Jewish Family Service of Metrowest
Kulanu - Jewish Partners in Parenting
July 2007
In This Issue
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Greetings,

Tikkun Olam - We hear this phrase a lot, but what does it really mean? Tikkun Olam ( literally "repairing the world" in Hebrew) is understood as all the things we do to make the world a better place. Gemilut Chasadim (Hebrew for "acts of lovingkindness") refers to the things we do for individuals to help them. We are taught that it is our obligation to do these actions that make the world a better place for others. How do we teach this to our children? This month, Jewish Partners in Parenting shares ways to model these values for our children as we incorporate these commandments into our everyday lives.

Anne Frank
"How wonderful it is that nobody need to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank
Anne Frank reminds us that even children are able to perform acts of Tikkun Olam. If we look for opportunities to include our children in helping other people from the youngest age we increase the chance that this value will be a part of them as they grow older. Many youth today participate in a Mitzvah project (community service) as part of their preparation to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. At age 13, they publicly acknowledge the importance of taking on the responsibilities of being an adult Jew, including the responsibility of Tikkun Olam. We cannot wait until our children are preparing for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. We have been reading to our children since they were infants even though we don't expect them to read until they are older. As parents, it is our responsibility to integrate the values of improving the world into our children's lives from the beginning.
repair the world
Each day, we are faced with many opportunities to perform acts of lovingkindness, teaching our children values of caring and helping. When we open a door for someone or when we smile at a stranger, we show our children that we value caring and helping behaviors. By incorporating other acts of Tikkun Olam into our everyday life, we can confirm the importance of helping others. Here are a few ideas.

1. Set up a Tzedakah box. (A container to collect money to be given to charity - directions below) At the end of each day, put your loose change into this box. Each month choose a charity and donate the money. Research the charity with your children, so they understand how they are helping others. Let us know what charity you and your family chose and why and we will publish it in our future newsletters. Send us a picture of your child adding to your tzedakah box.

2. Buy or collect food for a local food pantry. Call first and find out what they need. Have your children bring the food to the pantry and have a discussion about why people need the pantry. A few pantries in your area include:
a. Lucy and Joe's Food Pantry for frail elders, Jewish Family Service of Metrowest, 475 Franklin Street, Suite 101, Framingham, 508-875- 3100
b. Holliston Food Shelf, 23 Water Street, Holliston 508-429-5392
c. Franklin Food Pantry, 80 West Central Street, Franklin 508-528-3115

3. At each birthday have your child think about giving a gift as well as receiving one. Let him or her choose a birthday toy for a child that may not get presents on their birthday. Choose one night of Chanukah where everyone gives a gift to charity. Make this a yearly tradition.
Tzedakah box
Materials
1. An empty can with a plastic lid (coffee can, bread crumbs can, etc.)
2. scissors
3. construction paper
4. crayons, markers, paint
5. stickers

Mom or Dad cuts out a hole in the top of the plastic lid. The hole should be large enough to pass money through. Measure a piece of construction paper and cut the paper, so it wraps neatly around the can. Decorate the paper with markers, paint, and/or stickers. Be sure to include the phase, "The ___ Family Tzedakah Box." Wrap the decorated paper around the can, securing it with glue or tape. Place the can in a prominent area for deposits.

