Jewish Parenting

Advice and resources for parents and prospective parents

Be sure to check out Kveller.com, a website from MyJewishLearning.com for those who want to add a Jewish twist to their parenting.

Whether you grew up observing Shabbat every Friday night, or had your first taste of matzo ball soup when you married into a Jewish family, the ways you can incorporate Judaism and Jewish culture into your parenting style are diverse.

Kveller offers everything from baby ceremonies to borscht recipes to decorating tips for nurseries. Check out Kveller’s blog and local event listings.

 

Babies

Naming Children
A review of Jewish practices from the Bible to the present 

Importance of a Hebrew Name
Heavenly significance of a name 

Meaning of Pidyon HaBen
Redemption of the first born

When Not Everyone’s Jewish
Planning a multi-faith or multi-cultural baby ceremony

The Brit Milah Ceremony
The basics of the ceremony for 8-day-old boys

The Elements of a Brit Bat
A ceremony for girls emerges

Stillbirth & Neonatal Loss
Jewish responses to the death of a newborn

 

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

The Parents’ Blessing
A bar mitzvah blessing from the Talmud

Parent-Child Dynamics
Advice for the family

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planning Guide
A timeline for parents

When Parents Are Divorced
Rising above differences to plan a Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Interfaith Families
Special planning issues for interfaith parents

Special Needs Children
Adjusting the ceremony to their learning style and capabilities

The Parents’ Role
Parents are more involved today than in the past

Adoption & Conversion
Reaffirming connections at the Bar/Bat Mitzvah                 

 

Ceremonies

Two Ceremonies in One
Experiencing a child’s wedding from a parent’s perspective

New Ceremony: Giving Birth
New rituals using traditional images and texts

New Ceremony: Miscarriage
A ritual to recognize the loss of potential life

New Ceremony: Menarche
Sharing a sense of possibility and openness

Chai (18) Ceremony
A Jewish way of sending young people off to college

 

Shabbat & Holidays

Shabbat for Families
How to make Shabbat your family’s favorite day

Engaging with Elul
Special family activities in preparation for the High Holidays

Sukkot for Families
Creative tips for the happiest holiday of the year

Sedering with Kids
How to have a fun and meaningful Passover seder 


 

 

 

Relationships

Parent-Child Relationships
An overview

Sources on Parenting
Rabbinic readings of biblical stories

Jewish Routines for Children
How to bring Judaism into your child’s everyday life

Raising a Jewish Feminist
Tips for raising feminist children

Parenting Jewish Teens
How to help your teens grow

Teaching Derekh Eretz
How to raise a mensch

Raising a Mentsch
Reflections and suggestions

The Jewish Mother
Battling stereotypes

Work-Life Balance
Family comes first

 

Kids’ Questions

Talking to Your Kids About God
How to respond to questions

Discussing the Holocaust
A topic with valuable social lessons

Helping Children Cope
Responding to questions about death


Education

Trends in Education
An overview

Day Schools: Pros & Cons
A parent’s perspective

The State of Day Schools
A long-time educator reports

Religious School
An institution Jews love to hate

Choosing a Hebrew School
Making the right decision for your family and your life

Jewish Education in Early Childhood
The long-term value of early exposure to all things Jewish

Jewish Summer Camp
Everything you need to know before signing up

 

Jewish Families

The American Jewish Family
An overview

Mixed Families, Jewish Choices
Interfaith marriage

The Changing Face of Judaism
Jewish families adopting non-white babies

Gay & Lesbian Adoption
The challenges for same-sex couples

Multiracial Jewish Identity
A Chinese-Jewish-American upbringing

 

Discover More

Kiddushin 30

Teach your children (and grandchildren) well.

Ask the Expert: Can I Say Mazel Tov to a Pregnant Person?

A better thing to say is b’sha’ah tovah — here’s why.

Nazir 57

Mistaken identity.