September 15, 2021 • 23 mins
Bryna Leib, former director of the Early Childhood Center at Temple Israel, talks about how to get involved, and stay involved in the traditions and holidays of your new Jewish family.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Pat Blackwell (00:03):
Hello there, and welcome to the podcast. I am Pat
Blackwell, your host and today Ihave the great pleasure of
talking with my friend BrianAleem, who was the nursery
director at Temple Israel formany, many years, and has lots
of experience dealing withfamilies. Welcome, Brian. Hi,
Pat. I'm so excited. You couldbe here today. You haven't been
at Temple Israel for a longtime. But tell me about when you
(00:26):
were there. What was your roleat Temple?
Unknown (00:29):
I was a director of the early childhood center, our
classes ranged from babies withmoms and dads and care workers
to kindergarten children, whothen went on to either private
or public schools. We hadapproximately 300 children per
year, big. Lots of kids 14 1516classes, depending on the year,
(00:56):
and what was going on in thecommunity.
Pat Blackwell (00:58):
So you obviously were a Jewish early childhood
center. We're all the kids whocame there Jewish? No,
Unknown (01:05):
no, we had many families who chose to
participate in our programming.
Many of them had friends orextended family members who were
Jewish, who wanted to learn moreabout the holidays more about
life cycle events, and theyjoined us in our preschool.
Pat Blackwell (01:26):
So as somebody who I grew up not knowing anyone
Jewish in my whole life, Ididn't know anybody Jewish until
I was 24. And I moved toDetroit. And then I got a job at
Temple Israel. And I've met allkinds of amazing, wonderful
people. But I didn't understandany of these customs. And I am
sure that you as an educator,dealt with a lot of parents who
(01:49):
didn't understand any of thesecustoms either. So let's talk
specifically about the holidays.
We just finished Russia, China,we're ready for your young poor,
tell us about if I am a parent,and I want to stay involved in
my grandchildren's lives or mychildren's lives. What can I do
with my grandkids for rashanna?
Unknown (02:07):
idle like to back up a little, I think the first thing
you need to do is when yourchildren decide that they will
marry, I think there needs to bea conversation with parents,
with your children, obviously,about being involved in their
lives. It's a trip to thelibrary. Obviously, you can go
on Google and find lots ofinformation about the holidays,
(02:30):
about customs about vocabulary.
I think it's important that youunderstand the life cycle
events, I totally understand theneed or the desire to have your
children be a part of twoworlds, both the Jewish world
and the Gentile world if there'san interfaith marriage, and in
(02:54):
doing so the children becomewhole. So my feeling is that the
holidays are very important toJewish people, as of course they
are too gentle.
Pat Blackwell (03:08):
So you're using this word Gentile, and when I
grew up, I didn't know what thatword meant. Crude engines. My
buddy who is not Jewish isconsidered Gentile. Okay, got
it. Oh, so did you grow up in aGentile neighborhood? Or did you
grow up in a Jewishneighborhood?
Unknown (03:22):
No, I grew up in a small town of wasco, Michigan,
there were 15 Jewish families inthe whole community. My mother
was born there. And I grew upunderstanding that in my family,
we were traditionally Jewish. Wecelebrated the holidays. We went
to temple. We did all thelifecycle events. However, my
(03:48):
friends were not Jewish. So myparents felt that it was
important that I understand andbe a part of the community in
which I lived in. So I learnedearly on that even though I
didn't celebrate Christmas, Iwent to a friend's to decorate
the tree. We make Christmascookies. Getting back to the
Jewish holidays. My parentsalways invited people in for
(04:12):
Russia, Shana, Russia, Shana isthe birthday of the world. It's
the creation, that God made theworld in six days and he rested
on the Sabbath. So my friendsknew that on the Sabbath, I went
to my grandparents who lived inthe community, and often they
came with us for a meal. Sogetting back to Russia Shana, it
(04:37):
is a time to celebrate the yearand to wish one another a
healthy, happy and sweet NewYear. In doing so. Often we dip
apples in honey. When invited toa Jewish Home for Rosh Hashanah.
You will see that whether you'vegone apple picking or both the
(04:59):
apples at a store, Russian is atime when we feel that a slicing
an apple and dipping it inhoney, or having a traditional
Jewish bread called a fala. Anegg bread is also dipped in
honey. It is a time to wish oneanother a very sweet and good
(05:22):
new year. So also in terms ofactivities. There's apple
picking with your children.
There's making Jewish New Year'scards with your children.
