O
ne of the greatest gifts we can give
our kids is a strong and positive
connection to their Jewish heri-
tage. America is a melting pot and a nation
of immigrants, but every Jewish child
should experience the wonderful depth and
richness of Jewish culture and forge their
own unique Jewish identity.
Encouraging kids — especially teens — to
strengthen the connection to Judaism and
actively explore their Jewish heritage can
be challenging. We live in a cosmopolitan,
online world that’s filled with pressures and
distractions that previous generations could
never have imagined. The good news is that
if you can offer a genuine sense of belong-
ing, kids will usually jump at it!
In the 20th century, the Jewish communi-
ty was far more cohesive and life generally
felt simpler. Milestone life events like a bar
or bat mitzvah created a powerful sense of
belonging. Tasty Jewish food, holidays and
the synagogue cemented Jewish culture and
Jewish identity. Even in small towns, most
Jewish kids grew up with a cultural connec-
tion to a wider Jewish community. Their
lives, outlook and personal values were
shaped by their Jewish heritage.
TIPS FOR ENHANCING JUDAISM
Celebrating a bar or bat mitzvah and getting
together to enjoy traditional Jewish food on
holidays like Passover, Shavuot and Rosh
Hashanah are still great ways to expose your
kids or grandkids to Jewish culture. These
days, though, you need something more to
create a real sense of belonging in a rapidly
changing world.
Here are five tips for teaching kids to love
their Jewish heritage:
1. Celebrate Jewish holidays. A traditional
Pesach seder with the Haggadah continues
a tradition that goes back to the days of the
Bible.
2. Read to your kids! There are plenty of
wonderful children’s stories that bring to
life thousands of years of Jewish history and
tradition.
62 | MARCH 30 • 2023
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Ways to teach your kids to love their Jewish heritage.
Enhancing Judaism
IRIS HAMI SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
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