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.
Activities
Write the Aleph Bet in Ktav Ashuri
Celebrate the giving of the Torah by experiencing the work of a sofer.
Activities
Make a Garland
A sukkah looks so elegant with a garland of branches, leaves, fruit slices, and flowers strung across its ceiling and cascading down the sides of its entrance.
Recipes
Beautify Your Sukkah
Sukkot is further enhanced by beautifying the sukkah. Some of the loveliest sukkah decorations come from nature!
Activities
Build Your Own Foraged Sukkah
For me, Sukkot always include a visit to a park or the woods.
Activities
Make a Fish Print
Bring the story of Jonah and the fish to life by making your own Gyotaku print. If you prefer not to use a real fish, use a realistic rubber fish to make your impression!
Recipes
Press Your Own Grape Juice
You can have a lot of fun pressing your own grape juice for Shabbat.
Recipes
Bake Your Own Challah
The way to make Shabbat truly memorable is to stimulate all of the senses.
Activities
Make Your Own Lunar Journal
One wonderful way to connect with nature in anticipation of Rosh Hashanah is to spend the summer observing the moon.
Recipes
Best Honey Cakes for Family and Friends
Home-baked goodies make the best gifts! Show your family and friends that you are thinking of them by baking Rosh Hashanah honey cakes for them.
Activities
Make a Havdalah Spice Sachet
Dry spices have their own mystique. More than 2,000 years ago cinnamon and other spices came from China to the Near East.
Activities
Host a Honey Tasting
It is possible to purchase a whole honeycomb or a piece of one. Show your children and guests how the bees store their honey!