There's,
Pat Blackwell (05:35):
there's cards, wait a minute,
Unknown (05:36):
because it's our new year. It's the beginning of the
world.
Pat Blackwell (05:40):
So in the Christian world, we send out
tons and tons of Christmascards. Do Jewish people send out
Rosh Hashanah cards?
Unknown (05:47):
They certainly do. They do. And now of course they send
out Texas. You know? Of coursethey do. And it's time to
connect with people. And to wishthem a happy new year and let it
be a peaceful year a safe NewYear.
Pat Blackwell (06:07):
And I saw some craft projects online somewhere
where you take an apple and youdip it in ink and you make your
own card and those rashannacards with advice.
Unknown (06:16):
There's a ton of collage kind of things you can
do. You can take your childrenon a fall walk all of this is
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur Warpseudocode, and some cateura.
The for fall,
Pat Blackwell (06:30):
we got a whole bunch of words there. We don't
know. Okay,
Unknown (06:33):
that all run into one another. And the general theme
is the fall holidays. The So yousaid Russia, China and Russia.
China just passed. And now we'reready for Yom Kippur? What does
young poor mean? It's a time toreflect upon your behavior
(06:53):
toward yourself toward others topossibly say I'm sorry, to
someone you've offended, to makeamends and promise to be a
better person
Pat Blackwell (07:07):
that young before that inclusive the Day of
Atonement.
Unknown (07:11):
Yes. So most of us fast if we're healthy and able adults
fast on that day. So we have atraditional meal at sundown on
the day of Yom Kippur that iscalled break fast.
Pat Blackwell (07:26):
So not breakfast, but break fast. So if I were
lucky enough to be invited to abreak fast celebration at the
end of Yom Kippur what kind ofthings could I bring? You could
bring a honey cake. You couldbring young certainly cookies
you could bring
Unknown (07:45):
apples if you've gone to the market, or you've gone
apple picking some of the thingsthat we used to do with the kids
is by awka, or actually we wentapple picking as a school. But
if you go to the market, you buyall different colors of apples,
all different sizes of apples.
You can make apple prints forfor cards for Jewish New Year's
(08:07):
cards you can.
Pat Blackwell (08:13):
So there's not a bunch of rules about I can't
have this food, I can't havethat food. Once you break the
fast you can have pretty muchanything that they would have on
a day to day basis.
Unknown (08:22):
Often it's a dairy meal. I'm not sure how that
started many years ago, I thinkbecause they felt it was lighter
in the stomach. But I really amnot sure about that. But most
often it's bagels and lox whichlacks is a smoked salmon. Tuna
egg salad. We people bake kugel,kugel is a noodle pudding, a big
(08:48):
dish with sour cream and cottagecheese. And if you want to make
it sweet, you put an apples andyou put in raisins. The noodle
cocoa is traditional for breakfast, so almost like a Brunt.
Very much like a brunch, verymuch like a brunch, lots of
goodies for dessert, alwaysfruit.
Pat Blackwell (09:12):
So you said that most adults fast for young
people are two kids fast.
Unknown (09:17):
Once they've reached the year of Bar Mitzvah.
Pat Blackwell (09:21):
They would have been listening to this podcast,
you know that girls can get itbut it's been at 12. And boys
get bar mitzvahed at 13. And soonce they're adults in the
Jewish world, then they fast.
Unknown (09:32):
Yes, yes. But kids done in today's world, I find that
fewer and fewer people areactually fasting, which is kind
of disappointing, because I'mold world
Pat Blackwell (09:45):
as a grandparent taking care of my grandkids. I
don't need to worry that theywould have to fast. Correct?
Correct. So maybe it would bereally awesome if I would take
my grandkids on Yom Kippur Warbecause then their parents can
Fast and not be tempted by thekids food, right? So we got to
be a wonderful band, we're
Unknown (10:05):
talking about going for a walk, we're talking about
collecting fall leaves, we'retalking about going to the zoo,
we're talking about doing allkinds of little arts and crafts
projects that would keep thembusy that day, while the parents
are in the synagogue, praying.
There are always Children'sServices at any temple or
(10:28):
synagogue that you may or maynot wish to be invited or or
participated participate in. Butthey're very welcoming,
generally speaking, I wouldthink and I feel that it to be
inclusive is what's involved inmaking children whole.
Pat Blackwell (10:54):
So my, what I think I'm hearing from you
overall is don't be afraid toask to be included in those
things. Just because you'reGentile. You're not Jewish,
doesn't mean you can't be partof their Russia, Tony, you can't
be part of their young people oryou absolutely can. You can and
you should. Hurry, hurry. Thankyou. Okay. You said another
holiday. Soon cut Torah andsurcoat Well, they're coming
(11:17):
right up.
