We recently asked the members of the Jewish Grandparents Network Facebook Group:
“Thinking about your own grandchildren, what does the phrase ‘my legacy’ mean to you?”

Here’s how people responded:

• Torah, simchah, and family first.
• For me, it is teach by example. Always act with integrity. Be utterly reliable and trustworthy. | hope that is part of the legacy I leave them.
• My dad looks at his great grandchildren and always says My Legacy. I think he means that they will carry on his Jewish identity and as he says to all of us DTRT. Do The Right Thing!
• Human kindness, chesed. This is what we teach them. We talk
  about tzedakah; they periodically volunteer at a food pantry; their parents do a lot of pro bono work … this would be our legacy, if they could grow up in this path.
• L’dor va’dor from one generation to another. Religion, customs, tzedakah, menschiness. Stand tall and be proud!
• I want to always set a good example of how to be a mensch. In fact, that was one of the first bits of parenting advice I gave to my son: Set a good example!
• At 4 and 1.5 years I’m already trying to pass on my love of food and cooking and Jewish holidays.
• Be an outstanding role model for them up to took up to, teach them to do Tzedakah and participate with them, share Jewish experiences, and stress the importance of their Jewish identity.
• Being a good role. Model to live life to its fullest.
• Teach them to treat people the way they want to be treated themselves. It’s pretty simple.
• Set a good example so that your grandchildren will remember you as a caring person and pass that behavior on to the next generation.
• To me, it means how I want them to remember me. I want to be encouraging, loving and kind.
• That I raised my children to be kind, compassionate, good humans with Jewish values and family tradition and they will teach their children the same . Also that the four loves
  of my life can come to me with anything and I will be
  there for them.
• It’s fairly simple. When they think of me, or something reminds them of me, they smile, and maybe even laugh. To paraphrase Hillel, the rest is commentary.

Banner photograph courtesy of Or Ami, Calabasas, CA