BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Jewish Grandparents Network - ECPv6.17.5.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Jewish Grandparents Network
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Jewish Grandparents Network
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20230312T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20231105T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20240310T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20241103T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240116T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240116T200000
DTSTAMP:20231222T164526Z
CREATED:20231108T214134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231222T164526Z
UID:10000161-1705431600-1705435200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:How to Bring Shabbat to Life with Grandchildren
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-to-bring-shabbat-to-life-with-grandchildren/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-Bring-Shabbat-to-Life.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240206T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240206T200000
DTSTAMP:20231218T211930Z
CREATED:20231212T220816Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231218T211930Z
UID:10000163-1707246000-1707249600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Finding Ways to Reconnect with Estranged Children and Grandchildren
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/finding-ways-to-reconnect-with-your-estranged-children-and-grandchildren/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dr.-Sue-Cornbluth.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240305T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240305T200000
DTSTAMP:20231231T212150Z
CREATED:20231231T212150Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231231T212150Z
UID:10000164-1709665200-1709668800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:How to Communicate in Writing with Grandchildren
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-to-communicate-in-writing-with-grandchildren/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Aviva-Black.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240324
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240325
DTSTAMP:20240311T190605Z
CREATED:20240311T190424Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T190605Z
UID:10000089-1711238400-1711324799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Purim
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/purim-3/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Purim-2024.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240327T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240327T200000
DTSTAMP:20240308T165940Z
CREATED:20240202T001018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240308T165940Z
UID:10000087-1711566000-1711569600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Why the Jews? Understanding Antisemitism
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/why-the-jews-understanding-antisemitism/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Brendan-Murphy.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240416T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240416T201500
DTSTAMP:20240416T141031Z
CREATED:20240201T202242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240416T141031Z
UID:10000165-1713294000-1713298500@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Welcome to the Seder: Grandparents' Role in Embracing ALL Family Members at Passover
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/welcome-to-the-seder-grandparents-role-in-embracing-all-family-members-at-passover/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rabbi-Jessica-Lowenthal.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240422
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240423
DTSTAMP:20240311T213018Z
CREATED:20240311T211850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T213018Z
UID:10000090-1713744000-1713830399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Passover\, first seder
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/passover-first-seder-2/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Passover-the-first-seder.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240423
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240424
DTSTAMP:20240311T212505Z
CREATED:20240311T212416Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T212505Z
UID:10000091-1713830400-1713916799@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-2/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Passover-the-first-day.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240515T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240515T200000
DTSTAMP:20240323T222319Z
CREATED:20240323T222319Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240323T222319Z
UID:10000092-1715799600-1715803200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:How Grandparents Can Play with Infants and Young Grandchildren
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-grandparents-can-play-with-infants-and-young-grandchildren/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dr.-Betsy-Diamant-Cohen.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240605T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240605T200000
DTSTAMP:20240418T180737Z
CREATED:20240418T180737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240418T180737Z
UID:10000093-1717614000-1717617600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:The Power of Grandparent-Grandchild Interactions: Learning from and Teaching Each Other
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/the-power-of-grandparent-grandchild-interactions-learning-from-and-teaching-each-other/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Power-of-Grandparent-Grandchild-Interactions.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240612
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240614
DTSTAMP:20240509T102023Z
CREATED:20230428T152737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240509T102023Z
UID:10000138-1718150400-1718323199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Shavuot
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/shavuot-2/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shavuot.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240619
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240620
DTSTAMP:20240617T144033Z
CREATED:20240614T155804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240617T144033Z
UID:10000094-1718755200-1718841599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Juneteenth National Independence Day
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/juneteenth/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Juneteenth-Calendar-Event-Image.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240704
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240705
DTSTAMP:20240617T154744Z
CREATED:20240617T154744Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240617T154744Z
UID:10000095-1720051200-1720137599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:July 4
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/july-4/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Happy-July-4th.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240904T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240904T140000
DTSTAMP:20240821T135657Z
CREATED:20240819T150435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240821T135657Z
UID:10000167-1725454800-1725458400@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Coffee Talk with the Chief Zayde Officer
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/coffee-talk-with-the-chief-zayde-officer/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Coffee-Talk-with-the-Chief-Zayde-Officer.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240917T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240917T200000
DTSTAMP:20240715T182837Z
CREATED:20240715T182837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240715T182837Z
UID:10000096-1726599600-1726603200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:How Play with Grandchildren Can Bring Out the Sweetness of the High Holidays
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-play-with-grandchildren-can-bring-out-the-sweetness-of-the-high-holidays/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sari-Kopitnikoff.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240917T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240917T203000
DTSTAMP:20240722T141217Z
CREATED:20240722T141217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240722T141217Z
