Our son is developing an appetite for temple, and as his enthusiasm grows, so does mine. We have given him lots of exposure to Judaism, but we have tried not to push religion on him. We have just let it sort of be. Continue reading
My son treats our temple like a second home. He hugs the rabbis and the cantor. He exchanges high fives with other parents and children. He seems as comfortable in the children’s service as he is in the adult services. Seeing my son embrace his faith so early in life is beautiful and at times, astonishing. Both my husband and I grew up largely disconnected from our faith. We didn’t set out to make Judaism such an integral part of our son’s early childhood. It just happened.
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Taking young children to Shabbat services is a tricky endeavor. How does a parent juggle a desire to experience a full Shabbat service with the realization that a young child may not be able to sit through the whole thing? Compromise. Continue reading
The Jewish New Year is months away. But I live in America and celebrate both the secular and Jewish New Years. I’m not superstitious, but like the tradition of making resolutions as each new year approaches. Here are my resolutions for the new year – with a Jewish twist:
How Jewish must we be to help our faith survive? It’s a tough question. The Bible has a passage that seems to suggest we should not practice our faith in anyway we please. But as a Reform Jew, I treasure the freedom to choose how Jewish I want to be. Continue reading
>No candles were lit. No kiddush was chanted. No challah was on a table. And yet last Friday night still felt a lot like Shabbat.
My family met a friend and her 4-year-old daughter for a picnic in downtown Lexington and heard a free children’s music concert. Maybe Shabbat can be about more than ritual. It was a night about simply being together. Continue reading
My 4-month-old baby boy nestled in my arms, I walked into the sanctuary hoping to discreetly slip back into a seat by my husband.
“Simon,” Rabbi Howard Jaffe called out in his booming voice. “Come join us.”
It was time for the Aleinu prayer, and our temple’s tradition was to invite children to participate and open the doors of the ark.
Take my baby up to the bimah? What was the point?
Some people seem so comfortable at praying. They shut their eyes and recite words praising God and fold into their own private space. I am still learning how to pray.
I celebrated my adult bat mitzvah four years ago and led others in the traditional prayers of a Shabbat morning service. I did not stumble over the Hebrew, and yet my adrenalin rush stemmed not so much from the words of the prayer. It came from the people around me. It came from the sense of community.
Strawberry, chocolate, and milk stains dotted the dining room tablecloth. Toys were strewn across the living room. And the squeals of three toddlers filled our home. It was Friday night, and this Shabbat dinner was “much, much better” than others. Friends sat at our table with us.
Most of us are considerate enough to take a baby or toddler out of the sanctuary if wailing or whining starts. As Jews, we should roll out the welcome mat for young families, whether they show up for a regular service or Tot Shabbat. Continue reading
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