kid with chef hat
What's for dinner tonight? Make it a double! Cook a meal for you and one for someone else. Store the second meal in your freezer, so the next time someone has a baby, a new neighbor moves in down the street, or someone you know is sick or maybe just having a hard time, you will be ready.
A Place To Share- July
We make meals for moms in need in our community and as a way to support our local Mom's Club chapter. The boys are a bit young to actually help with the cooking but we discuss how it is important to "help" others and to be kind. They go with me to do the meal delivery and we usually make a card for the family that the boys decorate.
The boys also have a very ill grandmother so once a month or for any sort of holiday we put together a care package for her and mail it to Kansas City, where she lives. We include photos of the boys, special treats, cards and other fun items to help her celebrate the holidays. We go shopping together to get all of the ingredients and they love filling the box with the goodies and decorating the cards and notes. They also love taking the box to the post office.
These are very simple acts but I think it is something the boys already understand. We want the boys to understand that it is important to give to others and to be thoughtful.
The Morandi Family- Deb, Jeff, Hayden and Dylan
moms
Kulanu CONNECTIONS provides social opportunities to meet other dynamic women living along the "495 belt" to make connections and build relationships as part of the larger Jewish community. For a copy of the July/August calendar or more information contact Natalie Robinson at nataliedrobinson@comcast.net 508-541-8895.
pjlibrary2
PJ Library is a program of Jewish Family Service of Metrowest. 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 (aged birth to 6 years) will receive a high-quality Jewish children's book or CD every month for one year. Each book comes with resources to help you use that month's selection in your home. At this time, Kulanu has filled our allotted spots, however, more spots will soon be available. To get on the waiting list for PJ Library, please go to www.pjlibrary.org and check Metrowest on the registration form.
book - July
Jewish Family and Life: Traditions, Holidays, and Values for Today's Parents and Children
The book's three parts--Traditions, Holidays and Values--investigate contemporary issues in raising children and show concrete ways in which Judaism can play a practical role in enriching your family's spiritual and moral life. Each chapter includes lively, hands-on activities that you can do with your kids and simultaneously teach vital cultural and religious values.
guitar guy with kids
TEMPLE BETH TORAH
For more information contact Mindee Meltzer at mmeltzer@jfsmw. org.

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM
Saturday, July 21 - Tot Shabbat, 9:15am - 10:00 am
Friday, August 17 - Tot Shabbat, 6:45pm- 7:30pm
For more information contact Kimberly Cohen at kimberlycohen@comcast.net.

KULANU CONNECTIONS EVENTS:

GIRLS NIGHT OUT (GNO)
Monday, July 23 - 7:30 pm at the restaurant 3 in Franklin
Sample the newest hot spot in Franklin. RSPV via e- vite.
Hostess - Kimberly Cohen kimberlycohen@comcast.net

FAMILY NATURE ADVENTURE
Sunday, July 29th from 10:00-12:00.
Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
108 North Street, Norfolk MA 02056
508-528-3140
stonybrook@massaudubon.org
Hostess - Kristine Perlmutter kristineperlmutter@hotmail.com
Enjoy a morning of nature crafts, songs, stories, and a relaxing walk through the wildlife sanctuary. The cost is free for Massachusetts Audubon Society Members (family membership is $58). For non-Audubon members the cost is $4 for adults and $3 for children. Please go to the Stony Brook website for more information. RSVP via e-vite.

KULANU CONNECTIONS BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, August 7, at 7:30 pm at the Black Cow Ice Cream Shop in Millis.
Hostess - Debbie Morandi
Come and join in on the discussion of the book Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. RSPV to Debbie Morandi at jethro2@comcast.net. There will not be an e-vite for this event.
If you are interested in joining the book club but can't do Tuesday nights, contact Kimberly Cohen at kimberlycohen@comcast.net to get your name added to the list for a second book club.

COUPLES NIGHT OUT
Saturday, August 18 at 7:30 pm at Stoneforge in Foxboro
Hostess - Mindee Meltzer
RSVP via e-vite.

DAY OUT WITH THE KIDS
August 23 at 3:30 pm at Spruce Pond Creamery
Hostess - Natalie Robinson
Enjoy ice cream with other moms and kids
RSVP via e-vite
tots/moms

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
www.mwjds.org

Metrowest JCC
29 Upper Joclyn Avenue
Framingham, MA 01701
Phone: 508-879-3300
www.jccgb.org

"And you shall teach them diligently unto your children"
- The Torah

It was not so long ago that we were children ourselves. Who ever thought that being a parent would be so complicated, but so important! Since children don't come with instructions (though we often wish they did), it is a relief to know that there is support and guidance as we make decisions about the values and lessons we teach our children. Being part of a community means we are not alone as we raise our children together.

Wishing you a good summer.

Sincerely,

 4 logos
Kim, Mindee and Malka
Jewish Family Service of Metrowest

phone: 508-875-3100