is helping to build more of these relationships. At every event I meet more fantastic women living along the 495 belt who are also interested in building relationships with other women and families in the area." - by Natalie Robinson, mother of Lauren and Mia We need your stories! Be a part of Kulanu's Jewish Partners in Parenting by sharing a special story or idea with other parents raising Jewish children. We will be including guest contributors each month. To share your story, contact Kimberly Cohen at Kimberlycohen@comcast.net. Do you have a story about........ Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur; bedtime and other daily rituals; teaching tolerance; your first Jewish memory? | ||
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Finding a Jewish
identity for your family means making connections for yourself. Kulanu
CONNECTIONS is an informal group providing social opportunities to meet
other adults living along the "495 belt" to make connections and build
relationships as part of the larger Jewish community. Events are for
women, couples, and families. Check out the calendar section below for
details about upcoming programs. To be added to the e-vite list contact
Natalie Robinson at nataliedrobinson@comcast.net
or call her at 508- 541- 8895.
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PJ Library is
available to families with young children to help create stronger Jewish
homes - homes that foster children's curiosity about their Jewish heritage
and help families explore their Jewish identity. When you sign up, your
child (ages 6 months to 6 years) receives a high-quality Jewish children's
book or CD every month for one year. To sign up for PJ Library, go to www.pjlibrary.org
and check MetroWest on the registration form.
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Shalom
Yeladim/Hello Children
by Judy Caplan Ginsburgh A must for any Jewish home! Shalom Yeladim contains all of the classic Jewish preschool favorites - both general and holiday songs. This album, winner of a 1994 Parents Choice Silver Honor and a Mazel Tov Award, has been called "The Best Jewish Children's Album of the Decade." Lyrics and translations included. http://www.songsforteaching.com/store/S halom-Yeladim-Hello-Children-Download-p- 3806.html (You can purchase the song and also download it to your mp3 player at this site) | ||
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TEMPLE BETH
TORAH
Registration is now being accepted for Beth Torah Tots, a monthly class for toddlers and preschoolers and their parents. For more information contact Mindee Meltzer at mmeltzer@jfsmw. org. TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM Friday, August 17 - Tot Shabbat, 6:45pm- 7:30pm For more information contact Kimberly Cohen at kimberlycohen@comcast.net. KULANU CONNECTIONS EVENTS: For more information contact Kimberly at Kimberlycohen@comcast.net Book Club August 7 Girls Night Out (GNO) August 14 Couples Night Out (CNO) August 18 Afternoon Out with the Kids, August 23 | ||
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Jewish Family
Service of Metrowest
475 Franklin Street Framingham, MA 01702 508-875-3100 www.jfsmw.org Strengthening Lives, Building Community JFS/MW is a non-profit agency providing social and community services throughout the life cycle for people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds. Temple Etz Chaim 900 Washington Street Franklin, MA 02038 508-528-5337 www.temple- etzchaim.org. Temple Beth Torah 2162 Washington Street Holliston, MA 01746 (508) 429-6268 www.bethtorah.org www.interfaithfamily.com Charles River Hadassah www.charlesriverhadassah.org MetroWest Jewish Day School 29 Upper Joclyn Avenue Framingham, MA 01701 508-620-5554 http:/www.mwjds.org. Metrowest JCC 29 Upper Joclyn Avenue Framingham, MA 01701 Phone: 508-879-3300 www.jccgb.org | ||
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Final Thoughts:
Sincerely,
 Kim, Mindee, and Malka Jewish Family Service of Metrowest email: myoung@jfsmw.org
phone: 508-875-3100
web: http://www.jfsmw.org |
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