Families Just Like Yours

When we here at jkidphilly publicize our programs, we add the tag line "for families just like yours." We hope that message lets everyone in the Jewish community know that wherever you are in your Jewish observance and whatever your family make-up looks like, we welcome you.
We really get that there is no "one size fits all" for contemporary Jewish families and in fact, the diversity of who Jewish families  today brings a richness to our community.
Take my family, for example. I am a middle child, with an older sister and younger brother. We all grew up with the same two Jewish parents, but as adults, each of our families looks quite different from the others (I joke that we could be a great source for another "Modern Family" series). My older sister married an Israeli citizen who has made the US his home for the last twenty years, and their family of three boys echoes two languages and great Israeli food.
My younger brother is married to a woman who grew up not identified with a religion, as her mom had left the Mormon church that she had grown up in. My sister-in-law has always been eager to learn about Judaism and take part in holiday rituals (she makes an incredible charoset), but has not chosen to convert to Judaism. Together, she and my brother have chosen to raise their young daughter as Jewish and although they are not connected to a synagogue community right now, they love finding ways to do Jewish things together. For example, my sister-in-law invited my niece's two-year-old friends over at Purim time for a make your own hamantashen party!
On the surface, my  husband and I might look like the least complicated pair since we each group in Jewish homes here in the US. But our backgrounds (mine Reform, his Conservative), have also lead us to navigate differences and find creative ways to express what being part of a Jewish home means to each of us. Although my husband identifies as culturally Jewish, he has been a practicing Buddhist for twenty years, and that practice inspires his faith. We are the parents of two great children, including a nine-year-old son who has autism. The experience of parenting a child with a disability has also inspired us to seek out Jewish community for support and connection and experiencing tradition through our children's eyes has re-connected each of us to the joy of  simple rituals like lighting Shabbat candles together.
This tells you just a little bit about my family--and I will share more stories as I blog here at jkidphilly this year. I would love to hear about your Jewish family and learn about what helps you create a Jewish home and community.
And please remember--our jkidphilly programs are for families just like yours!

Family Celebrations for July 4th

Family Celebrations for July 4th

What are your plans for the 4th of July? While American Independence Day is not technically a Jewish holiday, it's a day that emphasizes important values, including freedom and independence, that we can connect to our experience of being Jewish. Here are a few ways to think about connecting to July 4th in a Jewish way:

• Explaining Freedom: How do you explain the concept of "freedom" to a young child? We try to explain it every year when we sit down for our seder at Passover. Take out some of your favorite Passover books (such as "Nachson Who Was Afraid to Swim" )and remind your child about how the Jewish people could not be free until they left Egypt. It draws a great parallel to why the early settlers of our country came here in search of freedom to live and worship as they chose.
• Our Family's Story: July 4th is also a great time to tell your child(ren) about how and when your family of origin came to this country. It's a great time to celebrate the value of diversity and think about how many different kinds of people live in the United States. "The Castle of Hester Street" is a great story about a grandfather recalling his journey from Russia to New York to his grandchild.
• Celebrating in the Cradle of Liberty: For families who live in the Philadelphia area, we have the opportunity to show our kids first hand so many important symbols of the American Revolution. This year, the National Museum of American Jewish History will be open with free admission so that families can come and learn. (An hour in an air-conditioned museum might be just the right thing for this year's holiday!).

BTW: All of the books mentioned above are part of  PJ Library. If your child(ren) isn't signed up to receive these wonderful, free books every month, just click here to sign up!

Have a happy, safe & fun 4th!