Holiday Season Methods for Jewish Mothers7030643
From Wsfa
When my son was little, we attended a co-op preschool in Manhattan Beach, California the place that the sole curriculum was "conflict resolution". Because of this, none with their art centers contained any holiday references. The children never even came home with a Mother's or Father's Day card in the event one of their students was without single parents of their lives.
We gone to live in Santa Cruz, California in time for my son to start out kindergarten. I soon found out that Santa Cruz had a completely different policy about holidays. To my amazement, one of the kindergarten teachers stood a Christmas tree in her classroom! Then through the springtime, inside my daughter's co-op preschool, I was again confronted with the different policy. One of many art centers contained stickers of bunnies and Easter eggs. While i brought this to the attention in the teacher, her response was, "Those aren't religious symbols."
It's interesting to note that people have differing beliefs by what may or may not be religious symbols. Computer work a Menorah downtown this season because some thought it was inappropriate to get a religious symbol with the post office. Regardless of this, I'm sure that there'll be plenty Christmas related symbols throughout the downtown this year. Lights, trees, bells, holly and more are displayed all over town in schools, stores, along with other public.
So rather than beat them, I only say let's join them. Usually Jews really are a bit shy about public displays of religiosity because of all the anti-Semitism that we've encountered. So this is a approach to fully stand up with pride, along with some strategies for Jewish mothers with small children. These guidelines help kids enjoy their Jewish identity despite being bombarded by every one of the fun, extremely colorful, and delightful holiday symbols that just don't fit in with them.
1. When school starts, allow the teacher know beforehand that your particular child is Jewish and will also be absent on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (our holidays). Require a little consideration also to please not plan any exhilarating special projects on those days so that your child won't feel neglected. Ask the institution board plus your principal that will put the vacations within their school calendar so teachers are sensitive to them.
2. Around Hanukah, ask your little one's teacher if you can appear in to the classroom to generate latkes. Your children love them! I've had kids ask me every year easily was going to make latkes and i have had parents thank me for it. If you would like, turn this right into a cooking lesson. Allow it to be easy on yourself when you purchase bags of frozen shredded potatoes and minced onion through the supermarket. Or perhaps make sure they are both at home and bring them in already warm. Browse the Hanukah story from a picture book as they definitely eat. You can also light a menorah making it truly exciting. After the youngsters are done eating, guide them how you can play dreidle. Peanuts inside the shell work really well for that dreidle game kitty - in case there are no peanut allergies.
3. Have a very latke party both at home and invite relatives. Chocolate gelt may be used to play dreidle with. Within our family, each individual has their particular menorah to light. My daughter developed a gorgeous menorah 12 months together with a square of granite. You'll need lots of candles for all those menorahs but the light makes it worth while. After lighting, march around your table, like Maccabees singing Chanukah songs. Did you know that it's a tradition for yiddishe mama to only spend time at the table and enjoy the light whilst the candles burn? Get your entire cooking and serving done first and enjoy this relaxing 20 minute-meditation-mitzvah for ladies only!
4. Use books and CDs to assist your sons or daughters enter into the holiday spirit. There are many children's books that tell the story of Hanukah. One of the best picture books is termed, "Festival of Lights, The storyline of Hanukkah" by Maida Silverman. My daughter always loved the sticker book, "Melly's Menorah" by Amye Rosenberg. For older kids, there's a chapter book called, "Jason's Miracle: A Hanukkah Story" by Beryl Lieff Benderly. For teenagers and adults, there is a book called, "The Complete Story of Chanukah" by Nissan Mindel. The top CD I've found for Jewish holidays is, "To Life! Chanukah and also other Jewish Celebrations". Cindy Paley also offers a good Chanukah CD and "A Singing Seder" for Passover.
5. Being with Jewish children helps your youngster know he/she is just not alone in celebrating holidays which can be completely different from most of the other children at school. Community can be found with the many synagogues out. In addition, there are many places that you can find out more on Judaism. My favorite spot to go is Chabad.org where there are plenty of articles, mp3 downloads and videos - all at no cost. But although you may only know alef, start there, you are able to teach your children "alef".
If they're faced with the attractive, glittery and glowing holiday symbols that permeate our universe throughout the "holidays", realize that it is possible to provide your kids something they can enjoy that's all of their own. Youngsters are prepared to are aware that some holidays belong to others when they have been something of their. You can achieve imparting the top that Judaism has to offer by experiencing the many Jewish holidays all year round. They could not have the glamour and glitter however they can provide your young ones with deep meaning and miracles, feeling of values, along with a heritage they're able to take immense pride in.
