Jewish Grandparents Network

Passover, first day
2024-04-23
Passover (Pesach in Hebrew), one of the most significant and widely celebrated holidays in the Jewish calendar, commemorates the story of the Israelites’ Exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom.
Traditionally, Passover is celebrated for eight days; liberal Jews celebrate for seven.

Passover, first seder
2024-04-22
Passover, the Festival of Freedom, begins tonight with the first seder.
Grandparents and families can enjoy a fun-filled and easy-to-follow Passover Discovery Kit available to download from the Jewish Grandparents Network website. This interactive guide is designed especially for grandparents and grandchildren (ages 3–8) to use together — either in person or at a distance.
The kit offers ideas and activities to bring Passover to life through play, imagination, and hands-on discovery.
Download the free Passover Discovery Kit (Just enter your email.)

Welcome to the Seder: Grandparents' Role in Embracing ALL Family Members at Passover
2024-04-16 19:00 - 20:15 (America/New_York)
For many families, the Passover seder is the ultimate annual Jewish family ritual. Grandparents are often the hosts and leaders of the family seder. How can grandparents welcome all participants, in all their diversity, at the seder so that all feel comfortable and enriched?
Join JGN and 18Doors to discover how you can take the lead in welcoming and embracing family members and other guests of different faiths and cultures to create a joyful, engaging experience for all participants. Rabbi Jessica Lowenthal will share practical ideas so that this year’s seder celebrates the Exodus and freedom in a way that resonates for all.
Note: This session assumes families already know how to run a seder. It is not a Passover how-to. The purpose is to enhance families’ existing seder traditions.
You will leave with ideas to validate, support, and respect all the ways families can make personal meaning of Passover. We invite your participation in the session and encourage you to send your questions in advance to Terry Kaye: te***@***********************rk.org
REGISTER HERE

Why the Jews? Understanding Antisemitism
2024-03-27 19:00 - 20:00
Wednesday, March 27 AND Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 7:00–8:00 pm ET
Recently, grandparents have asked JGN how to understand and address antisemitism with their grandchildren. In this two-part series, grandparents will experience a multimedia introduction to the roots of antisemitism from the development of Christian anti-Judaism to modern antisemitism. We invite you to include your own children and grandchildren ages 15+.
The workshop, led by educator and historian Brendan Murphy, will take place on Zoom over two meetings, each session for one hour. There is no fee to attend. After you register, you are welcome to share the Zoom link with your own family.
Learning the history of antisemitism is crucial for promoting tolerance, preventing discrimination, and fostering a society that values diversity and human rights. It allows us to learn from the mistakes of the past and work towards building a more inclusive and equitable future.
REGISTER HERE

Purim
2024-03-24
Purim is a joyous one-day holiday (begins the evening of Saturday, March 23, 2024) that celebrates Jewish survival.
Customs include reading Megillat Esther, dressing up in costume, giving gifts of food, and giving to those in need.

How to Communicate in Writing with Grandchildren
2024-03-05 19:00 - 20:00
Every time grandparents communicate with grandchildren — especially in writing — they teach something about themselves, their values, and their view of the world. Words to grandchildren have the power to soothe and stroke, influence and inspire, and move to action.
Aviva Black, founder of Family Love Letters, will share ways to capture our feelings for our grandchildren on paper, preserve memories for future generations, and connect with grandchildren through easy-access writing — postcards, birthday cards, e-greetings, even notes in school lunch boxes.
This session is ideal if you:

Think you are not a good writer yet want to send a deeper message to your grandchild than printed greeting cards.
Wish you could write heartfelt messages that your grandkids will relate to and cherish.
Want to chronicle how you feel about your grandchildren and the time you spend with them.
Together we will practice a few short writing exercises.