Unknown (11:17):
Okay. So, first of all, pseudocode pseudocode is the
fall harvest. Here again, it'slike the Jewish Thanksgiving, if
you will. It is a time when ourancestors went out into the
fields and harvest the fallfruits and vegetables. They
built what is called a soccer
Pat Blackwell (11:40):
podcast on a soccer, okay, and so some.
Unknown (11:45):
Some families do make a soccer and put it in their
backyard. Many in today's worlddon't. But it's a lovely, lovely
thing to do and have your mealsoutside. We decorated and this
is something grandparents can doby collecting corn stocks, and
gourds, pumpkins, bales, balesof straw, anything that is fall
(12:14):
in the way of harvest and thenall those things can be cooked.
We we go pumpkin picking. Wedon't make them into Jacqueline
or says in Halloween. But wedecorate our circle or possibly
use them for baking. So
Pat Blackwell (12:29):
Halloween is not a Jewish holiday. No. But it's
All Saints Day. Right? SoHalloween is all saints and
that's a Christian holiday. Soright Jewish people typically
don't celebrate Halloween, butjust like you're going to
participate in somebody'sChristmas decorating tree. You
might go participate withsomebody for Halloween, but you
(12:50):
have your own holiday in thespring that is your
Unknown (12:54):
version of Halloween got them? Generally we we get
dressed up and have a great timeduring Purim. And well, it's
usually around February, inFebruary. And it is a time when
we celebrate the courage to bewho we are. And to understand
(13:20):
that there are always people outthere that are anxious to harm
you. And it's good over evilkind of thing. And in that the
queen. It's fun. Yeah, yeah.
Emily decorating. As charactersof that holiday the king the
queen, Haman was the villain.
Pat Blackwell (13:42):
Alright, let's get back to the holiday we
skipped. We skipped right overHanukkah.
Unknown (13:46):
And I think Hanukkah is the most important for Gentile
families to really be involvedin. Because they don't
understand that it isn't theJewish Christmas. It is
different. It is unique untoitself. Hanukkah is a
celebration of religiousfreedom. And again, basically
(14:09):
good over evil and we survivedand we meet. We decorate a
menorah, which is an eightbranch, candelabra with a helper
can go in addition, so there'snine places for candles. And we
light a candle each night. It'seight days because we were able
(14:34):
to how we're
Pat Blackwell (14:40):
able to date.
Unknown (14:41):
Yes, we were able to go into the temple years ago. Yeah.
And the oil lasted eight days.
Pat Blackwell (14:50):
So let's talk about for Hama Christmas. Do you
give gifts for Hanukkah? Yes,yeah, they
Unknown (14:57):
don't have to necessarily be a expensive
gifts, that you don't have tonecessarily give eight nights of
gifts. I know that when mychildren were young, we did
themes. One night was music onenight was books one night was
close one night, you know,different themes each night. And
(15:18):
they could be just a smalllittle paperback 295 book on
book night. Or it could be youknow, a winter jacket on the
night of clubs. It, it doesn'tmatter so much the gifts as it
matters, being together, makingpotato lockers, which are the
(15:38):
traditional food for Hanukkah,and they are right. And
doughnuts and just celebrating.
So if, if grandparents want toparticipate in Hanukkah, there's
so many things that they can doagain, there's all kinds of
decorations that you can makefor Hanukkah for the house.
(16:01):
There are
Pat Blackwell (16:05):
so it's none about putting up blue lights on
your Christmas tree
Unknown (16:08):
it no Jewish families do not have a Christmas tree. It
is wonderful to go to someoneelse's home to decorate the
Christmas tree, because that'stheir holiday. It is not our
holiday. But we have Hanukkahdecorations of all kinds. If you
(16:30):
look at any Google or librarybook, it will give you a whole
list of darling things that youcan make with your children.
There's always there's theDraco, which is a little top
that you play games with. Ithink that with every Jewish
holiday, there's a significantfood involved.
Pat Blackwell (16:52):
I know I've joked many times on this podcast the
theme of every Jewish holiday isthey tried to kill us we
survived Let's eat Exactly.
What's the food for hot
Unknown (17:02):
potato pancakes blood coast lapkus and there are some
people today bake them becausethey don't want to eat fried
foods. The truth of the matteris a little oil in the pan and
frying them men doing it once ayear is not only fun, but
delicious. They're served withapplesauce or sour cream. Going
(17:23):
back to the fall holidays. Oneof the great things that I've
always done with mygrandchildren is make
applesauce, Apple cobblers youknow so many things go from one
holiday to the next centertraditional but Hanukkah is
doughnuts, jelly, doughnuts,filled doughnuts and lot ghosts.
(17:47):
And just a good time for a days.
Just a really good time. But itdoesn't have to be competitive.
And and people don't have toworry oh my gosh, how can I
afford that? But it's not trulyabout the gifts. A token is
lovely. And it's fun to just beinvited over or invite the
(18:07):
children to your house.
Pat Blackwell (18:11):
Terrific. Okay, so now it's spring and we have
Passover. I know that's one ofthe more complicated holidays
because people who don'tcelebrate Passover don't have
any idea what leavened breadmeans. So can you okay but going
back,
Unknown (18:24):
Passover Seder, the Seder is order of the Seder is
the meal.
Pat Blackwell (18:32):
So all of these Jewish holidays start the night
before it is and what was
Unknown (18:38):
the pascall supper?
Hmm. So if they know what apascall supper is in the
Catholic faith, it is similar tothat. Passover is a time of
Exodus from Egypt when we wereslaves. And now we're free is
returning to our homeland.
Pat Blackwell (19:03):
So what can you do with your kids your grandkids
for passive Well
Unknown (19:06):
first of all, you can participate in making the Seder
plate you understand by readingwhat are the items that are on
the Seder plate? Again, thereseems to be a general theme I
talk most of apples here butthere's apples and nuts and wine
which is called corrosive anddid you hear that guttural we
(19:29):
got a sweet mixture of deliciousof foods that are put on Meazza
dairy was a Mata. Mata is theunleavened bread.
Pat Blackwell (19:44):
So um, we have a Jewish rice right
Unknown (19:47):
right when the Jewish people were fleeing Egypt. The
Pharaoh said they could go theyran out of the city with dough
basically not to our go on theirbacks, and it did not have time
to rise. The bread did not havetime to rise, it became
(20:10):
unleavened and it became matzah.
Pat Blackwell (20:13):
So for Passover, the kinds of things you do with
your kids are the
Unknown (20:17):
things so I would not offer my my Jewish children a
peanut butter and jelly sandwichor a bagel or a bagel, because I
would offer my yes or I wouldoffer Mata but with peanut
butter on it, delish.
Pat Blackwell (20:34):
So foods that are very common during Passover are
lots and lots of eggs.
Unknown (20:39):
Yes. One of the things you could bring to a Seder, if
they agree, whoever's hostingthe Seder, you could bring hard
boiled eggs, it's part of theSeder. It's a symbol of reborn
spring. There's personallythere's bitter herbs for the
(20:59):
tears that were shed. The Sederplate has all these items on it,
and you can replicate them witharts and crafts projects, you
can make a wine cup because wedrink lots of wine for Passover.
And we welcome strangers intoour home. Anyone who has nowhere
(21:21):
to go, we hope will be included.
Pat Blackwell (21:25):
The overriding thing I'm hearing from you is,
don't be afraid of Jewishholidays. Don't be afraid to get
involved. Don't be afraid tolearn about them. It's not some
big dark secret. No, it'ssomething that is absolutely
important that you get involvedin if you want to be involved in
your grandkids lives and yourchildren's lives, then holidays
(21:48):
are part of that. And you shouldwork to understand what those
holidays are and be included inthem. And so as a listener to
this podcast, clearly you'reaware of all of that stuff
already. And we thank you forlistening. But I'm just so
grateful for you for coming ontoday, Verona and talking about
all these wonderful ways that wecan get our families to be a
(22:12):
cohesive unit. It's not about usand them. It's about this
family, and what's best forthese kids and how to make
everyone a cohesive unit. Andthat's what I focus on. Yep. And
that's a wonderful attitude. Andthat goes for anyone anywhere.
So do you have any one piece ofadvice you'd like to give for
(22:35):
some interfaith grandparents whowould like to get involved in
their Jewish grandchildren'slives,
Unknown (22:41):
just be open, be open to new ideas open to
participating, opening yourheart and your mind to
activities that may seem foreignto you. But if you think about
it, it's all about family. It'san every holiday centers around
a meal. They're always they bothare projects and cooking
(23:06):
activities that can be done thatare inclusive of everyone. And
it's important to want to beinvolved.
Pat Blackwell (23:17):
couldn't have said it better. You are
terrific. And I so appreciateyour being on the podcast. This
was Brian leave the former EarlyChildhood Education Center at
Temple Israel in WestBloomfield, Michigan. and tune
in next week and we'll talkabout some more holidays. Thank
you so much.
Hello there, and welcome to the podcast. I am Pat
Blackwell, your host and today Ihave the great pleasure of
talking with my friend BrianAleem, who was the nursery
director at Temple Israel formany, many years, and has lots
of experience dealing withfamilies. Welcome, Brian. Hi,
Pat. I'm so excited. You couldbe here today. You haven't been
at Temple Israel for a longtime. But tell me about when you
(00:26):
were there. What was your roleat Temple?
Unknown (00:29):
I was a director of the early childhood center, our
classes ranged from babies withmoms and dads and care workers
to kindergarten children, whothen went on to either private
or public schools. We hadapproximately 300 children per
year, big. Lots of kids 14 1516classes, depending on the year,
(00:56):
and what was going on in thecommunity.
Pat Blackwell (00:58):
So you obviously were a Jewish early childhood
center. We're all the kids whocame there Jewish? No,
Unknown (01:05):
no, we had many families who chose to
participate in our programming.
Many of them had friends orextended family members who were
Jewish, who wanted to learn moreabout the holidays more about
life cycle events, and theyjoined us in our preschool.
Pat Blackwell (01:26):
So as somebody who I grew up not knowing anyone
Jewish in my whole life, Ididn't know anybody Jewish until
I was 24. And I moved toDetroit. And then I got a job at
Temple Israel. And I've met allkinds of amazing, wonderful
people. But I didn't understandany of these customs. And I am
sure that you as an educator,dealt with a lot of parents who
(01:49):
didn't understand any of thesecustoms either. So let's talk
specifically about the holidays.
We just finished Russia, China,we're ready for your young poor,
tell us about if I am a parent,and I want to stay involved in
my grandchildren's lives or mychildren's lives. What can I do
with my grandkids for rashanna?
Unknown (02:07):
idle like to back up a little, I think the first thing
you need to do is when yourchildren decide that they will
marry, I think there needs to bea conversation with parents,
with your children, obviously,about being involved in their
lives. It's a trip to thelibrary. Obviously, you can go
on Google and find lots ofinformation about the holidays,
(02:30):
about customs about vocabulary.
I think it's important that youunderstand the life cycle
events, I totally understand theneed or the desire to have your
children be a part of twoworlds, both the Jewish world
and the Gentile world if there'san interfaith marriage, and in
(02:54):
doing so the children becomewhole. So my feeling is that the
holidays are very important toJewish people, as of course they
are too gentle.
Pat Blackwell (03:08):
So you're using this word Gentile, and when I
grew up, I didn't know what thatword meant. Crude engines. My
buddy who is not Jewish isconsidered Gentile. Okay, got
it. Oh, so did you grow up in aGentile neighborhood? Or did you
grow up in a Jewishneighborhood?
Unknown (03:22):
No, I grew up in a small town of wasco, Michigan,
there were 15 Jewish families inthe whole community. My mother
was born there. And I grew upunderstanding that in my family,
we were traditionally Jewish. Wecelebrated the holidays. We went
to temple. We did all thelifecycle events. However, my
(03:48):
friends were not Jewish. So myparents felt that it was
important that I understand andbe a part of the community in
which I lived in. So I learnedearly on that even though I
didn't celebrate Christmas, Iwent to a friend's to decorate
the tree. We make Christmascookies. Getting back to the
Jewish holidays. My parentsalways invited people in for
(04:12):
Russia, Shana, Russia, Shana isthe birthday of the world. It's
the creation, that God made theworld in six days and he rested
on the Sabbath. So my friendsknew that on the Sabbath, I went
to my grandparents who lived inthe community, and often they
came with us for a meal. Sogetting back to Russia Shana, it
(04:37):
is a time to celebrate the yearand to wish one another a
healthy, happy and sweet NewYear. In doing so. Often we dip
apples in honey. When invited toa Jewish Home for Rosh Hashanah.
You will see that whether you'vegone apple picking or both the
(04:59):
apples at a store, Russian is atime when we feel that a slicing
an apple and dipping it inhoney, or having a traditional
Jewish bread called a fala. Anegg bread is also dipped in
honey. It is a time to wish oneanother a very sweet and good
(05:22):
new year. So also in terms ofactivities. There's apple
picking with your children.
There's making Jewish New Year'scards with your children.
There's,
Pat Blackwell (05:35):
there's cards, wait a minute,
Unknown (05:36):
because it's our new year. It's the beginning of the
world.
Pat Blackwell (05:40):
So in the Christian world, we send out
tons and tons of Christmascards. Do Jewish people send out
Rosh Hashanah cards?
Unknown (05:47):
They certainly do. They do. And now of course they send
out Texas. You know? Of coursethey do. And it's time to
connect with people. And to wishthem a happy new year and let it
be a peaceful year a safe NewYear.
Pat Blackwell (06:07):
And I saw some craft projects online somewhere
where you take an apple and youdip it in ink and you make your
own card and those rashannacards with advice.
Unknown (06:16):
There's a ton of collage kind of things you can
do. You can take your childrenon a fall walk all of this is
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur Warpseudocode, and some cateura.
The for fall,
Pat Blackwell (06:30):
we got a whole bunch of words there. We don't
know. Okay,
Unknown (06:33):
that all run into one another. And the general theme
is the fall holidays. The So yousaid Russia, China and Russia.
China just passed. And now we'reready for Yom Kippur? What does
young poor mean? It's a time toreflect upon your behavior
(06:53):
toward yourself toward others topossibly say I'm sorry, to
someone you've offended, to makeamends and promise to be a
better person
Pat Blackwell (07:07):
that young before that inclusive the Day of
Atonement.
Unknown (07:11):
Yes. So most of us fast if we're healthy and able adults
fast on that day. So we have atraditional meal at sundown on
the day of Yom Kippur that iscalled break fast.
Pat Blackwell (07:26):
So not breakfast, but break fast. So if I were
lucky enough to be invited to abreak fast celebration at the
end of Yom Kippur what kind ofthings could I bring? You could
bring a honey cake. You couldbring young certainly cookies
you could bring
Unknown (07:45):
apples if you've gone to the market, or you've gone
apple picking some of the thingsthat we used to do with the kids
is by awka, or actually we wentapple picking as a school. But
if you go to the market, you buyall different colors of apples,
all different sizes of apples.
You can make apple prints forfor cards for Jewish New Year's
(08:07):
cards you can.
Pat Blackwell (08:13):
So there's not a bunch of rules about I can't
have this food, I can't havethat food. Once you break the
fast you can have pretty muchanything that they would have on
a day to day basis.
Unknown (08:22):
Often it's a dairy meal. I'm not sure how that
started many years ago, I thinkbecause they felt it was lighter
in the stomach. But I really amnot sure about that. But most
often it's bagels and lox whichlacks is a smoked salmon. Tuna
egg salad. We people bake kugel,kugel is a noodle pudding, a big
(08:48):
dish with sour cream and cottagecheese. And if you want to make
it sweet, you put an apples andyou put in raisins. The noodle
cocoa is traditional for breakfast, so almost like a Brunt.
Very much like a brunch, verymuch like a brunch, lots of
goodies for dessert, alwaysfruit.
Pat Blackwell (09:12):
So you said that most adults fast for young
people are two kids fast.
Unknown (09:17):
Once they've reached the year of Bar Mitzvah.
Pat Blackwell (09:21):
They would have been listening to this podcast,
you know that girls can get itbut it's been at 12. And boys
get bar mitzvahed at 13. And soonce they're adults in the
Jewish world, then they fast.
Unknown (09:32):
Yes, yes. But kids done in today's world, I find that
fewer and fewer people areactually fasting, which is kind
of disappointing, because I'mold world
Pat Blackwell (09:45):
as a grandparent taking care of my grandkids. I
don't need to worry that theywould have to fast. Correct?
Correct. So maybe it would bereally awesome if I would take
my grandkids on Yom Kippur Warbecause then their parents can
Fast and not be tempted by thekids food, right? So we got to
be a wonderful band, we're
Unknown (10:05):
talking about going for a walk, we're talking about
collecting fall leaves, we'retalking about going to the zoo,
we're talking about doing allkinds of little arts and crafts
projects that would keep thembusy that day, while the parents
are in the synagogue, praying.
There are always Children'sServices at any temple or
(10:28):
synagogue that you may or maynot wish to be invited or or
participated participate in. Butthey're very welcoming,
generally speaking, I wouldthink and I feel that it to be
inclusive is what's involved inmaking children whole.
Pat Blackwell (10:54):
So my, what I think I'm hearing from you
overall is don't be afraid toask to be included in those
things. Just because you'reGentile. You're not Jewish,
doesn't mean you can't be partof their Russia, Tony, you can't
be part of their young people oryou absolutely can. You can and
you should. Hurry, hurry. Thankyou. Okay. You said another
holiday. Soon cut Torah andsurcoat Well, they're coming
(11:17):
right up.
Unknown (11:17):
Okay. So, first of all, pseudocode pseudocode is the
fall harvest. Here again, it'slike the Jewish Thanksgiving, if
you will. It is a time when ourancestors went out into the
fields and harvest the fallfruits and vegetables. They
built what is called a soccer
Pat Blackwell (11:40):
podcast on a soccer, okay, and so some.
Unknown (11:45):
Some families do make a soccer and put it in their
backyard. Many in today's worlddon't. But it's a lovely, lovely
thing to do and have your mealsoutside. We decorated and this
is something grandparents can doby collecting corn stocks, and
gourds, pumpkins, bales, balesof straw, anything that is fall
(12:14):
in the way of harvest and thenall those things can be cooked.
We we go pumpkin picking. Wedon't make them into Jacqueline
or says in Halloween. But wedecorate our circle or possibly
use them for baking. So
Pat Blackwell (12:29):
Halloween is not a Jewish holiday. No. But it's
All Saints Day. Right? SoHalloween is all saints and
that's a Christian holiday. Soright Jewish people typically
don't celebrate Halloween, butjust like you're going to
participate in somebody'sChristmas decorating tree. You
might go participate withsomebody for Halloween, but you
(12:50):
have your own holiday in thespring that is your
Unknown (12:54):
version of Halloween got them? Generally we we get
dressed up and have a great timeduring Purim. And well, it's
usually around February, inFebruary. And it is a time when
we celebrate the courage to bewho we are. And to understand
(13:20):
that there are always people outthere that are anxious to harm
you. And it's good over evilkind of thing. And in that the
queen. It's fun. Yeah, yeah.
Emily decorating. As charactersof that holiday the king the
queen, Haman was the villain.
Pat Blackwell (13:42):
Alright, let's get back to the holiday we
skipped. We skipped right overHanukkah.
Unknown (13:46):
And I think Hanukkah is the most important for Gentile
families to really be involvedin. Because they don't
understand that it isn't theJewish Christmas. It is
different. It is unique untoitself. Hanukkah is a
celebration of religiousfreedom. And again, basically
(14:09):
good over evil and we survivedand we meet. We decorate a
menorah, which is an eightbranch, candelabra with a helper
can go in addition, so there'snine places for candles. And we
light a candle each night. It'seight days because we were able
(14:34):
to how we're
Pat Blackwell (14:40):
able to date.
Unknown (14:41):
Yes, we were able to go into the temple years ago. Yeah.
And the oil lasted eight days.
Pat Blackwell (14:50):
So let's talk about for Hama Christmas. Do you
give gifts for Hanukkah? Yes,yeah, they
Unknown (14:57):
don't have to necessarily be a expensive
gifts, that you don't have tonecessarily give eight nights of
gifts. I know that when mychildren were young, we did
themes. One night was music onenight was books one night was
close one night, you know,different themes each night. And
(15:18):
they could be just a smalllittle paperback 295 book on
book night. Or it could be youknow, a winter jacket on the
night of clubs. It, it doesn'tmatter so much the gifts as it
matters, being together, makingpotato lockers, which are the
(15:38):
traditional food for Hanukkah,and they are right. And
doughnuts and just celebrating.
So if, if grandparents want toparticipate in Hanukkah, there's
so many things that they can doagain, there's all kinds of
decorations that you can makefor Hanukkah for the house.
(16:01):
There are
Pat Blackwell (16:05):
so it's none about putting up blue lights on
your Christmas tree
Unknown (16:08):
it no Jewish families do not have a Christmas tree. It
is wonderful to go to someoneelse's home to decorate the
Christmas tree, because that'stheir holiday. It is not our
holiday. But we have Hanukkahdecorations of all kinds. If you
(16:30):
look at any Google or librarybook, it will give you a whole
list of darling things that youcan make with your children.
There's always there's theDraco, which is a little top
that you play games with. Ithink that with every Jewish
holiday, there's a significantfood involved.
Pat Blackwell (16:52):
I know I've joked many times on this podcast the
theme of every Jewish holiday isthey tried to kill us we
survived Let's eat Exactly.
What's the food for hot
Unknown (17:02):
potato pancakes blood coast lapkus and there are some
people today bake them becausethey don't want to eat fried
foods. The truth of the matteris a little oil in the pan and
frying them men doing it once ayear is not only fun, but
delicious. They're served withapplesauce or sour cream. Going
(17:23):
back to the fall holidays. Oneof the great things that I've
always done with mygrandchildren is make
applesauce, Apple cobblers youknow so many things go from one
holiday to the next centertraditional but Hanukkah is
doughnuts, jelly, doughnuts,filled doughnuts and lot ghosts.
(17:47):
And just a good time for a days.
Just a really good time. But itdoesn't have to be competitive.
And and people don't have toworry oh my gosh, how can I
afford that? But it's not trulyabout the gifts. A token is
lovely. And it's fun to just beinvited over or invite the
(18:07):
children to your house.
Pat Blackwell (18:11):
Terrific. Okay, so now it's spring and we have
Passover. I know that's one ofthe more complicated holidays
because people who don'tcelebrate Passover don't have
any idea what leavened breadmeans. So can you okay but going
back,
Unknown (18:24):
Passover Seder, the Seder is order of the Seder is
the meal.
Pat Blackwell (18:32):
So all of these Jewish holidays start the night
before it is and what was
Unknown (18:38):
the pascall supper?
Hmm. So if they know what apascall supper is in the
Catholic faith, it is similar tothat. Passover is a time of
Exodus from Egypt when we wereslaves. And now we're free is
returning to our homeland.
Pat Blackwell (19:03):
So what can you do with your kids your grandkids
for passive Well
Unknown (19:06):
first of all, you can participate in making the Seder
plate you understand by readingwhat are the items that are on
the Seder plate? Again, thereseems to be a general theme I
talk most of apples here butthere's apples and nuts and wine
which is called corrosive anddid you hear that guttural we
(19:29):
got a sweet mixture of deliciousof foods that are put on Meazza
dairy was a Mata. Mata is theunleavened bread.
Pat Blackwell (19:44):
So um, we have a Jewish rice right
Unknown (19:47):
right when the Jewish people were fleeing Egypt. The
Pharaoh said they could go theyran out of the city with dough
basically not to our go on theirbacks, and it did not have time
to rise. The bread did not havetime to rise, it became
(20:10):
unleavened and it became matzah.
Pat Blackwell (20:13):
So for Passover, the kinds of things you do with
your kids are the
Unknown (20:17):
things so I would not offer my my Jewish children a
peanut butter and jelly sandwichor a bagel or a bagel, because I
would offer my yes or I wouldoffer Mata but with peanut
butter on it, delish.
Pat Blackwell (20:34):
So foods that are very common during Passover are
lots and lots of eggs.
Unknown (20:39):
Yes. One of the things you could bring to a Seder, if
they agree, whoever's hostingthe Seder, you could bring hard
boiled eggs, it's part of theSeder. It's a symbol of reborn
spring. There's personallythere's bitter herbs for the
(20:59):
tears that were shed. The Sederplate has all these items on it,
and you can replicate them witharts and crafts projects, you
can make a wine cup because wedrink lots of wine for Passover.
And we welcome strangers intoour home. Anyone who has nowhere
(21:21):
to go, we hope will be included.
Pat Blackwell (21:25):
The overriding thing I'm hearing from you is,
don't be afraid of Jewishholidays. Don't be afraid to get
involved. Don't be afraid tolearn about them. It's not some
big dark secret. No, it'ssomething that is absolutely
important that you get involvedin if you want to be involved in
your grandkids lives and yourchildren's lives, then holidays
(21:48):
are part of that. And you shouldwork to understand what those
holidays are and be included inthem. And so as a listener to
this podcast, clearly you'reaware of all of that stuff
already. And we thank you forlistening. But I'm just so
grateful for you for coming ontoday, Verona and talking about
all these wonderful ways that wecan get our families to be a
(22:12):
cohesive unit. It's not about usand them. It's about this
family, and what's best forthese kids and how to make
everyone a cohesive unit. Andthat's what I focus on. Yep. And
that's a wonderful attitude. Andthat goes for anyone anywhere.
So do you have any one piece ofadvice you'd like to give for
(22:35):
some interfaith grandparents whowould like to get involved in
their Jewish grandchildren'slives,
Unknown (22:41):
just be open, be open to new ideas open to
participating, opening yourheart and your mind to
activities that may seem foreignto you. But if you think about
it, it's all about family. It'san every holiday centers around
a meal. They're always they bothare projects and cooking
(23:06):
activities that can be done thatare inclusive of everyone. And
it's important to want to beinvolved.
Pat Blackwell (23:17):
couldn't have said it better. You are
terrific. And I so appreciateyour being on the podcast. This
was Brian leave the former EarlyChildhood Education Center at
Temple Israel in WestBloomfield, Michigan. and tune
in next week and we'll talkabout some more holidays. Thank
you so much.
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