Show children how to light the menorah
    Show them how to light Shabbat candles
    Create a Passover Seder
    Have a Chanukah party

    Make Jewish food together... appreciate their aroma!
    Share family stories
    Include children in visiting the sick and those in mourning, show
    them how to comfort others, include them in making/taking food

    Look at videos/books about Israel, together identify important sites


    Listen to tapes of Jewish music, learn songs together
    Include children in holiday preparations
    Teach them some of the familiar prayers
    Take them to Temple, answer their questions

    Find Jewish related activities in museums, theater, movies
    Look for the cards in "Golden Blintzes" packages, share them
    with the children

    Emphasize the closeness of Jewish families
    Share Jewish values of morality and charity
    Talk about how we are "The People of the Book," - share
    Jewish books and literature

    Share our ancient roots through Bible stories
    Share the accomplishments of prominent Jewish men and women
    Take the children to Simchat Torah celebration
    Volunteer together and learn about the mitzvah of tzedakah

    Food is a way to bond... make and taste deli food,
    pot roast, brisket, latkes, gefelte fish, matzah ball soup

    Talk about the Torah and take the children to a Torah service
    Share your thoughts on anti-semitism ... be proactive,
    before they are confronted with this "on the street"

    If you are far away, make a holiday box, like a Passover Box,
    Chanukah Box, Purim Box... etc.  Put in music,
    a story, pictures, etc. and have your grandchildren
    photograph how they used them and send them to you

    Create a "Jewish Corner" on a shelf or space in
    your home... put in Jewish ritual items, plan a
    scavenger hunt, have the children draw, color, paint
    a picture of their favorite, most interesting item
Some Thoughts on Interfaith Families
Ideas for Parents and Grandparents to Share Our Jewish Heritage
Rabbi Barbara Aiello
© 2005 Rabbi Barbara Aiello, All rights reserved.
Rabbi Barbara Aiello, Sinagoga Ner Tamid del Sud
Interfaith Families are Jewish Treasures ...