BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Jewish Grandparents Network - ECPv6.17.5.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Jewish Grandparents Network X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Jewish Grandparents Network REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20220313T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20221106T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230930 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231007 DTSTAMP:20230919T211058Z CREATED:20230919T153128Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230919T211058Z UID:10000148-1696032000-1696636799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Sukkot DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/sukkot-3/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Sukkot-2023.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231007 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231008 DTSTAMP:20230919T210921Z CREATED:20230919T160317Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230919T210921Z UID:10000149-1696636800-1696723199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah-2/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Shemini-Atzeret-and-Simchat-Torah_October-7th.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231017T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231017T200000 DTSTAMP:20230901T185941Z CREATED:20230901T185941Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230901T185941Z UID:10000147-1697569200-1697572800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:How Emotions Affect Your Grandchild’s Behavior (and What You Can Do About It) DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-emotions-affect-your-grandchilds-behavior-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-Emotions-Affect-Behavior.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231018T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231018T130000 DTSTAMP:20231012T175732Z CREATED:20231012T175732Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231012T175732Z UID:10000157-1697630400-1697634000@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Facing Crisis in Israel: Talking with Our Grandchildren about Difficult Times DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/facing-crisis-in-israel-talking-to-our-grandchildren-about-difficult-times/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Facing-Crisis-in-Israel-Talking-with-Our-Grandchildren-about-Difficult-Times.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231113T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231113T140000 DTSTAMP:20231108T214538Z CREATED:20231108T191722Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231108T214538Z UID:10000159-1699880400-1699884000@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Meeting the Moment: Antisemitism and Your Children DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/meeting-the-moment-antisemitism-and-your-children/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Dr.-Samantha-Vinokor-Meinrath.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231116T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231116T200000 DTSTAMP:20231108T170046Z CREATED:20230923T181136Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231108T170046Z UID:10000153-1700161200-1700164800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:You're a Grandparent! A Personal Jewish Ritual to Mark Your New Role DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/and-you-shall-draw-water-with-joy-a-ceremony-for-becoming-a-grandparent/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Rabbi-Amalia.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231116T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231116T210000 DTSTAMP:20231108T214454Z CREATED:20231108T192305Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231108T214454Z UID:10000160-1700164800-1700168400@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Navigating Antisemitism Today: Guidance and Support for Parents of Young Children DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/navigating-antisemitism-today-guidance-and-support-for-parents-of-young-children/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Betsie-Stone-Headshot.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231124 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231125 DTSTAMP:20231120T165544Z CREATED:20230929T171358Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231120T165544Z UID:10000154-1700784000-1700870399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Thanksgiving Day DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/thanksgiving-day/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Thanksgiving-Day-2023.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231205T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231205T200000 DTSTAMP:20231025T102429Z CREATED:20231024T174754Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231025T102429Z UID:10000158-1701802800-1701806400@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:At a Distance: Practical and Meaningful Ways to Build Relationships with Your Grandchildren Who Live Far Away DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/at-a-distance-practical-and-meaningful-ways-to-build-relationships-with-your-grandchildren-who-live-far-away/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Dr.-Kerry-Byrne.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231208 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231216 DTSTAMP:20231201T003659Z CREATED:20230919T161832Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231201T003659Z UID:10000152-1701993600-1702684799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Hanukkah (light first candle evening Dec 7) DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/hanukkah-3/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hanukkah-2023.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231210T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231210T120000 DTSTAMP:20231207T174644Z CREATED:20231207T174551Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231207T174644Z UID:10000162-1702206000-1702209600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Hanukkah Celebration with Grandparents and Grandchildren in the US and Israel DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/hanukkah-celebration-with-grandparents-and-grandchildren-in-the-us-and-israel/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Hanukkah-Celebration-with-Grandparents-and-Grandchildren-in-the-US-and-Israel.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240101 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240102 DTSTAMP:20231231T132919Z CREATED:20231002T191041Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231231T132919Z UID:10000156-1704067200-1704153599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:New Year’s Day DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/new-years-day-2/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/gif:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Happy-New-Year-JGN.gif END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240116T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240116T200000 DTSTAMP:20231222T164526Z CREATED:20231108T214134Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231222T164526Z UID:10000161-1705431600-1705435200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:How to Bring Shabbat to Life with Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-to-bring-shabbat-to-life-with-grandchildren/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-Bring-Shabbat-to-Life.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240206T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240206T200000 DTSTAMP:20231218T211930Z CREATED:20231212T220816Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231218T211930Z UID:10000163-1707246000-1707249600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Finding Ways to Reconnect with Estranged Children and Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/finding-ways-to-reconnect-with-your-estranged-children-and-grandchildren/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dr.-Sue-Cornbluth.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240305T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240305T200000 DTSTAMP:20231231T212150Z CREATED:20231231T212150Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231231T212150Z UID:10000164-1709665200-1709668800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:How to Communicate in Writing with Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-to-communicate-in-writing-with-grandchildren/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Aviva-Black.