14 | OCTOBER 12 • 2023 J
N
OUR COMMUNITY
from Atlanta about a year
and a half ago and were
eager to connect with
other families. Originally
from Farmington Hills,
she says it’s a great
opportunity for her family
to deepen their area roots
together.
“I love hosting, so to me,
that’s very exciting,” she
says.
With her son attending
Jewish preschool and she
and her husband both
growing up in traditionally
Jewish homes, the
program offers another
welcome building block as
they establish their shared
traditions for their family.
“Ross grew up belonging
to an Orthodox synagogue.
I belonged to Reform, so
the idea of bringing a new
tradition into our house,
something we create and
share with our children,
was important to us,” she
explains.
Sharing Shabbat is
open to families with
children ages 0-13 but
skews heavily toward
the 8 and under set, says
Shoshana Fain,
director of
Programming
and Engage-
ment for
JFamily, with
many kids
under 5 years
old.
It’s a group of families
that is in the life stage
where they’re looking to
make new connections
through their children.
They’re also families who
haven’t yet necessarily
had their schedules filled
up with sports, birthday
parties and the like.
The oldest child in the
program at present will be
TOP: Making
challah at the Aish
Challah bake:
Eric and Mary
Greenberg.
RIGHT: Abi and Eric
Berlin, and their
children Talia and
Jack.
continued from page 13
Shoshana
Fain
continued on page 16