Learn by doing.
Hands On Jewish Holidays
When I was a new mother I needed to step up to the challenge of transmitting Judaism to my kids. Much of what I found around me was not very inspiring. I needed to come up with creative ways to engage them. Here is a compilation of how we immersed ourselves in the Jewish holidays. We are all children at heart. I hope these recipes and activities inspires you to engage with the Jewish holidays in a creative and meaningful way.
The important thing is the process, not the end product.
Recipes
Israeli Passover Chocolate Roll
When the Israelites left Egypt more than 3,300 years ago, they were in a bit of a hurry and didn’t wait around for their bread to rise. Observant Jews still commemorate their exodus by skipping the leavening during the eight days of Passover. Regular flour is not used in food preparation for fear that it may have come into contact with water, thereby activating the rising process. I see baking without flour made from grain as an opportunity for creativity. In that spirit, here is an Israeli recipe that complies with the special rules of Passover.
Activities
Decorate Miriam’s Tambourine
Celebrate the liberation of the Ancient Israelites from slavery by decorating Miriam’s tambourine. Make sure to make some noise during the Seder!
Activities
Make Your Own Tu Bishvat Terrarium
Marvel at the beauty of how a seed transforms into a plant by making your own mini greenhouse in a glass jar.
Activities
Homemade Chanukah Gelt
Did you know that the Hasmoneans minted the first Jewish coins in history?
Those ancient bronze coins have been reinvented as Chanukah Gelt, chocolate treats we eat during Chanukah. These mass-marketed Chanukah coins are beautifully molded and add a festive touch to the festivities. This year, you can get creative and have fun making your own gourmet chocolate gelt for your Chanukah celebration.
Recipes
Chocolate-Dipped Heart-Shaped Cookies
Every celebration is better with some freshly baked desserts. Chocolate is traditional for the day of love.
Recipes
Persian Saffron Love Tea
Prepare a Love Potion!
Activities
Build A Model of the Temple In Jerusalem
Simon Bar Kochba led the Second Revolt of Judea against the Roman Empire. He created an independent Jewish state in Judea.
Recipes
Make Your Own Ice Cream In A Bag
It is traditional to serve dairy specialties for Shavuot. This is a reminder that the Land of Israel is “a land flowing with milk and honey,” (Exodus 33:3).
Recipes
Bake A Symbolic Shavuot Challah: Pan de Siete Cielos
People who stay up all night studying during the Tikkun Leil Shavuot enjoy sweet snacks to help them stay awake. There is one very special type of Shavuot treat that almost disappeared during the Holocaust. It is a Sephardic recipe from the Jewish community of Salonika.
Activities
Make Your Own Bow & Arrow
Children can reenact the guerrilla warfare between Bar Kokhba’s forces and the Roman Legio X Fretensis with bows and arrows made from sticks.
Recipes
Bonfire Roasted Potatoes
Enjoy a dinner under the stars. Roast some treats in the embers of your bonfire. The traditional Israeli Lag Ba’Omer picnic is very simple.
Recipes
Bake Your Own Matzah
Matzah is also called the bread of affliction. It is a type of flatbread. When the Israelites prepared to flee Egypt, they mixed and baked the dough so quickly that it did not have time to rise.