By Rabbi Ron Isaacs
I recently became the Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Sholom in Bridgewater, New Jersey, where I have served for the past 40 years. During my tenure I found that more families began to turn to the congregation for programming that would help them reinfuse their homes with a sense of Jewish identity and celebration. We responded with a year-round series of interactive, intergenerational programs designed to acquaint less knowledgeable families with Jewish traditions, holidays, and observances that they could in turn reintroduce into each of their homes. Our programs were designed to impart specific Judaic knowledge and to serve as catalysts for families to engage in Jewish activities and observances in their own homes. The programs also provided opportunities for families to join together for celebration and encourage both a sense of community among participants and responsibility toward the larger community.
Recently Apples and Honey (a new imprint of Behrman House and Gefen Publishing for children's books) published Farmer Kobi’s Hanukkah Match (co-authored by me and Karen Rostoker-Gruber, an award-winning children’s author and ventriloquist. Karen (a member of my congregation) and I are now using our musical and storytelling talents to perform Hanukkah music shows for synagogues and JCCs. Our first concert recently took place at Agudath Israel synagogue in Caldwell, New Jersey. Our audience included local religious school teachers, principals, parents, grandparents and, of course, young children through 3rd grade. Karen and I (with my guitar in hand and her puppet Maria) sang Hanukkah songs, including one in Ladino and an imaginative “I had a little dreidel” song in which the audience was asked to imagine what other materials might be used to make a dreidel and sing a new verse based on the answer. We performed several magic tricks, one related to the miraculous jar of oil that burned for eight days and another involving a magic light bulb. We told the story of Hanukkah as the tricks were being performed. Karen read the story of Farmer Kobi while the audience watched the words and illustrations that were projected onto a screen. As the program came to an end, we had some of the kids play a game akin to musical chairs game using a “fake” latke Karen had made that kids passed from hand to hand while the music played. Then we all sang “Lots of Latkes” in three parts and concluded with the singing of “Oseh Shalom.”
Each family was given a gift of our Farmer Kobi book, which we had pre-autographed, and everyone (including me) had a wonderful time. Agudath Israel’s Religious School offered people an experiential program that engaged families and helped to build community. I felt that our program succeeded in meeting its goals as it provided an opportunity for families to join together for celebration and encourage a sense of community. I also think parents left feeling more confident about teaching their children and seeking opportunities to transmit Jewish learning to them.
I want to encourage more congregations and religious and educational leaders to consider bringing family programs to their community that will help to build relationships and community. Kol HaKavod to the staff of Agudath Israel!
You can read more about Farmer Kobi's Hanukkah Match and purchase your copies here.
