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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221124
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UID:10000049-1669248000-1669334399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Thanksgiving
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-2/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Thanksgiving-2022.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221129T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221129T170000
DTSTAMP:20221111T192349Z
CREATED:20221111T192349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221111T192349Z
UID:10000054-1669737600-1669741200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:L'Dor Va'Dor: Affirming and Loving Your Transgender\, Non-Binary\, and Gender Expansive 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/ldor-vador-affirming-and-loving-your-transgender-non-binary-and-gender-expansive-grandchildren-2/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/November-29th-FR-Live-Event.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221201T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221201T200000
DTSTAMP:20221107T162753Z
CREATED:20221107T162753Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221107T162753Z
UID:10000052-1669921200-1669924800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:How to Bring Hanukkah to Life for 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-hanukkah-to-life-for-grandchildren/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Jonathan-Shmidt-Chapmans-Hanukkah-500x500px.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221215T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221215T203000
DTSTAMP:20221111T194031Z
CREATED:20221111T194031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221111T194031Z
UID:10000056-1671130800-1671136200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Creating Safe & Affirming Spaces for Our 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/creating-safe-affirming-spaces-for-our-grandchildren/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/December-15th-FR-Live-Event.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221218
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221219
DTSTAMP:20220217T191533Z
CREATED:20220127T180559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220217T191533Z
UID:10000083-1671321600-1671407999@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Light 1st Hanukkah candle tonight
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/light-1st-hanukkah-candle-tonight/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221219
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221227
DTSTAMP:20221107T220206Z
CREATED:20220127T180854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221107T220206Z
UID:10000084-1671408000-1672099199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Hanukkah
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-2/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Hanukkah-2022.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221225
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221226
DTSTAMP:20220127T180930Z
CREATED:20220127T180930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220127T180930Z
UID:10000085-1671926400-1672012799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Christmas
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/christmas-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221226
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221227
DTSTAMP:20220127T181038Z
CREATED:20220127T181038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220127T181038Z
UID:10000086-1672012800-1672099199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Christmas Day observed
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/christmas-day-observed/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230110T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230110T200000
DTSTAMP:20221130T225444Z
CREATED:20221130T152828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221130T225444Z
UID:10000058-1673377200-1673380800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:How to Talk with your Preteen and Teen Grandchildren about 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/how-to-talk-to-your-preteen-and-teen-grandchildren-about-antisemitism/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/How-to-Talk-to-your-Preteen-and-Teen-Grandchildren-about-Antisemitism.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230131T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230131T200000
DTSTAMP:20230130T153451Z
CREATED:20230102T184219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230130T153451Z
UID:10000060-1675191600-1675195200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Our Adult Children's Voices Matter: What Parents Want Grandparents to Know
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/our-adult-childrens-voices-matter-what-parents-want-grandparents-to-know/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Our-Adult-Childrens-Voices-Matter_350x350px.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230206
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230207
DTSTAMP:20230130T152856Z
CREATED:20230130T125302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230130T152856Z
UID:10000128-1675641600-1675727999@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Tu BiShvat
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/tu-bishvat-2/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tu-BiShvat_350x350px.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230221T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230221T200000
DTSTAMP:20230301T173829Z
CREATED:20230124T162625Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230301T173829Z
UID:10000127-1677006000-1677009600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:How to Bring Purim to Life for 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-purim-to-life-for-grandchildren/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/How-to-Bring-Purim-to-Life-for-Granchildren_350x350px.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230307
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230308
DTSTAMP:20230130T152740Z
CREATED:20230123T204905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230130T152740Z
UID:10000062-1678147200-1678233599@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-2/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Purim_March-7th-2023_350x350px.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230328T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230328T200000
DTSTAMP:20230315T145906Z
CREATED:20230301T173915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230315T145906Z
UID:10000133-1680030000-1680033600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:How to Bring Passover to Life for 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-passover-to-life-for-grandchildren/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/How-to-Bring-Passover-to-Life-for-Grandchildren-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230405
