It may a country across the sea—but there are lots of fun, easy ways that parents can inspire connections between their young children and Israel, from wherever you live. Here are some of our favorite ideas—we’d love to hear yours in the comments section or on our jkidphilly facebook page:
- Watch: Your jkids can take a virtual trip to Israel years before the ever take a real voyage there. We especially love the short video clips of people and places in Israel masterfully narrated by Grover and his friends on Shalom Sesame.
- Eat: Make an Israeli salad, falafel and pita with your kids. Or visit one of Philly’s many wonderful, authentic falafel eateries like Mama’s Vegetarian, Pita Pocket or the new Dizengoff, designed to feel like a hummus stand on Tel Aviv’s famous street.
- Share: If you have been to Israel, take out old photos or artifcats that you brought home and share them with your jkids. Or if grandparents, aunts and uncles or anyone in the family has a special connection to a trip, friends in Israel or special feeling about connecting to Israel, invite them to share thos experiences with your children.
- Read: We love all of the wonderful PJ Library books focusing on Israel—and the questions that can lead to great discussions between your kids. Here’s a complete list of PJ’s Israel titles.
- Sing: Listening to—and singing—Hebrew songs is a wonderful way to build children’s capacity for learning Hebrew, connecting them to Israel’s language. Play your PJ Library Cds in your car, sing with your kids and bring a little Israel into your home!