REGISTER HERE

Finding Ways to Reconnect with Estranged Children and Grandchildren
2024-02-06 19:00 - 20:00
It is never easy to reopen a connection with estranged children and grandchildren. Grandparents struggle daily to know what to say or write in an email or a text to their children and grandchildren to repair the relationship.
Conscious Communication is the key technique Dr. Sue Cornbluth teaches her clients to help them reconnect with their loved ones. Conscious communication means choosing to listen with understanding and not defensiveness. In this webinar, Dr. Sue will share with us her breakthrough communication techniques for beginning the process of reconnecting with your estranged children and grandchildren.
This presentation is for anyone who has grandchildren ranging in age from toddler to adulthood.
REGISTER HERE
We invite you to send your questions in advance to Terry Kaye, te***@***********************rk.org
This event is presented by the Jewish Grandparents Academy in partnership with Grandparents Academy. Learn more about Grandparents Academy: https://www.grandparentsacademy.com/

How to Bring Shabbat to Life with Grandchildren
2024-01-16 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for a fun hands-on workshop with master Jewish educator and theater artist Jonathan Shmidt Chapman who will present a range of activities that use creativity, drama, and play to activate the weekly celebration of Shabbat with children ages 3–8.
Grandparents and families will enjoy Jonathan’s brand-new and easy-to-follow Shabbat Discovery Kit, available to download for free from the Jewish Grandparents Network website. We will send participants the link to download the kit by January 5, 2024.
We will include resources on how to use the provided activities through FaceTime or Zoom for grandparents who live at a distance.
FOR PROFESSIONALS:
Following this main event, we invite Jewish professionals to stay on for a half-hour talkback.
JGN’s Director of Community Engagement Avery Markel will facilitate a deeper conversation about how to take these activities back to your community, such as:

Adapting the experiences to strengthen intergenerational families’ home Shabbat celebration.
Reimagining your early childhood in-class Shabbat celebration.
Creating a more inclusive and well-attended Tot Shabbat.

REGISTER HERE

New Year’s Day
2024-01-01

Christmas
2023-12-25
Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik.

Hanukkah Celebration with Grandparents and Grandchildren in the US and Israel
2023-12-10 11:00 - 12:00
Featuring Israeli artist Hanoch Piven
Hosted by: The Jewish Agency for Israel, Global Partnership2Gether Network and the Jewish Grandparents Network
Join grandparents, grandchildren, and family members in Israel and across North America for a joyful Hanukkah gathering.

Welcome by Doron Almog, Chairman, the Jewish Agency.
Lighting the 4th Hanukkah candle, joining together in a prayer for peace, and singing Hanukkah songs with US musician Naomi Less.
A creative art activity with acclaimed Israeli artist Hanoch Piven focusing on heroes in our lives.

REGISTER HERE

Hanukkah (light first candle evening Dec 7)
2023-12-08 - 2023-12-15
Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight days.
We light hanukkiyot (Hanukkah menorahs), spin dreidels, eat latkes, and often celebrate with family and friends.
Explore more about Hanukkah here.
Enjoy JGN’s Hanukkah Discovery Kit.
Art by Deborah Zemke

Hanukkah 1st candle
2023-12-07

At a Distance: Practical and Meaningful Ways to Build Relationships with Your Grandchildren Who Live Far Away
2023-12-05 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for a unique presentation from the Founder of The Long Distance Grandparent, Kerry Byrne, PhD, about how to create and nurture strong bonds from a distance.
Grandchildren need their grandparents now more than ever. Please join us for this inspiring session, complete with demonstrations and a follow-up guide that you can start using immediately to strengthen bonds and show-up in ways that matter most for your grandchildren.
REGISTER HERE

Thanksgiving Day
2023-11-24
Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, celebrating the blessings of the past year. Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and express gratitude for what we have.

Navigating Antisemitism Today: Guidance and Support for Parents of Young Children
2023-11-16 20:00 - 21:00
For parents and grandparents of children under 10 years old
Thursday, November 16, 8:00 pm ETREGISTER HERE
Dr. Betsy StoneBetsy Stone, a retired psychologist, is an engaging speaker whose passion for wellness in the lives of families has brought her invitations to teach throughout North America and Europe. She leads groups for clergy, as they navigate the complexities of their personal and professional roles, as well as serving as a Scholar in Residence for Congregations and Clergy groups.

You're a Grandparent! A Personal Jewish Ritual to Mark Your New Role
2023-11-16 19:00 - 20:00
Whether you became a grandparent yesterday or years ago, it is likely that much has changed — including your own role in the family, your relationship with the parents of your grandchild, and your view of your place in the world and your legacy.
Led by Rabbi Amalia Mark of Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh, we will share our life experience as we explore the ways becoming a grandparent has changed you. Then, we will mark this Shehecheyanu moment with a short, at-home water ceremony based on the ancient Jewish ritual of mikveh, bringing together body, heart, and soul.
REGISTER HERE

Meeting the Moment: Antisemitism and Your Children
2023-11-13 13:00 - 14:00
For parents and grandparents of tweens and teens
Monday, November 13, 1:00 pm ETREGISTER HERE
Dr. Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath, Ed.D. Dr. Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath, Ed.D., is the Senior Director of Knowledge, Ideas and Learning at The Jewish Education Project. She is the author of #antisemitism: Coming of Age During the Resurgence of Hate, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award in the category of Education and Jewish Identity.

