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Grow a Good Citizen: Talking with Kids about Voting and Democracy
Talking with your kids about democracy and the election process communicates your values and helps children make sense of what they may hear on TV, at school, from friends, and around the dinner table.
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Helping Today's Kids Grow Into Tomorrow's Adults
One of the hardest parts about being a parent is preparing your children for when they leave home. Watch the video below to see Jordanna Flores, director of year-round programs at URJ Camp Newman, explain how sending your kids to camp can prepare them to be resilient and independent adults.
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Social Justice for Parents
Here you'll find videos, activity guides, training programs, and book reviews for teaching your children social justice values, connecting them with the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Talking to Children About Difficult Subjects
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After Terror: 5 Jewish Ways to Help Kids Deal
Jewish tradition provides wisdom on how to handle these moments – both as parents and as individuals: Don’t be afraid to learn. Take large actions. Embrace small acts. Tell the stories to your children, and know when to let it go.
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How We Can Help our Littlest Learners in the Wake of Tragedy
As a Jewish preschool director just an hour north of Parkland, FL, my office has been a buzz of activity after 17 people were murdered at a local high school.
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Helping Children to Process Acts of Terrorism
When acts of terror occur, we are all filled with sadness and shock; worries about our own security and the security of those we love may become sharply increased in the aftermath of such devastation. Despite feeling confused and vulnerable ourselves, we feel called upon to offer explanation and reassurance to our children.
Shaboom! Videos For Children and Parents
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Teaching Children about Returning Lost Property (Hashavat Aveidah)
While looking for a lost baseball, Ben finds a Legend of Latka action figure and claims it as his own...
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Teaching Children about Donating to Charity (Tzedakah)
The Plony family rallies to make donations for their synagogue’s charity drive, but Gabi and Rafael notice that Mom, Dad and Ben only want to part with broken or worn out items.
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Teaching Children about Reducing Waste (Bal Tashchit)
Yasmin must hold her nose to wade through the garbage piling up outside the Plony house. Though she turns off the faucet and begs Momma Plony not to use extra paper towels, it takes a magical Sparks-inspired flood to sort out the real trash from the recyclables.
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Teaching Children about Respect (Kavod)
Papa Plony is obsessed with beating the Baloney family in the annual relay race. But when Yasmin flakes out on practice, and a new team member shows up with an unexpected physical difference - he panics.
What's New
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Jewish Names to Brighten Your Summer and Life!
You're expecting a baby or perhaps taking on a Hebrew name and looking for some sunny inspiration. Jewish tradition offers a rich array of names that evoke the beauty of summer and the Jewish holidays that fall during the summer months.
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Melding Tradition and Innovation: Our Interfaith Toddler Naming Ceremony
When I found out I was pregnant, my mind was immediately filled with questions and plans. When my son Logan was born at 34 weeks, many of those plans quickly changed.
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Nine Spring-Inspired Hebrew Names
Whether you're planning to welcome a child into your family, are preparing to choose your own Hebrew name, or just enjoy learning about the meanings and stories that names hold, I hope you'll be inspired by one of these nine names inspired by Purim, Passover, and the renewal of spring.
Find a Jewish Baby Name
Search for names and their meanings
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Find a Mohel
Search this list of Reform mohelim to perform your child's bris or baby naming.
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Shabbat Family Activities
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Three Ways to Bring Shabbat Home
Shabbat is the Jewish holiday that comes each week. Its roots lie in the biblical story of creation when, in order to complete the work of creating the world, God rested on the seventh day
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Teach Your Children the Mitzvot of Shabbat
With your children, generate ideas and family activities that will fulfill these four mitzvot. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Related Answers to Jewish Questions
- If our baby is circumcised in the hospital, can the ceremony of a bris still be held?
- Why do we bless our children on Shabbat?
- I have heard that in Jewish tradition, parents are responsible for teaching their children to swim. Is that true?
- How can we explain circumcision to our friends?
- We are expecting a child in a few weeks. Is there something for girls that is equivalent to the bris ceremony for boys?
- My child is going to sleepaway camp. Is there a prayer or blessing that I can say?
- How can we help children cope with natural disasters?
Children's Book Reviews
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Noah’s Swim-a-Thon
Noah loves everything about summer camp except swimming. Yet, when he finds out about a camp swim-a-thon that will give other children a chance to attend the camp he loves, Noah leaps at the chance to jump in the water and do his part to help.
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Bagels from Benny
In a retelling of a ancient folk tale, Benny's grandfather runs a bakery with the best bagels in town. When people thank Benny's grandpa for the bagels, he says that God is the one who should be thanked. Benny comes up with a creative way to thank God for the bagels, with a surprising result.