The Bridge Core Values – Week 13 – Judaism

Date: 02/17/08

I John 4:10-11 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

This week at Bridge Kids, we began talking about including other cultures into our world. Today the Harris Family spoke to the BK’s about their Jewish culture.At the Bridge, we welcome everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life into a community where they matter. We care and make an effort to provide a safe place for those who have slipped through the cracks of family, church, or society. Our passion is to love people simply because they exist. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.

We first presented three things that were important in their Jewish family: God, Family, Enjoying life. The Harris’ then described how those items were celebrated with various ceremonies like Shabbat, Hanukkah, and Yom Kippur. Then we got to make puppets for the story telling of the Jewish holiday Purim; Esther was a queen whose bravery allowed her people to continue to be included in their society. As we told the story of Esther we cheered and jeered at the various characters, depending on whether they included others or not.

The Harris family has included Judaism in their lives, hopefully, by them sharing this part of their family with the Bridge Kids, you might want to share a little bit of your family’s culture with them. God likes us to lovingly include others in our lives, to show others respect and love, even if they come from a different background.

February– Bridge Core Values – Inclusion of cultures - Judaism

Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what learned about Judaism Today. Ask your kids what they thought about the story of Esther.
Do an activity together:

This Friday hold your own Shabbat service– clean the house, prepare a meal, before sundown and spend the rest of the night as a family. No TV, just good family time… you may even invite another family over!
Understand – Judaism holds God, family, and life up as the top three things that are important. What three things are important in your family’s culture? Plan ways that you can make these priorities in your family’s life.

Research – Go to your local library together and research the Jewish culture. Create artwork similar to what you find in your research, write fun reports on Judaism and present them to each other at home.
Incorporate – Find something fun about the Jewish culture that you can incorporate into your home, whether it is a fun tradition, family ceremony or particular type of artwork that you can do together.