Facing Crisis in Israel: Talking with Our Grandchildren about Difficult Times
2023-10-18 12:00 - 13:00
The recent terrorist attacks in Israel and the potential for a major war with Hamas is frightening to all of us — and it may be especially difficult for our grandchildren. In this session, Dr. Sharona Maital will discuss the similarities and differences in the ways we and our grandchildren experience crises. Based on her extensive experience working with children in Israel, especially in times of crisis, including now, Dr. Maital will present resources that promote resilience. She will offer some practical tips for talking with our children about these terrible events. There will be an opportunity for participants to share their thoughts and feelings and to practice some of the techniques to promote open communication with our grandchildren.
REGISTER HERE

How Emotions Affect Your Grandchild’s Behavior (and What You Can Do About It)
2023-10-17 19:00 - 20:00
Join JGN and Patty Wipfler, founder of Hand in Hand Parenting, as we discuss the new things we’re learning about what young children most need from those who love them. We’ll talk about young children’s behavior, how to decode it, and how to respond in ways that help them surmount the emotional hurdles in their lives. We’ll also talk about supporting your adult children who are doing the best job of parenting they know how.
REGISTER HERE

Simchat Torah (Conservative)
2023-10-08

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
2023-10-07
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated together on one day by Reform Jews and over two days by Conservative Jews.
We celebrate the completion of the annual cycle of reading the Torah.
The holiday begins the evening of October 6.
Read more about Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah here.
Photograph courtesy of the Union for Reform Judaism

Sukkot
2023-09-30 - 2023-10-06
The festive holiday of Sukkot is named for the booths or huts (sukkot in Hebrew) in which, according to Jewish tradition, the Israelites dwelt during their forty years of wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt.
Sukkot starts the evening of September 29 and concludes on October 6.
Read more about Sukkot here.
Photograph courtesy of Seth Buchbinder

Erev Rosh Hashanah
2023-09-15

How to Talk with Grandchildren About Death and Dying
2023-09-12 19:00 - 20:00
Join JGN and Rabbi Melanie Levav, Executive Director of the Shomer Collective, as we discuss ways to have developmentally appropriate conversations with children of all ages about preparing for a loved one’s long–term illness or the dying and death of any living being we care about.
We invite you to share your questions in advance. Please submit to Terry Kaye, te***@***********************rk.org by August 14, 2023.
REGISTER HERE

Labor Day
2023-09-04
Labor Day recognizes the contributions of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It marks the unofficial end of summer.

Independence Day
2023-07-04
July 4 is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The Joys and Oys of Multifaith Families: How Grandparents Can Find the Blessings and Navigate the Challenges
2023-06-06 19:00 - 20:00
Our multifaith families can bring new traditions and rich experiences to our family life. For some, they can also bring challenges and stress.
Join Dr. Ruth Nemzoff, affiliated scholar at Brandeis Women’s Studies Research Center, for a nuanced view of the ways multiple faiths can enrich family life — and how to address the challenges.
We invite you to send us your own questions that you’d like Dr. Nemzoff to address. We will draw a few questions to include in the session. Please let us know if you’d like to keep your question anonymous. Please send to Terry Kaye, te***@***********************rk.org
REGISTER HERE

The Torah of Being a Grandparent: How We Live our Values
2023-05-09 19:00 - 20:00
Jane Shapiro, master Jewish educator and grandparent, ignites our own loving self-reflection in her short video Torah of Bubbiehood. In this session based on Jane’s video, we will celebrate the theme and spirit of Shavuot as we discuss:

The significance of your own grandparent name.
Jane’s 3 mitzvot or values of Bubbiehood
The values you live by in your own relationship with your grandchildren and family.

REGISTER HERE

Israel’s Independence Day
2023-04-26
Today is Yom Ha’atzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day. 75 years ago, in 1948, Israel became an independent state.
