8 Ways Jewish Moms Can Get Their Child to Reconnect with Their Roots

A Jewish mom is a special kind of mom. She's the kind who makes you feel proud to be Jewish and who wants to give her children the best possible childhood and education. And, like all moms, Jewish moms want their kids to grow up strong and proud in their faith.

But as any mom of young children can attest, it can be hard to find time for yourself, let alone your child's religious education. Thankfully, there are many ways you can help your child learn about their heritage without sacrificing precious family time.

8.3 million Jews are living outside of Israel, according to The Jerusalem Post, and the 8 best ways Jewish mothers’ can connect their children living outside with their roots are:

1. Join Masa Israel

Masa Israel, or "I belong Israel", is a program that brings Jewish people from around the world together in Israel for an immersive experience of Jewish life, learning, and culture.

The program aims to promote Jewish identity and connection to Israel while offering participants a unique cultural experience and personal growth. Masa provides comprehensive support, including housing, travel arrangements, and various social activities.

The program is designed for participants aged 18-30 and is open to individuals of all backgrounds and levels of Jewish observance. So, if you are looking for your child to have a glimpse of the Jewish culture, the most interesting way is to get them to join this program.

2. Study Jewish Texts

Studying Jewish texts is a great way to pass on Jewish culture to your children. In Judaism, the Torah is the most important text and contains stories and laws central to Jewish life. The Torah is a compilation of books that form the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

If you want to learn more about what's in these texts and why they matter, you can find plenty of resources online or at your local library. You could also talk with someone who knows them well, like a rabbi.

3. Join a Synagogue

The first step to getting your child to reconnect with their roots is joining a synagogue. Synagogues offer programs for people at all levels of religious observance, from those who aren't actively practicing Judaism to those who are very involved in their faith. Many synagogues also host social events like potlucks or Shabbat dinners.

And if you're looking for ways to reconnect with Jewish culture, there are plenty of opportunities for learning about it through classes offered by synagogues.

4. Volunteer for a Jewish Organization

Volunteering for a Jewish organization is another great way to reconnect with your heritage. There are many volunteer opportunities available, from teaching Hebrew classes or helping out at a local synagogue to organizing fundraising events and assisting refugees in need of food, clothing, and shelter.

In addition to feeling good about helping others, volunteering can also help you feel more connected to your Jewish heritage by bringing back memories of important things to your family when they were growing up.

Many organizations offer training so that new volunteers will know what they're doing when they arrive at the site where they'll be working each day. And this can be especially useful if this is your first-time volunteering.

5. Attend Jewish Cultural Events

There are all sorts of ways to get involved in your local Jewish community, and one of them is attending cultural events.

Here are some ideas:

Jewish films at the local cinema or on Netflix. You can also watch them with friends who aren't Jewish and discuss what you learned about Judaism and its history.

Bands who perform traditional music from Israel or other countries with large Jewish populations, such as Morocco or Yemen. A lot of these bands will have instruments like the violin or oud that aren't common in Western music. It's worth checking out how they sound.

6. Learn Hebrew

According to the American Jewish Committee (AJC), familiarity with the Hebrew language greatly varies among Jews in America, with 42% of them unable to read or speak the language, 36% can read with minimum understanding, and 22% having minimal to native fluency.

Learning Hebrew is a great way to connect with your Jewish heritage. It's also a great way to learn about the culture, religion, and history of the Jewish people.

Learning Hebrew can be done in many ways, like attending classes at a synagogue or Jewish community center, taking an online class, buying books and CDs, or using a smartphone app. But no matter how you choose to learn, it will be worth it when you realize how much easier it is for you now that you know Hebrew.

7. Cook Jewish Cuisine

The best way to get your child interested in cooking Jewish cuisine is by making it fun. Have your child help you prepare the meal together and use fresh ingredients. You can even pick up some at a local farmer's market.

8. Trace Your Genealogy

You may not know it, but you are a descendant of an important person. Your family history is valuable and should be preserved. You can start by tracing your roots by looking at birth certificates and other documents that will help you find out who your ancestors were and what they did in life.

To start tracing your family tree, ask elderly relatives if they remember any stories about their grandparents or great-grandparents.

Next, go online. Many websites offer free resources on how to research your genealogy and those of others who share your last name. You can also hire professionals who specialize in this field if you need assistance with specific tasks like finding birth certificates or census records. These services may charge fees depending on what kind of information they provide.

As per a recent ABC News report, the Center for Jewish History, based in New York, announced the launch of a project that offers DNA testing kits to the survivors of the Holocaust and their children to connect Jewish Americans with their genealogy.

Conclusion

With so many options for reconnecting with your child with their Jewish heritage, there's no excuse not to try. You can get them to learn how to cook traditional Jewish dishes or study Hebrew at home, join a synagogue in your area, volunteer at a local Jewish organization, and much more.

1 comment

Amy D2/07/2023 02:34:00 PM
Great post! We are Jewish, and love carrying on traditions with my children. My youngest daughter especially loves Jewish foods. I need to look into Masa Israel. Thank you for the info.

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