Classes for
parents and
rave reviews
for PJ Library,

Vivian Henoch
Special to the Jewish News

L

ast year, it was the new program
that started parents talking. This
year, Federation's Foundations of
Jewish Family Living returns to partici-
pating synagogues with a full curriculum
for parents interested in bringing home
the stories and values of Jewish teaching
to share with young children.
"No homework. No grades. Know
Judaism:'
Unlike other Jewish parenting classes,
Foundations is intended as a springboard
for parents to develop a deeper under-
standing of Judaism and a greater partici-
pation in Jewish celebrations.
Developed by the Florence Melton
Adult Mini-School and facilitated in
partnership with Federation's Alliance
for Jewish Education, the two-semester,
10-week curriculum explores Jewish core
values — such as the sanctity of life, pur-
suing peace, welcoming guests, caring for
the environment, the nature of prayer and
remembrance.
Each topic is anchored by a "master
story" widely identified with a specific
Jewish value, which parents can use as
teaching moments with their children.
Many of the lessons are paired with selec-
tions from the PJ Library books that
many families already receive in their
homes.
"For parents of young children embark-
ing upon their first years in religious
school, Foundations is a great course
of action, offering a practical guide to
Jewish concepts as well as a community
of other parents who are at a similar

34 September 11 • 2014

stage in their lives:' says Gail Greenberg,
assistant director of Melton and FedEd.
"Parents are engaged in meaningful
learning that leads to wonderful conver-
sations with their families."
Parents have good things to say.
"We tend to focus on the importance
of a Jewish education for our children,
but it is equally as important that we,
as parents, set an example of continued
Jewish educational growth, no matter
what our age said Alicia, a parent at
Temple Israel.
Jeff, a parent at Temple Shir Shalom,
said, "Our teacher facilitated intriguing
and enriching discussions every week,
helping me to understand how to take
the concepts being taught home and pass
them on to my family."
Foundations for Jewish Family Living
starts in September at participating
congregations: Adat Shalom Synagogue,
Congregation Beth Ahm, Congregation
Beth Shalom, Congregation Shaarey
Zedek, Congregation Shir Tikvah, Temple
Beth El, Temple Emanu-El, Temple
Israel, Temple Kol Ami and Temple Shir
Shalom.
The cost per semester — 10 Sunday
morning sessions — is $50 per person
or $75 per couple. Scholarships are
available. Free babysitting is provided.
Register at jewishdetroit.org/foundations
or call (248) 205-2536.

PJ Library: One To Grow On

Are you the parent of a child ages 6
months to 8 years old? Do they receive
free Jewish books in the mail each
month? Not yet? Wait no longer!
Jewish Detroit is proud to be one of

the first communities in the country to
have adopted this groundbreaking pro-
gram sending free Jewish-themed books
to children between the ages of 6 months
and 8 years.
Since its launch in 2005, more than
1,800 families have received the gift
of the PJ Library — a selection of age-
appropriate and ever-delightful books
and CDs delivered every month. Do the
math: That's up to 90 free books sent to
each child in the program over a span of
seven and a half years!
Parents get the benefits, too, as books
become favorite bedtime reading and
often arrive with additional resources to
foster Jewish learning in their homes.
If you have yet to sign up your child
for PJ Library, contact Lisa Soble
Siegmann at (248) 205-2534 or
siegmann@jfmd.org
Ask around. Here are just a few of our
kids' favorite PJ titles:

The Children's
Jewish Holiday
Kitchen by Joan
Nathan.
"It was a
cookbook that
my son got
Z7 •
when he was in
•
first grade. He
a ;an 0414an
made me read it
to him like it is
a regular book!
For some reason, this book grabbed him
differently than the other ones. He actu-
ally slept with it. We made cupcakes for
a school project and he was so proud." —
Marianne

Vend

go

King Solomon
) Ning Solomon
and the Bee
anYth
e
Bee
adapted by
Dalia Hardoff
Renberg.
"I abso-
lutely have to
gush about
the PJ library.
We got our
first book, King Solomon and the Bee,
and Genevieve loves it. She was worried
because she thought we had to take it
back to the library, but when I told her
it was hers to keep, she was so happy,
she danced. It is so nice to have access to
Jewish-themed children's' books, espe-
cially for our little interfaith family. We
all learn from them, not just the kiddo!"
— Solana

Dalie HAI Re.6%

411umramil, .el

R.IL

Rise & Shine,
A Challah Day
Tale by Karen
A 1%ka;1-Day Tale
I
Ostrove.
"Every
night before
bed, Hadley
picks out a few
books to read,
her choice.
Last night she picked a PJ library book
we have read several times, Rise 6 Shine.
She said, `Mommy, they make challah
and we make challah, too!' Absolutely
love the connections and comprehension
that she is gaining!" — Bonnie ❑

Rise & Shine

('

This story first appeared on

myjewishdetroit.org.