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Sukkot, Diversity, and Unity: How Each of Us is Like the Four Species
While all Jewish holidays serve as great opportunities to practice audacious hospitality, Sukkot has always stood out to me as the most audaciously hospitable of Jewish holidays.
Four More Passover Questions for the Whole Family
Our tradition teaches us that the Passover Seder is meant to be a learning experience for children of all ages, from 1 - 100. Our questions are more important that the answers. As you prepare to sit around the Seder table, we’d like to offer you some additional questions to help connect the past, present, and future of our Passover traditions.
What’s Different about High Holidays Challah?
In Pirkei Avot, Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah taught, “If there is no bread, there is no Torah; and if there is no Torah, there is no bread.” I love these words. They echo in my mind when I partake in two of my favorite almost daily activities, the study of Torah and the baking bread. On the holidays, these two passions intersect, as they have for generations of Jews, when I shape challah. The traditional shapes for challot (plural) can be Torah study on our very festival tables.
10 Ways Busy Parents Can Share Judaism With Their Kids
We all lead busy lives, running here and there and everywhere. It can be difficult to find time for ourselves, let alone to nurture a spiritual or religious life. But there are many ways to feel Jewish and to impart Jewish feelings, customs, and knowledge to our children without investing much more time into our already-busy schedules.
Teaching Children About Visiting the Sick (Bikur Cholim)
In this sneeze-filled episode, we find the magical Sparks Gabi and Rafi fighting off their own colds while they help the Plony family realize that Grandpa needs cheering up in the hospital. Gabi’s sniffles manage to misdirect her magic to hilarious effect. A rainstorm of chicken soup and a flock of quacking ducks eventually persuade the family to visit Grandpa.
10 Cozy, Cinnamon-Centric Recipes with a Jewish Twist
What’s your autumn flavor of choice? Is it spiced pumpkin, or maybe seasonal apples? How about cozy cinnamon? Here are 10 Jewishly inspired, easy to make, tried-and-true recipes featuring cinnamon that you’re going to love.
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.
Learn About Israel with Shalom Sesame
Learn about Israel's history and culture with Grover and friends in these Shalom Sesame videos, and engage with your children using the discussion ideas and activities.
Shaping Our World through Play: Make Your Own Playdough
This Rosh HaShanah, we all need to find new and different ways to connect with the High Holidays and a playdough date might be just right for you and your family.
Teaching Children about Being Grateful for What They Have (Hakarat Hatov)
Magical Rafael wants a new toy, specifically a hoversaurus dino-copter. In the real world, Lila and Yasmin are unhappy that their kite won’t fly without wind. A confused ‘sunbrella’ and a nest-building bird help Gabi the Spark teach Rafael, Lila and Yasmin a lesson about feeling grateful for what they DO have, whether it be a wingboard or a fun filled neighborhood park.