Looking for something to do now that camp is over and school has not yet begun? Pack your bags (lunch bags, that is) and join the Growing Jewish Families crew as we take on the town of Vienna! Meet us for a performance by the Great Zucchini. After the show, we will head to Vienna Park on Cherry Street for a picnic lunch and playtime.
Monday August 30
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Jammin' Java (227 Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA)
Contact Michelle Pearlstein (703.537.3033) for more information.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Explaining tzedakah
The company my husband works at is holding an employee vs. executive softball game with teams competing as to the size of the donation their charity of choice will receive. (There are no losers here.) Our friend is the president of a local volunteer-based organization that helps with all sorts of needs of low-income Fairfax residents (Our Daily Bread) and her organization will be one of the recipients. Players, cheerleaders, and their families are encouraged to bring donations (monetary and in-kind) to the game.
This past weekend, we went shopping with our kids for items from the organization's wish list to bring with us to the game. We tried to explain that we were buying things for people who need them but who don't have enough money right now to buy what they need for their families. We tried to buy one for us and two to donate (at least for some items). Our son wanted to put some Lego sets in the basket. If toys were on the wish list, we would have, but we did want to point out that Legos are never a "must" but only a "want" anyway. I asked my son, "What would happen if we didn't have any food in the house?" He answered that we would go to a restaurant. His response made me think. First, that was smart and reasonable. Second, he has no concept of what it would mean not to have. He's only three, and so I think that's OK at this point, but I was thinking about how to really get into his head that it's not an option for everyone. The concept of tzedakah and giving in general is one thing, but really understanding is another. We're going to make a conscious effort to work on that in the future.
This past weekend, we went shopping with our kids for items from the organization's wish list to bring with us to the game. We tried to explain that we were buying things for people who need them but who don't have enough money right now to buy what they need for their families. We tried to buy one for us and two to donate (at least for some items). Our son wanted to put some Lego sets in the basket. If toys were on the wish list, we would have, but we did want to point out that Legos are never a "must" but only a "want" anyway. I asked my son, "What would happen if we didn't have any food in the house?" He answered that we would go to a restaurant. His response made me think. First, that was smart and reasonable. Second, he has no concept of what it would mean not to have. He's only three, and so I think that's OK at this point, but I was thinking about how to really get into his head that it's not an option for everyone. The concept of tzedakah and giving in general is one thing, but really understanding is another. We're going to make a conscious effort to work on that in the future.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Adult - Tot class in Leesburg
The Rosie Uran Jewish Edcuation Center in Leesburg, VA is now accepting students for its Adult-Tot class. The class runs for thirteen weeks beginning September 22. Class date is Wednesday and times are from 9:00 - 10:30. The class is a great introduction to the group experience and includes "Judaicly-flavored" art, music, stories, dance and other activities. Cost is only $200 for the series. For more information, email Sheri Brown, Preschool Director, at rujec@sha-areshalom.org or call 703.737.0686.
Early childhood Jewish education spots for older children are also available.
Early childhood Jewish education spots for older children are also available.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Reminder about next Shalom Baby playdate
Sunday, August 22, 10am - noon at the JCC
As always, this is a free, informal opportunity for the kids to play and the parents to socialize!
Please RSVP directly to Michelle Pearlstein. See you next Sunday!
As always, this is a free, informal opportunity for the kids to play and the parents to socialize!
Please RSVP directly to Michelle Pearlstein. See you next Sunday!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
A vacation for whom?
We just took a vacation - our first road trip with both boys - to Dutch Wonderland and the Choo Choo Barn. I know that the 3-month-old won't remember a thing, and that's fine. I was wondering whether the 3-year-old will. It's an effort to get us all somewhere for days and are we taking a trip for them or for us, I asked myself when the baby was screaming, the preschooler was whining, and the lunch was spilled all over a picnic area because of a bee. Well, I have a vague recollection of a trip to the Philadelphia Zoo with cousins when my brother was still in a stroller, and somehow I remember that being an important part of my childhood! I don't even know whether there are any photos of it, but I poured over the zoo yearbook for ages afterwards. So, maybe the trip is for the kids just as much as for the adults... It doesn't have to be something amazing to make them very happy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
