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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220605
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UID:10000077-1654387200-1654473599@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/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220604
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220605
DTSTAMP:20220531T162333Z
CREATED:20220531T162333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220531T162333Z
UID:10000118-1654300800-1654387199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Bamidbar– family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-bamidbar-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220604
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220605
DTSTAMP:20220516T012218Z
CREATED:20220516T012218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220516T012218Z
UID:10000111-1654300800-1654387199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Erev 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/erev-shavuot/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220530
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220531
DTSTAMP:20220115T021206Z
CREATED:20220115T021206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220115T021206Z
UID:10000066-1653868800-1653955199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Memorial 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/memorial-day/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220528
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220529
DTSTAMP:20220531T162553Z
CREATED:20220516T104956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220531T162553Z
UID:10000116-1653696000-1653782399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Bechukotai – family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-bechukotai-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220524
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220525
DTSTAMP:20220516T012824Z
CREATED:20220516T012636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220516T012824Z
UID:10000113-1653350400-1653436799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Grandparent Story Contest: Winning Submission Performed Live
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/grandparent-story-contest-winning-submission-performed-live/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220521
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220522
DTSTAMP:20220531T162723Z
CREATED:20220516T104758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220531T162723Z
UID:10000115-1653091200-1653177599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Behar – family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-behar-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220519
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220520
DTSTAMP:20220116T201405Z
CREATED:20220116T201405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220116T201405Z
UID:10000076-1652918400-1653004799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Lag Ba'Omer
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/lag-baomer/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220514
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220515
DTSTAMP:20220425T150727Z
CREATED:20220425T150727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220425T150727Z
UID:10000110-1652486400-1652572799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Emor – family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-emor-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220508
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220509
DTSTAMP:20220516T012924Z
CREATED:20220516T012924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220516T012924Z
UID:10000114-1651968000-1652054399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Mother's Day
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/mothers-day-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220507
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220508
DTSTAMP:20220425T150826Z
CREATED:20220425T150154Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220425T150826Z
UID:10000109-1651881600-1651967999@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Kedoshim– family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-kedoshim-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220505
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220506
DTSTAMP:20220116T200949Z
CREATED:20220116T200949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220116T200949Z
UID:10000075-1651708800-1651795199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel 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/yom-haatzmaut-israel-independence-day/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220504
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220505
DTSTAMP:20220116T200851Z
CREATED:20220116T200851Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220116T200851Z
UID:10000074-1651622400-1651708799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Yom Hazikaron (Israel Memorial Day)
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/yom-hazikaron-israel-memorial-day/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220430
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220501
DTSTAMP:20220425T150342Z
CREATED:20220425T145815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220425T150342Z
UID:10000108-1651276800-1651363199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Acharei Mot– family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-acharei-mot-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220428
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220429
DTSTAMP:20220116T200324Z
CREATED:20220116T200324Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220116T200324Z
UID:10000073-1651104000-1651190399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day)
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/yom-hashoah-holocaust-memorial-day/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220426T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220426T200000
DTSTAMP:20220405T144923Z
CREATED:20220405T144749Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220405T144923Z
UID:10000106-1650999600-1651003200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Why Your Grandchildren Need Great Role Models
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-your-grandchildren-need-great-role-models/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220413T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220413T140000
DTSTAMP:20220301T174356Z
CREATED:20220301T174320Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220301T174356Z
UID:10000099-1649854800-1649858400@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Q&A Session for L’Dor Va’Dor: Affirming and Loving Your Transgender\, Non-Binary\, and Gender Expansive Grandchildren
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/optional-qa-session-for-ldor-vador-affirming-and-loving-your-transgender-non-binary-and-gender-expansive-grandchildren/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220409
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220410
DTSTAMP:20220419T132910Z
CREATED:20220419T132910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220419T132910Z
UID:10000107-1649462400-1649548799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Metzora – family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-metzora-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220404T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220404T170000
DTSTAMP:20220301T175122Z
CREATED:20220301T173444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220301T175122Z
UID:10000038-1649088000-1649091600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:L’Dor Va’Dor: Affirming and Loving Your Transgender\, Non-Binary\, and Gender Expansive Grandchildren
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/ldor-vador-affirming-and-loving-your-transgender-non-binary-and-gender-expansive-grandchildren/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220403
DTSTAMP:20220326T203619Z
CREATED:20220326T203619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220326T203619Z
UID:10000105-1648857600-1648943999@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Tazria – family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-tazria-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220330T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220330T170000
DTSTAMP:20220301T175545Z
CREATED:20220301T175423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220301T175545Z
UID:10000100-1648656000-1648659600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Q&A Session for Creating Safe & Affirming Spaces for Our Grandchildren: Addressing Racism\, Transphobia\, and Lack of Disabilities Inclusion in Our Communities
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/qa-session-for-creating-safe-affirming-spaces-for-our-grandchildren-addressing-racism-transphobia-and-lack-of-disabilities-inclusion-in-our-communities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T200000
DTSTAMP:20220324T153137Z
CREATED:20220323T113733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220324T153137Z
UID:10000102-1648580400-1648584000@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Grandparents\, Bring Your Family Seder to 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-bring-your-family-seder-to-life/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220326T120744
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220326T120744
DTSTAMP:20220226T202219Z
CREATED:20220226T202219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220226T202219Z
UID:10000028-1648296464-1648296464@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Mother's Day
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/mothers-day/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220326
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220327
DTSTAMP:20220326T203232Z
CREATED:20220326T203026Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220326T203232Z
UID:10000103-1648252800-1648339199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Shemini – family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-shemini-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220319
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220320
DTSTAMP:20220326T203429Z
CREATED:20220326T203416Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220326T203429Z
UID:10000104-1647648000-1647734399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Tzav – family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-tzav-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220317
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220318
DTSTAMP:20220115T020042Z
CREATED:20220115T020042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220115T020042Z
UID:10000063-1647475200-1647561599@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/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220316
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220317
DTSTAMP:20220223T132505Z
CREATED:20220223T132505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220223T132505Z
UID:10000026-1647388800-1647475199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Erev 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/erev-purim/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220315T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220315T203000
DTSTAMP:20220301T175908Z
CREATED:20220301T160559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220301T175908Z
UID:10000032-1647370800-1647376200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Creating Safe & Affirming Spaces for Our Grandchildren: Addressing Racism\, Transphobia\, and Lack of Disabilities Inclusion in Our Communities
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/creating-safe-affirming-spaces-for-our-grandchildren-addressing-racism-transphobia-and-lack-of-disabilities-inclusion-in-our-communities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220312
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220313
DTSTAMP:20220301T171126Z
CREATED:20220301T171126Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220301T171126Z
UID:10000036-1647043200-1647129599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:Parashat Hashavua (Portion of the Week) Vayikra – family activities
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/parashat-hashavua-portion-of-the-week-vayikra-family-activities/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220306T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220306T200000
DTSTAMP:20220303T142934Z
CREATED:20220303T142934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220303T142934Z
UID:10000101-1646593200-1646596800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org
SUMMARY:War in Ukraine What Should We Know and How Should We Talk to Our Grandchildren About It
DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Read a personal note from the author below. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time 				\n				\n				\n				\n									Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									4. Use the power of the senses								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									7. Listen to them — and learn from them								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									9. Model kindness and repairing the world								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Afterthought				\n				\n				\n				\n									The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					A Personal Note from the Author				\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n									I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels
URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/war-in-ukraine-what-should-we-know-and-how-should-we-talk-to-our-grandchildren-about-it/
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