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230406
DTSTAMP:20230315T160531Z
CREATED:20230223T170223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230315T160531Z
UID:10000129-1680652800-1680739199@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/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Passover_first-seder_4.5.23.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230406
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230407
DTSTAMP:20230322T180425Z
CREATED:20230223T170454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230322T180425Z
UID:10000130-1680739200-1680825599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Passover\, first 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/passover-first-day/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Passover_first-day_4.6.23.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230412
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230413
DTSTAMP:20230223T170605Z
CREATED:20230223T170605Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T170605Z
UID:10000131-1681257600-1681343999@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Passover\, last day (Reform)
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-last-day-reform-2/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230413
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230414
DTSTAMP:20230223T170824Z
CREATED:20230223T170824Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T170824Z
UID:10000132-1681344000-1681430399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Passover\, last day (Conservative)
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-last-day-conservative-2/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230418
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230419
DTSTAMP:20230410T185212Z
CREATED:20230410T185212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230410T185212Z
UID:10000135-1681776000-1681862399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Yom Hashoah\, Holocaust Remembrance 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/yom-hashoah-holocaust-remembrance-day/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Yom-Hashoah-Holocaust-Remembrance-Day_April-26-2023.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230418T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230418T200000
DTSTAMP:20230424T010411Z
CREATED:20230322T200414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230424T010411Z
UID:10000134-1681844400-1681848000@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:How to Navigate Family Relationships: Jewish Tools That Can Help
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-navigate-family-relationships-jewish-tools-that-can-help/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/How-to-navigate-family-relationships_Jewish-tools-that-can-help_4.18.23.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230426
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230427
DTSTAMP:20230410T185702Z
CREATED:20230410T185702Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230410T185702Z
UID:10000136-1682467200-1682553599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Israel’s 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/israels-independence-day/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Israels-Independence-Day_April-26-2023.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230509T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230509T200000
DTSTAMP:20230426T160908Z
CREATED:20230424T010538Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230426T160908Z
UID:10000137-1683658800-1683662400@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:The Torah of Being a Grandparent: How We Live our Values
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-torah-of-being-a-grandparent-how-we-live-our-values/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Torah-of-Being-a-Grandparent_How-We-Live-our-Values.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230606T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230606T200000
DTSTAMP:20230505T174825Z
CREATED:20230505T171838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230505T174825Z
UID:10000139-1686078000-1686081600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:The Joys and Oys of Multifaith Families: How Grandparents Can Find the Blessings and Navigate the Challenges
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-joys-and-oys-of-multifaith-families-how-grandparents-can-find-the-blessings-and-navigate-the-challenges/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Joys-and-Oys-of-Multifaith-Families.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230704
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230705
DTSTAMP:20230613T142112Z
CREATED:20230613T141739Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230613T142112Z
UID:10000140-1688428800-1688515199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY: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/independence-day/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Flag.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230904
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230905
DTSTAMP:20230710T173959Z
CREATED:20230710T173540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230710T173959Z
UID:10000141-1693785600-1693871999@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Labor 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/labor-day-3/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Labor-Day-9.4.23.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230912T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230912T200000
DTSTAMP:20230711T165611Z
CREATED:20230711T163711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230711T165611Z
UID:10000146-1694545200-1694548800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:How to Talk with Grandchildren About Death and Dying
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-talk-with-grandchildren-about-death-and-dying/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Talk-with-Grandchildren-About-Death-and-Dying-Rabbi-Melanie-Levav.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230915
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230916
DTSTAMP:20230710T181002Z
CREATED:20230710T181002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230710T181002Z
UID:10000144-1694736000-1694822399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Erev 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/erev-rosh-hashanah-3/
END:VEVENT
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;VALUE=DATE:20231008
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231009
DTSTAMP:20230919T161116Z
CREATED:20230919T161116Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230919T161116Z
UID:10000150-1696723200-1696809599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Simchat Torah (Conservative)
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/simchat-torah-conservative-3/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR