in Your Home Created by Miriam Feinberg Early Childhood Consultant My Jewish Home january,­ 2012 — tevet-shevat, 5772

Dear Parents,

What makes a Jewish home Jewish? On mezuzot and tzedakah boxes displayed in obvious and , the home takes on a Jewish places, express and are learning tools personality, expressing choices of the family living for children about family values. there. Even on ordinary days though, the Jewish home can express many reminders of its Giving tzedakah () is a identity, with the display of items such as fundamental . Tzedakah candlesticks, books, seder plates, artwork, boxes have a special place in the , Jewish calendars, tzedakah Jewish home. They are often placed boxes, the , and most importantly, next to Shabbat candlesticks so with Jewish language and activities. family members can empty their pockets of loose change just before A mezuzah on the doorpost tells us that a Shabbat candle-lighting. Making the Jewish family lives in that home. Some visitors tzedakah box visible demonstrates and its residents like to pause, touch the the importance of sharing with mezuzah and kiss the hand that touched it. those less fortunate, whether it is on Shabbat or on a weekday. Books are important to . Books in Jewish homes tend to be Jewish; Listening to Jewish music, prayer books, Hebrew dictionaries, played in the home and in the books, cookbooks, coffee- table art and photography books and car, sets the stage for thinking, children’s books. At the same time, feeling and talking about Jewish family members’ secular interests, topics, by adults and children. expressed through related book choices, demonstrates the centrality of education What is the “Jewish language” to living a Jewish life. of the family? Setting the “Jewish stage”, with ritual objects and items Displaying and using Jewish ritual that express the family’s values, items expresses the family’s ritual habits. prepares for family activities such as Jewish family treasures, received as ongoing discussions, questions and or purchased on trips, as well as objects hands-on involvement. Language can created by the children, are often have the most meaningful and lasting meaningful and connected to Jewish influence on residents of the Jewish home, experiences. Shabbat candlesticks, leading to tangible expressions of Jewish a Chanukkiah (Chanukah menorah), identity. Page Two CELEBRATE IN YOUR HOME January, 2012 My Jewish Home Tevet-Shevat, 5772

HAVING FUN AT HOME The Mezuzah

A commandment instructs to ¼-inch thickness. Wrap the foil Blessed are You, The Lord our us to hang a mezuzah on around the pencil (to make it easier God, Ruler of the universe, our doorpost to remind us of to remove the pencil from the dough who sanctifies us with holy God’s oneness and presence when finished). Shape the dough commandments and commands and of our duty to fulfill God’s around the end of the us to hang a mezuzah. commandments. A mezuzah is a pencil, flattening and sacred parchment (klaf) coming smoothing it to a long, This blessing is recited from a kosher species of animal, narrow rectangle and only once for hanging all and inscribed, by hand, in Hebrew. closing off the bottom the mezuzot in the house, It contains two portions from end. Extra dough and is usually done when should be added the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9: hanging the mezuzah to extend one-inch beginning with “Hear O , the on the front door. After beyond both ends of Lord is our God, the Lord is One,” reciting the blessing, no the cylinder. and ending with “And you shall words are spoken until Place the dough inscribe these words upon the all mezuzot are hung on a flat surface and doorposts of your house and upon throughout the house. press down to make your gates.”). One is affixed to it flat enough to lie the doorpost of each room in the Hang the mezuzah: against the wall when • on the right doorpost as home, except for the bathroom. hung as a mezuzah. one enters the room. Some might be home-made while Pull the pencil out through the top • two-thirds of the way up the others might be professionally opening. Using the pencil point, doorpost (shoulder height). crafted. poke a hole in the top and bottom • in a slightly slanted position so extensions so the mezuzah case can that the top points toward the MAKING A MEZUZAH be attached by nails to a door frame. inside of the room. Materials If you used oven-bake clay, oven-bake clay bake the mezuzah, following manufacturer’s directions. If you used With your child: After she has (OR the next 3 items below) chosen or made a mezuzah, hang ½ cup flour ingredients listed above, air dry or bake the mezuzah in a 200-degree it on the doorpost of her room, in a ¼ cup salt location that is easy for her to reach. ¼ cup hot water oven for about 2 hours. a few drops of food coloring (optional) Paint or decorate it with poster poster paints (optional) paints and “varnish” it with floor wax paint brush (optional) or hair spray, (your choice). Purchase PLAYING GAMES a klaf at a Jewish bookstore. Roll the a pencil klaf and slip it into the open center a small piece of aluminum foil Count The Jewish Things of the mezuzah. Your mezuzah is floor wax or hair spray ready to be hung. a klaf (the scroll containing the With your child: Walk around your house naming and counting Hebrew prayer that is placed Hanging A Mezuzah inside the mezuzah case) as many Jewish items as you It’s fun and memorable to can find (mezuzot, menorahs, With your child: Using either conduct a special ceremony as a Shabbat candlesticks, books oven-bake clay, or after combining mezuzah is put into place. Before with Hebrew writing, a Jewish flour, salt, affixing it to a doorpost, calendar). How many are there? and water, say the following Count them. knead for blessing: about 5 Count The Mezuzot minutes. Add Baruch ata Adonai food coloring Eloheinu Melech Ha- With your child: Visit a if desired. With olam asher kidshanu or a Jewish Community a rolling pin, b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu Center and count the number of roll the dough likbo-a mezuzah. mezuzot you see there. Page Three CELEBRATE IN YOUR HOME January, 2012 My Jewish Home Tevet-Shevat, 5772

MORE FUN AT HOME Tzedakah

What Do Children Think About Tzedakah? choose a special regular time to add to the box They’re naturally concerned with fairness and equity in and make it a routine. As giving tzedakah becomes their daily interactions with siblings and peers. (“Why ritualized, it becomes instinctive behavior. did more than me?”) Struggles to understand ethical behavior direct their Choosing and giving to a recipient can questions on issues of . take work. Speak with friends, your child’s (“Which things are okay to do teacher, your , or anyone else you think and which are not?”) These might be able to help you find an appropriate offer wonderful discussion tzedakah recipient. Include your child in opportunities as we talk with the decision making process. When the box them about justice from a feels heavy, empty it and help her count the Jewish point of view (tzedakah)! collected money. She can draw a picture or write a note to send along with the . The Hebrew word, tzedakah, Ask for an acknowledgement, so that she while translated to English feels a sense of accomplishment in having as “charity,” actually means seen this project to its end. justice, and refers to the religious obligation to perform philanthropic acts. The Torah MAKING A TZEDAKAH BOX teaches us “justice, justice, Materials shall you pursue” (Deuteronomy an empty, clean can or box, with the plastic 16:20). Children can be lid (make sure the container does not have sensitized to injustice, as they sharp edges). observe the world around them. And they can be 1 sheet of colorful construction paper enabled to correct some of those injustices through Elmers glue their own actions as they realize that by sharing some scissors of their own money they can make a difference. sparkles craft knife (to be used ONLY by an adult) Discuss injustice with your child and the way it appears in her world. Encourage her to share her With your child: Cut a slit in the can’s lid using ideas and questions. Explore ways that you and she a craft knife (or other appropriate implement). Ask can counter injustice. How much of her money does him to decorate the construction paper. Wrap the she think is appropriate to donate to a cause to decorated paper around the can, cutting off the area make a difference? Who will be the recipient ? How that extends above the can. Glue it onto the can. Let will you and she contact that person to make the it dry. The tzedakah box is ready to use. donation? SAYING THE SHEMA: Using a tzedakah box can be fun. Children love A Jewish Bedtime Ritual to place collected money in the box, listening to the noise it makes as it is shaken. When your child has At the end of a busy day, your child can be reassured decorated the box it is even more appealing to him. of feeling loved and protected before going to sleep by If you and he have decided upon a recipient, it’s very reciting the prayer with you. This three- exciting to feel the box getting heavier and heavier. If minute routine gives her with a sense of inner peace, not, it’s still fun, as you keep thinking and discussing connection with and faith in one God. The possibilities. first part of the prayer is as follows:

The box should be placed in a public place so Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad. anyone seeing it can easily add some money to it as Listen Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. desired. Some families put money in the box before lighting Shabbat candles. Others do it regularly With your child: Discuss “What was the best thing that before bedtime each night. You and your child can happened today?” “What made you feel happy today?” Page Four CELEBRATE IN YOUR HOME January, 2012 My Jewish Home Tevet-Shevat, 5772 RECOMMENDED SELECTION OF BOOKS

2 and 3 year olds blessings; for food, Shabbat and holiday rituals, life One Mezuzah: A Jewish Counting Book by and health, comfort and forgiveness. C.Kitman & A.Hurwitz, Rossel Books, 1984. Jewish items found in Jewish homes are shown in photos God’s Paintbrush by S.E. Sasso, Jewish Lights and discussed in this charming counting book. Publishing, 1992. Beautiful illustrations and carefully selected words present ideas about God and life’s beauty. You Can Do A Mitzvah! By J. Groner, Kar-Ben Copies, Inc., 1999. Mitzvot are introduced in this Even If I Did Something Awful by B.S. Hazen. A board-book with fun little girl explores her illustrations. mother’s love for her, helping young children 2-5 year olds understand their own The Bedtime Shema: limits and the unending A Goodnight Book extent of parental love. by S. Gershman, EKS Publishing Co., Fins and Scales: A 2007. This beautifully Kosher Tale by D.U. illustrated book, Miller, Kar-Ben Copies, with accompanying Inc, 1991. This fun CD, presents Jewish and rhyming story with bedtime prayer rituals charming illustrations, and soothes young describes what kosher children’s fears of actually means. being alone in the dark. 5-8 year olds 3-7 year olds The Jewish Child’s First Book of Why by A Mezuzah On The Door by A.Meltzer, Kar-Ben A.J.Kolatch, Jonathan Publishers, Inc., 1992. Publishing, Inc. 2007. When Noah’s family moves This book for children who ask "why" about everything to a new house, they discuss ways to complete their answers common questions like "Why do we play home. They agree that placing a mezuzah on their dreidel?", "Why do we plant trees?" "Why do we fast on doorway will do it. This Sydney Taylor Award Notable ?" and others. Book has exquisite illustrations. A Thread of Kindness: A Tzedakah Story by L.P. The 11th Commandment: Wisdom From Our Shollar, Hachai Publishing, 2000. In this retelling of Children, S. Korinchak, editor, Jewish Lights an old story, a poor farmer and his wife are given a Publishing, 1996. Children throughout the world treasure and must decide what to do with it. discuss their ideas through drawings and words on things of importance in life and on our planet. Adults Jewish Parents’ Almanac by J.H. Danan, Rowman Because Nothing Looks Like God by L. Kushner & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 1994. Jewish parents and K. Kushner, Jewish Lights, 2000. Charming find this information extremely useful as they illustrations and explanations about where to develop a creative and knowledgeable Jewish home. find God can lead to interesting and important conversations. How To Run A Traditional Jewish Household by B. Greenberg, 1983, Simon & Schuster, Inc. Filled with Thank You God! A Jewish Child’s Book of Prayers practical advice, this comprehensive guide covers by J. Groner & M. Wikler, Kar-Ben Publishing, every aspect of creating and running a Jewish home, 1993. Exquisitely illustrated, this book includes included prayer, dress, holidays, food preparation, simple Hebrew, phonetic transliteration and English marriage, birth, and parenthood.

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