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240324 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240325 DTSTAMP:20240311T190605Z CREATED:20240311T190424Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T190605Z UID:10000089-1711238400-1711324799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Purim DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/purim-3/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Purim-2024.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240327T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240327T200000 DTSTAMP:20240308T165940Z CREATED:20240202T001018Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240308T165940Z UID:10000087-1711566000-1711569600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Why the Jews? Understanding Antisemitism DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/why-the-jews-understanding-antisemitism/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Brendan-Murphy.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240416T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240416T201500 DTSTAMP:20240416T141031Z CREATED:20240201T202242Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240416T141031Z UID:10000165-1713294000-1713298500@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Welcome to the Seder: Grandparents' Role in Embracing ALL Family Members at Passover DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/welcome-to-the-seder-grandparents-role-in-embracing-all-family-members-at-passover/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rabbi-Jessica-Lowenthal.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240422 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240423 DTSTAMP:20240311T213018Z CREATED:20240311T211850Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T213018Z UID:10000090-1713744000-1713830399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Passover\, first seder DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/passover-first-seder-2/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Passover-the-first-seder.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240515T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240515T200000 DTSTAMP:20240323T222319Z CREATED:20240323T222319Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240323T222319Z UID:10000092-1715799600-1715803200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:How Grandparents Can Play with Infants and Young Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-grandparents-can-play-with-infants-and-young-grandchildren/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dr.-Betsy-Diamant-Cohen.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240605T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240605T200000 DTSTAMP:20240418T180737Z CREATED:20240418T180737Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240418T180737Z UID:10000093-1717614000-1717617600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:The Power of Grandparent-Grandchild Interactions: Learning from and Teaching Each Other DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/the-power-of-grandparent-grandchild-interactions-learning-from-and-teaching-each-other/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Power-of-Grandparent-Grandchild-Interactions.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240612 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240614 DTSTAMP:20240509T102023Z CREATED:20230428T152737Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240509T102023Z UID:10000138-1718150400-1718323199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Shavuot DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/shavuot-2/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shavuot.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240619 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240620 DTSTAMP:20240617T144033Z CREATED:20240614T155804Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240617T144033Z UID:10000094-1718755200-1718841599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Juneteenth National Independence Day DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/juneteenth/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Juneteenth-Calendar-Event-Image.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240704 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240705 DTSTAMP:20240617T154744Z CREATED:20240617T154744Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240617T154744Z UID:10000095-1720051200-1720137599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:July 4 DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/july-4/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Happy-July-4th.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240904T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240904T140000 DTSTAMP:20240821T135657Z CREATED:20240819T150435Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240821T135657Z UID:10000167-1725454800-1725458400@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Coffee Talk with the Chief Zayde Officer DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/coffee-talk-with-the-chief-zayde-officer/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Coffee-Talk-with-the-Chief-Zayde-Officer.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240917T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240917T200000 DTSTAMP:20240715T182837Z CREATED:20240715T182837Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240715T182837Z UID:10000096-1726599600-1726603200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:How Play with Grandchildren Can Bring Out the Sweetness of the High Holidays DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-play-with-grandchildren-can-bring-out-the-sweetness-of-the-high-holidays/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sari-Kopitnikoff.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240917T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240917T203000 DTSTAMP:20240722T141217Z CREATED:20240722T141217Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240722T141217Z UID:10000097-1726603200-1726605000@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Talkback for Professionals: How Play with Grandchildren Can Bring Out the Sweetness of the High Holidays DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/talkback-for-professionals-how-play-with-grandchildren-can-bring-out-the-sweetness-of-the-high-holidays/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Talkback-for-Professionals-How-Play-with-Grandchildren-Can-Bring-Out-the-Sweetness-of-the-High-Holidays-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240925T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240925T134500 DTSTAMP:20240913T204945Z CREATED:20240913T204945Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240913T204945Z UID:10000169-1727269200-1727271900@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:One Year Since October 7: How to Talk with Your Teen Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/one-year-since-october-7-how-to-talk-with-your-teen-grandchildren/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/One-Year-Since-October-7_How-to-Talk-with-Your-Teen-Grandchildren.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241003 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241005 DTSTAMP:20240710T181956Z CREATED:20230710T174921Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240710T181956Z UID:10000142-1727913600-1728086399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Rosh Hashanah DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/rosh-hashanah-2023/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rosh-Hashanah-September-16-17.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241012 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241013 DTSTAMP:20240926T144504Z CREATED:20230710T180618Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240926T144504Z UID:10000143-1728691200-1728777599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Yom Kippur DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/yom-kippur-3/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Yom-Kippur-Calendar-Event.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR