Jewish Ritual/Celebration Boxes and Hands-on Activity Kits
Supplementary Program Kits
Some grantees are combining virtual or hybrid programming with supplementary holiday or ritual boxes that are delivered to homes, picked up by participants, or downloaded after registration. The goal is to enrich the educational experience and to increase the connections to Judaism and the sponsoring organizations. Click here to scroll down and view example kit photos. Click here to see more details on each program and helpful tips on using activity kits to enrich your programming.
Types of Jewish Celebration Boxes
Click on the icon to go to the type of celebration box that interests you most. Click here to see other helpful tips and strategies for using activity kits in your programming.
Example Kit Photos
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Program Kit Content Ideas by Category
Examples of Jewish Celebration Boxes:
Shabbat Celebration Boxes
Holiday Celebration Boxes
Introduction to Judaism Boxes
Below are examples of how kits are used in programs:
Quick links: Synagogues | JCCs/Federation Programs | Other Jewish Groups | International Programming
Synagogues
Jewish Play Kits - Congregation Beth Israel Vancouver
Congregation Beth Israel Vancouver, received a grant for its “BI Neighbourhoods” program, which is designed primarily for interfaith and conversion families. This is the 3rd year that BI has received a NCEJ grant. To help combat Zoom fatigue, the congregation is supplementing its on-line programming with physical items for families. The aim is to minimize “deliver and forget” and strengthen the connection to the congregation.
"We always want to be sure that our current participants continue to be connected – if we have an upcoming event, we generally send a more personalized invitation to them so we keep those ties strong as time goes on."
- Debra Bulmash, Program Coordinator
The congregation put together a Pesach Kit for families, with haggadahs, a seder plate, a bag of plagues, kids kiddush cups, and other items. In 2021 for the first time, there was a small suggested donation. As an extra add-on the kits were delivered right to their homes. One of the congregation’s rabbis hosted a Zoom Seder on the first night of Pesach where everyone could use their items. Over 80 families purchased the kit. For details on the kits see Jewish Celebration Boxes at the top of the page.
Strategies for Success — Spring 2021
- The congregation partnered with PJ Library to reach more families.
- For the first time BI asked for a suggested donation--$10 so those families who couldn’t afford that amount could still purchase one by putting in any amount they felt comfortable with, and the donations helped defray the program’s costs.
- BI hand-delivered every take-home kit, another element of the effort to make it easy for families to join in the programming.
For more information contact Debra Bulmash, BI Neighborhoods Coordinator.
Activity Kits for Conversion Class - Temple B’nai Israel, Monroe, LA
Four activity kits will be sent to participants of this 10-month Conversion Class, led by the congregation’s part-time rabbi, Rabbi Judy Ginsburgh. She expects that 7-8 people will register for the class. The class will meet virtually once a month for 3-4 hours, concentrating on a different theme/lesson each month. There will be a few in-person meetings and the Rabbi will meet individually with "students" as needed to prepare them for their conversion in the summer of 2022. Seven students converted in 2019, the last time the class was held.
Individual instruction/dialogue is a key component of this class - participants are encouraged to contact the rabbi to discuss any topic or get answers to any questions they may have.
Advertising: The class will be promoted on social media and in the local paper.
Program Materials: In addition to books, the rabbi plans on mailing 4 activity kits to participants: Shabbat/Havdalah, Mezuzah/Home Blessing, Chanukah and Purim.
Program Cost: $600
For more information contact Rabbi Judy Ginsburgh.
Jewish Experience in a Box - Congregation B’Nai Amoona, St Louis
The Art of Jewish Living: Inside & Outside the Box is a monthly, 6-session free program for those considering becoming members of the Jewish community. The goal is to give participants the tools to enable them to engage in “joyous Jewish living.” Although geared primarily towards those who may be interested in converting to Judaism, the program will also welcome those newly converted to Judaism. The purpose is to engage potential converts and introduce them in an experiential and meaningful manner to Judaism, particularly through holiday rituals and celebrations.
Advertising: The program will be promoted through the local Jewish newspaper, Facebook; ads in non-Jewish community circulars; and other digital formats.
Program Materials: Six programs including materials created, constructed and delivered as "Jewish Experience in a Box". Including, but not limited to, art supplies, symbolic foods, cooking materials, ritual and educational materials, etc.
For details contact Gail Armstrong, Director of Development
Chanukah “Observation” Kit - Temple Israel of Boston
The Open Door Program at Temple Israel (TI), a large Reform congregation in downtown Boston, is an entry point for those who are looking to explore, rediscover, or connect with Judaism and synagogue life. TI offers an ongoing slate of introductory-level classes, special events and discussion groups. Each opportunity is designed as a starting point for interfaith couples, spiritual seekers, and individuals entering a new stage of their Jewish life.
Advertising: TI plans on using a print brochure, targeted google ad words, Facebook, and a post card mailing to promote the Open Door program.
Supplementary Kits and Shabbat Dinner Experiences: Each semester TI offers holiday “observation” kits and a Shabbat dinner experience to Introduction to Judaism students. One of the goals of the Shabbat dinner is to help build community and foster new relationships among the cohort.
TI sends each of their fall cohort members a Chanukiah, a box of Chanukah candles, dreidels, a book of blessings, and some treats (including chocolate gelt) with the purpose of bringing Jewish traditions and practice into the home for the holiday. Once the Introduction to Judaism students receive the kits, there is also an online gathering where one of the rabbis leads participants in candle lighting and singing the Chanukah blessings, and talks more about the meaning of the holiday and how to observe it at home.
For more information contact Shoshanna Goldberg, Director of Membership and Development.
JCCs/Federation Programs
Jewish Essentials Kit - The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary
Jewish Essentials activity take-home kit (funded in part by NCEJ)
Jewish Essentials is a 10-week class that provides an introduction to Judaism, with a focus on the holidays and lifecycle events. The class is primarily geared to potential converts, interfaith couples, and anyone else who wishes to learn more about Judaism in a structured setting. The class is taught by rabbis from all of the congregations in Wake County, NC. The Spring 2021 session was the third time that this class was offered online.
Jewish Essentials offers a pathway to people who are interested in conversion, providing basic education and access to local rabbis as a first step on their Jewish journey. It also offers education for interfaith couples, who may someday get married and raise Jewish children.
Advertising: The class was promoted through e-mail newsletters, Facebook posts and ads, newsletters from local congregations, a “ShopLocalRaleigh” website, and a mailing to potential participants.
Program Materials: In order to enhance the experience of the online version of the class, the Federation supplemented the textbook (“Living Judaism” by Wayne Dosick) with “Intro to Judaism” kits containing items that pertain to the content of the class. The kits included supplemental readings, a printed guide for holidays and Jewish vocabulary, a mezuzah, and other items.
For more details contact Jorie Slodki, Grants Manager.
Jewish Celebration Kit - The JCC of Greater Pittsburgh (JCCPGH)
Families pick up a “Jewish Celebration Kit” prior to each holiday.
JCCPGH received a grant in August 2020 and January 2021 for a series of virtual holiday programs led by a trained educator, geared towards interfaith families and others who are marginally connected to Jewish life. One of the goals of the “Home to Home: Celebrations of Jewish Life” program is to “encourage families who have not yet made the commitment to raise Jewish children to engage in Jewish customs.” Families will receive a welcome kit and then pick up a “Jewish Celebration Kit” prior to each holiday. For details on the kits see Jewish Celebration Boxes at the top of the page.
"The need for Jewish Connection is stronger than we could have imagined."
- From the "Home to Home" program, JCCPGH
Highlights of the “Home to Home: Celebrations of Jewish Life” programming (Fall 2020):
Shabbat: Challah Detectives - The Challah Detectives experience aimed to bring families together to make their own challah while learning some of the lesser known traditions surrounding this weekly treat. Together families mixed their ingredients to make dough. While waiting for the dough to rise, families used their detective skills to discover the answers to questions such as “What does it mean to salt a challah?” Families also created their own challah cover to be used to build their own Shabbat traditions. While the challah was rising, families practiced braiding techniques using Play Doh. Families baked their challah on their own following the program.
Havdalah: Grateful for... Havdalah - 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.
Rosh Hashanah: Sounds of the Season - Sounds of the Season creatived experiences to immerse families in welcoming the New Year. Learning the sounds of the shofar and practicing the notes connected families to the global Jewish community. Building on the “call” from the shofar, families created a wind chime of Intentions for the coming year. Once completed, this family project served as an audible reminder of the intentions set as a family. Finally, families enjoyed crisp apples and sweet honey.
Sukkot: Guests in the Sukkah - In 2020 guests weren't able to be welcomed into a sukkah. Families participating in the “Guests in the Sukkah” session were invited to use a wall in their home as an indoor sukkah. They were encouraged to fill their indoor sukkah with photos of family members and to share family stories throughout the holiday. Children used art materials to create their own Super Sukkah Guests.
Chanukah: Donuts in the Dark - Shining a light on the determination of the Maccabees, families were challenged to create a chanukiah using donuts, donut holes, frosting, and other edible treats. Once all families completed their challenge, together as one community everyone recited the blessings and "lit" the chanukiyot using glow sticks for candles.
Highlights of the “Home to Home: Celebrations of Jewish Life” programming (January 2021):
Tu b’Shvat Terrariums (January 27, 2021) - Tu b’Shvat is the birthday of the trees. The Tu b’Shvat Celebration reminded families of their connection to the earth and in particular to the land of Israel. Once completed, these indoor gardens were a constant reminder of the importance of our natural resources and of the Jewish People’s connection to Eretz Yisrael. The celebration concluded with a Tu b’Shvat kiddush consisting of two kinds of juice.
Purim Hamantaschen and Purim Players (February 26, 2021) - The virtual Purim celebration reminded families of the bravery of Esther, the sweetness of hamantaschen, and the resilience of the Jewish people. As the celebration began, the Zoom screen was filled with costumed families. Together families rolled, cut, and filled dough to make hamantaschen while talking about the mitzvot and traditions of Purim. After adults put the hamantaschen in the oven, the JCCPGH lead families in an interactive and participatory Purim shpeil. As the story was told, families changed their costumes to represent the characters in the story. The goal was to create a long-lasting, fun memory of Purim.
Would You Rather Passover (March 21, 2021) - This celebration was intended to help families prepare for the holiday. “Would You Rather”, is a popular format for ice breakers, conversation starters, and all-around amusement in which two equally unpleasant choices are presented and each participant has to make a choice and explain their choice.
For Example:
Question: “Would you rather swim in a lake filled with charoset or maror?”
Answer: “I would rather swim in a lake filled with charoset because I love the taste of all the things mixed together. Also, swimming in maror would probably burn my eyes and make me cry!”
During the celebration, families created several “card containers” to help mark key points in the Seder. The boxes were filled with “Would You Rather” questions related to the Seder. Through this activity families gained a deeper understanding of the elements, rituals, and food used throughout the Seder. Following the celebration, families could use the question boxes to add conversation and family involvement during their Seders.
Shavuot – Shoebox Sinai (May 16, 2021) - The story of Moses receiving the Torah is a monumental moment in the story of the Jewish people. Families crafted their own Mount Sinai, Moses, the Ten Commandments and other elements of the Shavuot story with items from the Shavuout activity kit.
For more information contact Rabbi Ron Symons, Senior Director of Jewish Life.
Box of Joy Purim Box - The Buffalo Jewish Federation
Box of Joy is a box of Purim content designed specifically for multi-faith families where at least one family member does not identify as Jewish. Jewish Buffalo provided similar boxes to families for other Jewish holidays. The kits will contain a variety of items, including a bracelet & bells craft connecting Purim and feminism, a megillah scroll, a grogger, a hamentaschen project, Afghan spices to create a Mishloach Manot (Purim gift package for a local Afghan evacuee family), and educational materials.
"Our son is developmentally delayed so having the box to open and look at made it more fun for us. It brought a big smile to watch him eat the chocolate."
"It was wonderfully done with explanations of what to do and how to do and why."
- Participating Parents
Purim Gift Package for Afghan Evacuee Family
Working in close partnership with the local Jewish Family Services (JFS), each family will be given in their box a mason jar of Afghan spices and encouraged to create a Mishloach Manot package for a family of Afghan Evacuees. Jewish Buffalo will then hold an outdoor drop off event at JFS for families to drop off their packages that JFS will later distribute. This was designed as a way for the professional team to get additional in-person touch points with families who choose to participate in the Mishloach Manot project.
For more details contact Mike Steklof, Director of Jewish Experience.
Other Jewish Groups
Family Play Kits - The Jewish Enrichment Center of Chicago
The Jewish Enrichment Center of Chicago's Family Jewish program offers materials and support for families bringing Judaism into their homes. The play kits are filled with developmentally appropriate play materials, craft projects, song sheets, and information for grown-ups about Jewish holidays and topics. The materials included support grown-ups of any background in having the content knowledge and confidence to play Jewishly with their children and also bring Judaism into their family’s life.
For example, the fall series play kits offered family pretend play prompts for Rosh Hashanah, information on the origin of the Sukkot holiday, Chanukah candle lighting blessings, and more. The winter-spring series play kits offered information on the Shema prayer, recipes for making hamantaschen at home to celebrate the holiday of Purim, and art materials for decorating a matzah cover to use at a Passover Seder. Weekly online circle time included songs, stories, and play for the entire family, facilitated by an experienced early childhood educator. Click here to view example kit photos at the top of the page.
Activity Kits - What Worked:
- Families particularly enjoyed the art-based projects (e.g., paper dyed matzah cover for Passover, flower crowns for Shavuot, and tzedakah box) and authentic Jewish objects (e.g., shofar for Rosh Hashanah and candlesticks for Shabbat).
- Some families used the play kits throughout the week to bring more Jewish play into their home.
- Feedback on the play kits offered insight into the types of materials that children and families enjoy using together, which will allow JEC to plan ahead for in-person programming.
- The informational parent resources took time to develop, but can be used again for future programs.
For details contact Sara Grossman, Assistant Director.
International Programming
Introduction to Jewish Holiday Customs Kit - Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ)
Israel Reform operates many programs for interfaith and non-Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU). Many of these are for families with children of various ages who are interested in conversion. Converting with the Family: Introduction to Jewish Holiday Customs is a program geared to Russian-speaking immigrants. Holiday kits supplement online learning. The program is expanding, and will include a downloadable option.
“We deeply appreciate the grants awarded by NCEJ for this purpose and we have received strong positive feedback from families who feel more connected to Judaism and more educated as a result.”
- Tamar Roig
Advertising: The program was marketed via social media, Russian-language outlets, and direct phone calls to potential participants. Word of mouth was the most effective in Spring 2021, but there was also an increase in participants who came as a result of social media promoted ads (perhaps due to increased online usage during Covid.
Program Materials / At-home Kits: Kits were provided for each holiday. They contained items related to the holiday, arts and crafts for the children, traditional foods, and blessings and other materials. The holiday kits helped increase engagement, and also provided something that families can keep for the long term.
Highlights of the Celebration Kits
Tikkun Seder Tu b’Shvat - The celebration featured special songs, Jewish study, discussion of the custom of having both red and white wine, fruits of the Land of Israel, assembly of fruit plates from take-home kits, and related themes and values.
As one participant said:
“I thought the Tu b'Shvat Seder was very well done. We had booklets and fruit for each blessing so it was as if we were right there as part of the community even though it was online.”
Purim - The program included a Megilla reading, festive feast, costume competition, Mishloach Manot (Purim basket) parcel delivery, and discussion of the value of friendship. The service and other elements of the Purim celebration were only for registered participants (who were all Russian-speaking interfaith individuals).
Contact Tamar Roig, Director of Partnership Development, IMPJ, for more information.
Lessons Learned - Tips and Advice:
The at-home holiday kits created viable experiential activities, not only by having printed materials and booklets at home in Russian for interfaith families, but also the customary foods, ritual items and crafts for the children.
The activities and kits were an effective way to get them involved and prepared, and they now have ritual items and booklets that they can keep for the long-term.
A Tip for Next Time:
Israel Reform would add a button on their website, social media and newsletter that would enable an at-home kit to be sent to the homes of newcomers - not all of the newcomers registered in time and had to find materials to use from home.
Are You Looking for Funding?
Are you thinking of offering a program that will connect new people to Judaism and your organization? We can put you in touch with grantees who can give you ideas for effective programs that you can try in your community.
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.
Please share our grant-giving opportunities with your colleagues, or pass their names on to us. We accept applications throughout the year.