UID:10000097-1726603200-1726605000@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Talkback for Professionals: How Play with Grandchildren Can Bring Out the Sweetness of the High Holidays
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/talkback-for-professionals-how-play-with-grandchildren-can-bring-out-the-sweetness-of-the-high-holidays/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Talkback-for-Professionals-How-Play-with-Grandchildren-Can-Bring-Out-the-Sweetness-of-the-High-Holidays-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240925T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240925T134500
DTSTAMP:20240913T204945Z
CREATED:20240913T204945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240913T204945Z
UID:10000169-1727269200-1727271900@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:One Year Since October 7: How to Talk with Your Teen Grandchildren
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/one-year-since-october-7-how-to-talk-with-your-teen-grandchildren/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/One-Year-Since-October-7_How-to-Talk-with-Your-Teen-Grandchildren.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241003
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241005
DTSTAMP:20240710T181956Z
CREATED:20230710T174921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240710T181956Z
UID:10000142-1727913600-1728086399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Rosh Hashanah
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/rosh-hashanah-2023/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rosh-Hashanah-September-16-17.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241011
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241012
DTSTAMP:20240710T182737Z
CREATED:20230710T181135Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240710T182737Z
UID:10000145-1728604800-1728691199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidrei)
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-yom-kippur-kol-nidrei/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241012
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241013
DTSTAMP:20240926T144504Z
CREATED:20230710T180618Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240926T144504Z
UID:10000143-1728691200-1728777599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Yom Kippur
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/yom-kippur-3/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Yom-Kippur-Calendar-Event.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241015T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241015T200000
DTSTAMP:20240814T180136Z
CREATED:20240814T160710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240814T180136Z
UID:10000166-1729018800-1729022400@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Let There Be Play: Bringing the Torah to Life with Grandchildren
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/let-there-be-play-bringing-the-torah-to-life-with-grandchildren/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Let-There-Be-Play_Bringing-the-Torah-to-Life-with-Grandchildren.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241015T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241015T203000
DTSTAMP:20240826T164153Z
CREATED:20240826T163923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240826T164153Z
UID:10000168-1729022400-1729024200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Talkback for Professionals: Let There Be Play — Bringing the Torah to Life with Grandchildren
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/talkback-for-professionals-let-there-be-play-bringing-the-torah-to-life-with-grandchildren/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Talkback-for-Professionals_Let-There-Be-Play_Bringing-the-Torah-to-Life-with-Grandchildren-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241017
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241018
DTSTAMP:20241007T200916Z
CREATED:20241007T141654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241007T200916Z
UID:10000171-1729123200-1729209599@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-4/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SUKKOT-Grandparent-and-grandchild-courtesy-of-Union-for-Reform-Judaism.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241024
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241025
DTSTAMP:20241007T200856Z
CREATED:20241007T142503Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241007T200856Z
UID:10000172-1729728000-1729814399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (Liberal)
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/shmini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah-liberal/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SIMCHAT-TORAH-Child-Torah-courtesy-of-the-Union-for-Reform-Judaism.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241025
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241026
DTSTAMP:20241007T200756Z
CREATED:20241007T142922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241007T200756Z
UID:10000173-1729814400-1729900799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Simchat Torah (Traditional)
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-traditional/
CATEGORIES:Holidays
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SIMCHAT-TORAH-Rolling-the-Torah-photographer-Stephanie-Fink.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241112T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241112T200000
DTSTAMP:20240925T145328Z
CREATED:20240924T154308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240925T145328Z
UID:10000170-1731438000-1731441600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Grandparents\, Tell Your Story to the Next Generation: How to Pass on Your Legacy
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/grandparents-tell-your-story-to-the-next-generation/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Justin-Mertes.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241210T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241210T201500
DTSTAMP:20241030T164112Z
CREATED:20241022T161004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241030T164112Z
UID:10000174-1733857200-1733861700@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Navigating Hanukkah in Multifaith Families: A Grandparenting Conversation
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/navigating-hanukkah-in-multifaith-families-a-grandparenting-conversation/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Navigating-Hanukkah-in-Multifaith-Families-A-Grandparenting-Conversation-Calendar-Event.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250115T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250115T200000
DTSTAMP:20241223T222405Z
CREATED:20241112T210604Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241223T222405Z
UID:10000175-1736967600-1736971200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Filling the Empty Chair: Honoring and remembering grandparents and loved ones who have died
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/filling-the-empty-chair-honoring-and-remembering-grandparents-and-loved-ones-who-have-died/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
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;TZID=America/New_York:20250226T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250226T203000
DTSTAMP:20250113T161521Z
CREATED:20241223T215204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250113T161521Z
UID:10000176-1740596400-1740601800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:The Art of Becoming: Finding Creativity\, Meaning\, and Identity as Grandparents
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-art-of-becoming-finding-creativity-meaning-and-identity-as-grandparents/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Art-of-Becoming-Finding-Creativity-Meaning-and-Identity-as-Grandparents-2.26.25.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250305T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250305T171500
DTSTAMP:20250122T144706Z
CREATED:20250121T172216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250122T144706Z
UID:10000178-1741190400-1741194900@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Grandparents and Jewish Early Childhood Programs: Partners in Building Jewish Family Life
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/grandparents-and-jewish-early-childhood-programs-partners-in-building-jewish-family-life/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Grandparents-and-Jewish-Early-Childhood-Programs_Partners-in-Building-Jewish-Family-Life.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR