holidays Archives - Values & Ethics—Through a Jewish Lens

SUKKOT—Fragility, Fear, and Blessing

Posted by TTT | Oct 13, 2019 | blessings, challenges, holidays |

SUKKOT — Much of what we do tries to instill in our children a sense of security. What a challenge it is when life presents something unexpected to us that shows us how fragile we really are. Life in all its fragility can be difficult. We carry around fears of illness and worse for ourselves or our children or other loved ones. Everyone, at some point in life is faced with this feeling of fragility. The Holiday of Sukkot is all about fragility. A sukkah is a temporary shelter with a roof that allows us to see the sky...

YOM KIPPUR—Forgiving Others

Posted by TTT | Oct 7, 2019 | holidays |

YOM KIPPUR — It’s not always easy to forgive others. At times, it’s emotionally easier to bear a grudge than to let go of slights. Having a hardened heart means we are impervious to continued hurts. But it also means it’s difficult to let love and friendship into our lives. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a day of forgiveness. It is important to come to Yom Kippur with a clean slate. According to tradition, we are to ask each other for forgiveness and give others forgiveness before Yom Kippur. Once we are forgiven by others, we fast...

ROSH HASHANAH—An Opportunity for Personal Growth

Posted by TTT | Sep 29, 2019 | compassion, family, holidays |

ROSH HASHANAH — Rosh Hashanah is perceived as the Jewish New Year, but it is so much more than that. It is time to reflect on the quality of relationships with friends and family and compare yourself to the way you were a year ago. Rosh Hashanah, according to the tradition, gives you a time to make amends to family and friends. Use the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah to go through a process of introspection and evaluation with your family, thinking and talking about habitual problems and conflicts that are difficult to change. Seeing other family members,...

CHANUKAH—Strength and Dedication

Posted by TTT | Nov 29, 2018 | courage, holidays, rituals |

CHANUKAH — It’s that time again. Cold weather brings thoughts of the Christmas holiday. There are Christmas vacations, sales, parties, street lights and more. Children get very excited by images of Santa Claus and colorful Christmas trees with brightly wrapped gifts underneath. It’s hard for Chanukah to compete with all this. Showing children that there is something from their own tradition that can bring them light and joy is an important message. While Chanukah, within the scope of Jewish tradition, is a relatively minor holiday, it carries with it some important messages, as well as lots of fun for children. Just as Christmas and many other festivals worldwide do, Chanukah...

SIMCHAT TORAH—Opportunities for Joy

Posted by TTT | Sep 30, 2018 | blessings, gratitude, holidays, rituals, teaching moments |

SIMCHAT TORAH — Unbridled joy is the gift that children often experience as they go through their daily lives. They are capable of so much feeling, of happiness and sadness, and with such intensity. We celebrate with them when they are happy, and we are sad when they grieve. At times it’s important not to get too caught up with our children’s emotions and to maintain a calm front in the face of their ups and downs. At other times, it’s important to get right in there and rejoice or grieve right along with them. As a parent it...

Category: holidays

SUKKOT—Fragility, Fear, and Blessing

YOM KIPPUR—Forgiving Others

ROSH HASHANAH—An Opportunity for Personal Growth

CHANUKAH—Strength and Dedication

SIMCHAT TORAH—Opportunities for Joy

Start with the Video

Free 2-Minute Discussion Starters

Testimonials

Rabbi Charles Savenor

Rabbi Steven Wernick

Glenna Lee

Discover More Discussion Starters in Our Book