Women's Circle Mezuza Workshop

Chabad’s Jewish Women’s Circle

Hosts Education and Mezuzah Workshop

 

Over 30 women from throughout the county participated in the Jewish Women’s Circle’s last Sunday evening, August 7.   The evening was held at the Goshen Comfort Inn and Suites.

Established last August by Chana Burston of Chabad of Orange County, the Jewish Women’s Circle is a program geared for Jewish women of all ages, affiliations and backgrounds.  Each monthly event highlights a unique Jewish theme and incorporates elements of creativity, learning and social opportunity.

The program, entitled, “Raising Jewish Children, Grandchildren and Teens in America,” was led by Mrs. Sonia Young, of Buffalo, New York, an experienced educator and art instructor.  Each participant created a beautiful clay mezuzah case for her home.  A mezuzah is affixed to a doorpost and provides a Jewish home with protection.

“Many women have asked my advice regarding education,” explains Chana Burston.  “How do we help our children develop a love for the Jewish tradition and Jewish values? How do we instill pride for our heritage?  This evening helped answer these questions in both an informative and creative way.”

“Every person has a G‑dly spark invested within them”, said lecturer Sonia Young.  Young explained that Jewish education starts from birth, and that allowing our children to experience spirituality at a young age satisfies a natural desire for a child to connect with her heritage.

Young promotes creating a home environment that envelops the child in Judaism and thereby generates a conscious and subconscious strong Jewish identity.  Some of Young’s suggestions include affixing a mezuzah with a handwritten scroll on a child’s bedroom door and for parents to create a Jewish children’s library of books and tapes.  Young also stresses the importance for children to have a charity box in their room and learn to place a coin in the box everyday from a young age.  Jewish music and artwork, and Jewish themed toys, further increase a child’s Jewish awareness.

“We must discuss with our children how lucky they are to be Jewish,” encourages Young. “They are continuing the long chain of our legacy of over 3,000 years.”  Celebrating holidays and Shabbat can allow for quality family time as families share in the excitement of the tradition.  Providing a child a Jewish education in a day school, or through a Hebrew school program, is of utmost importance.

“When a child is young, we connect to them through play,” says Young.  “As a child advances to teen years, we must develop an open relationship by participating in activities they enjoy.”  She also emphasizes the importance of teens experiencing Israel and joining a Jewish youth group.

Creating colorful clay mezuzah cases was another highlight of the program.  Some made a mezuzah case as a gift for a child or grandchild.

A resource table of Jewish books, music, games and toys was displayed for women to browse and view the incredible resources available for children today.  A Jewish children’s resource guide, compiled by Chana Burston, was distributed.

Chana Burston led participants in a brainstorming session for ideas for topics for the coming year.

The evening finished as everyone enjoyed delicious trifle, mezuzah shaped cookies, and other refreshing summer desserts.

For more information about the Jewish Women’s Circle, to request a topic, and for a copy of the Children’s Jewish Resource guide please call Chana at 782-2770 or e-mail [email protected].  For a complete listing of Chabad’s events, log onto www.ChabadOrange.com.

 

To view photo gallery of event, please click here.

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Invitation for Event

Jewish Women’s Circle

Presents

 

 

“RAISING JEWISH CHILDREN & TEENS IN AMERICA TODAY”

DEVELOPING A LOVE FOR JUDAISM AND JEWISH VALUES • INSTILLING PRIDE FOR OUR HERITAGE

 

DESIGN AND CREATE A BEAUTIFUL MEZUZAH

FOR YOUR CHILD’S ROOM (OR ANY ROOM)

 

• Lecture and program by Mrs. Sonia Young •

 

Sunday, August 7 at 7:15 pm

 

at the

Goshen Comfort Inn & Suites

20 Hatfield Lane, Goshen .

 

 

Fee: $10 (art supplies included)

 

Enjoy refreshing summer desserts and drinks

 

 

Please RSVP promptly

PLEASE CALL CHANA AT 928-1701 OR WRITE

JWC@CHABADORANGE.COM

 

 

Sonia Young, of Buffalo, NY coordinates programs for Jewish Education & Israel awareness. Sonia studied

art at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn & received a degree in Jewish education in Melbourne, Australia. A mother of 3 & accomplished artist, Sonia has lectured on topics including “Jewish Art History” & “Exploring Kabbalah through Art.”