Volume 31 Issue 4 25 Feb 2022 24 Adar I 5782

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

During our Meet the Teacher presentations, Morah Bar-On and I mentioned the importance of a strong home-school partnership in nurturing the Jewish identity, lives and experiences of our young people. It is important for children to know that ’being and doing Jewish’ exists outside school hours and that Jewish learning and using Hebrew can take place beyond the classroom. Alongside the קְהִילָּה kehilah (community), the מִשְׁפָּחָה mishpacha (family) is a cornerstone of Jewish living, with many of our celebrations, festivities and rituals taking place in the home with family. 

Sometimes as parents we may feel like we do not have enough knowledge to engage with our child. I know I feel that at times when my eldest son shares what he is learning in HSC Chemistry. However, we do not need to have attended a Jewish Day School or to possess rabbinic knowledge to engage our children in Jewish matters. 

We can bring Jewish living and learning into our homes in multiple ways; by asking questions, listening actively, sparking conversations, creating opportunities and by being role models.

In this spirit, the following ideas and resources may be helpful for you and your family:

  • Ask your child to share what he/she has been learning in Hebrew and Jewish Studies  
  • Listen to your child read Hebrew, speak Hebrew or share Hebrew words they have learnt
  • Let your child be the teacher and have them teach you something
  • Have your child help lead in the Shabbat table blessings on a Friday evening
  • Let them teach or lead a song or tune learnt at school
  • Add the parental blessing for children to your Friday night Shabbat table rituals
  • Discuss a Jewish value, text or teaching and explore its relevance and connection to your lives
  • Be inspired by the weekly Torah portion to engage in discussions around the dinner table
  • Play Hebrew songs or music in the lead up to festivals and Shabbat. Ask your child if they have favourites and use YouTube to expand your Jewish musical knowledge
  • Cook Jewish food together with your child…this could be challah for Shabbat, hamantaschen for Purim or matzah brei during Pesach.

Helpful video resources for parents, families and children

Jewish values discussion and action ideas:

Family friendly commentaries, contemporary stories and discussion questions on the weekly Torah portion:

Jewish craft ideas: 

 

שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם
Shabbat Shalom