BTS (Back to School and SHUL!)

It's Back To School time, hooray! Time to gather those school supplies and to check to see how much of last year's uniforms will make it through another year. I am giddy as I read fliers for Open House events, Back to School Nights and First Day Coffee clutches. This gets me excited. A fresh slate, a new year with possibilities, for my kids and for me. So much to learn and to do. Not just for the secular learning, but for Jewish learning as well. A new year of Jewish education, learning about the holidays, traditions, values and teachings. A new year of 11 new PJ Library books coming to your home (and 1 awesome CD). 

Jewish learning may not be your first thought as we reset our alarm clocks and setup carpool situations, but I feel that now is the time for us think about it as well. Some parents choose a Jewish education for their children at a local synagogue. Others choose to "home-shul" their children, making everyday an enriching Jewish experience to learn from. For some, a Jewish day school is the right place for their child to learn and grow and to connect to his/her Judaism. Kudos to all of those efforts. Exposing our children to the richness of our religion and culture is an amazing gift. 

But, what about us, the parents? Sure, we probably went to religious school and Hebrew school ages ago, did the bar/bat Mitzvah thing. Maybe some of us were confirmed, went to a Hebrew High School or High School in Israel program or, maybe not. This has gotten me thinking, what about me? What am I learning? When do I have time to learn? Does helping my daughter with her Hebrew homework count? Is there more out there that I can learn from my religion? More that will help me in my life, as a professional, as a wife, a friend, a mom? The answer is probably a very big YES! And, this fall I am committed, not just to my children's Jewish education, but to my own. And, I challenge other moms and dads to do the same. For me, I will seek out the offerings at my spiritual home (my synagogue) and here at the Friedman CJE (www.cjepb.org) where adult education is being revitalized. I hope to share some of what I learn with you in the months ahead. So, happy Back To School time and don't forget to put yourself on the syllabus of Jewish life.

Register for PJ Library in the Greater Palm Beaches
List of local synagogues
Our Community Jewish Day School-Meyer Academy
Friedman CJE

How To Put Being Jewish On Your Radar

As a parent, you have twenty million things on your brain each day. And, I am sure "being Jewish" or "doing Jewish stuff with the kids" is on the list. But in the real world, it is easy for some things to get push to the bottom. So, I am here to share with you some of easy ways I have found to put being Jewish on your radar.

1. Try incorporating Jewish words/topics into your daily conversations with your kids. For example, instead of saying "TGIF" when you pick up the kids from school on Fridays, greet them with "Shabbat Shalom"----even if you know you will not have time that night to lights candles. Or, in the morning, wake your sleepy head with "Boker Tov" (Hebrew for good morning). And, when your child does something helpful around the house or treats a sibling with kindness, praise them by calling them a "Mensch".

2. Out of sight, out of mind------don't hide all the "Jewish things" you got at as a wedding gift. Put them on display in your home and let your children see them in a place of honor. Let them and everyone who visit your house that you live in a Jewish home. A great idea from my boss is to even make sure your ritual objects are at "kid level"---whatever height your child is currently.

3. Do a "drive by". Find an excuse to drop by your local synagogue (even if you are not a member) on your way to baseball, soccer or a music lesson. Drop off coins in their tzedakah box, donate can foods for their food drive, say hello to the rabbi or cantor. Anything that works for you to show your kids that this is "their" temple and it's fun and easy to visit.

4. Give responsibility to someone ELSE--now that your candlesticks are at kid level, why not give your child the "job" of pulling them out each Friday morning before s/he leaves for school? It will remind you when you come home that evening to light them. How about another job of polishing the kiddush cup, or bringing home the challah on Fridays from school or from a bakery? Kids love "jobs", especially when rewarded with a sticker on chart or even a special hug for a job well done.

These are just some ideas, I hope they help. It's not hard to put Judaism on you radar, sometimes you just need to be a little creative.