Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Making Bedtime Jewish: Creating Memories

Bedtime is a perfect time to begin establishing family traditions and creating lasting memories for your child. Fashion a family album with your child's help, talk about your "family tree," look at photos, and tell family stories. Include grandparents or other relatives in this process of discovery.

Ritual is an important part of what holds us together as a family. We all have rituals that touch our lives. The purpose of Jewish ritual is to provide us with a sense of connection with the Jewish people and to infuse into our daily lives a feeling of familiarity and belonging. Books are tools that we use to pass on our beliefs, family stories, and values to our children in a colorful, pleasing, and inviting way. Above all, use what works best for you and your child.

Review the day and make it holy. Time is sacred. It gives us the opportunity to make the world a better place. Talk about what made your child's day special, how your child helped someone today, and how someone helped him/her. How did the day make you feel? What were you thankful for today? Sing a Jewish song to your child. Jewish melodies and lyrics are renowned for their beauty, warmth, and calming effect on children of all ages. Hum or sing along with tapes while you and your child listen and learn the songs. Look for suggestions in the listed resources.

From the Union for Reform Judaism

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