Shabbat
Hava Nagila Havdala with Israeli Food - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens GA (2024)
Congregation Children of Athens, GA is planning a Hava Nagila Havdala service and Israeli dinner for PJ Library families (many of whom are interfaith). Many PJ families have never celebrated Havdalah, and this is an opportunity to introduce them to the concept, as well as to provide a positive experience related to Israel.
Families will make spice containers with mesh bags and whole cloves, to be used later for Havdalah. Then they will be served a dinner of Israeli food--falafel, hummus, pita, etc., and Israeli wine for parents. After that a volunteer will teach Israeli dances. The program will end with Havdalah.
Impact of Prior Programs
Athens has a small Jewish community. Marilyn Gootman, PJ Library Coordinator, states in the application that in the past, when similar programs were undertaken (such as a challah bake and home-based Shabbat dinners) many strong friendship bonds were created and numerous families joined Congregation Children of Israel, the only synagogue in town. Some parents even assumed leadership roles!
Marketing: The program will be promoted via emails and newsletters to all PJ parents, as well as with individual personal outreach to each family and through paperless post.
Ideas to Emulate
Offering positive experiences with a Jewish education component that can lead to Jewish friendships and that provide something Jewish that families can incorporate into their lives.
Providing Israeli wine which is available locally to encourage participants to purchase Israeli products.
To engage folks who have never come to any events, organizers plan to have active families personally contact other families and have a parent create and send out the paperless post so that it is more personal, coming from a peer.
Program Photos
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Challah Detectives - The JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, (JCCPGH) (2020)
The Challah Detectives experience aims to bring families together to make their own challah while learning some of the lesser known traditions surrounding this weekly treat. Together families will mix their ingredients to make dough. While waiting for the dough to rise, families will use their detective skills to discover the answers to questions such as “What does it mean to salt a challah?” Families will also create their own challah cover to be used as they build their own Shabbat traditions. While the challah is rising, families will practice braiding techniques using Play Doh. Families will bake their challah on their own following the program.
Grateful for... Havdalah - The JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, (JCCPGH) (2020)
Grateful for... Havdalah brought families together to experience Havdalah. Each family created a Havdalah kit and had the opportunity to use it in a virtual Havdalah service. Throughout the program, participants brainstormed ways to make gratitude part of a Havdalah experience.
Find ideas for advertising your program by checking out our Marketing Gallery
Check out our Marketing Gallery. NCEJ reimburses for some of the costs for graphic design and printing. Examples of promotional material we have funded recently include: print and digital ads, banners, postcards, brochures, and flyers. We encourage grantees to consider trying hyperlocal media as well as national sources.
Helpful Links and Additional Resources
We add articles and links for Jewish holidays here on our Resources page. If you would like to feature your page or program, please contact us, as we update this list throughout the year to help others with their programs.
Have a Question? Reach Out to Us
Have an idea but not sure it meets our guidelines? Please reach out to us at 301-802-4254, or contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director.