Marcia, Asher (11.5), and Robin Matthews

We asked Robin and Marcia Matthews about their favorite Jewish activities, their connection to Jewish community, and the ways jkidphilly has impacted their family. 

What do you enjoy about jkidphilly?

jkidphilly has been a part of our life since our now-11-year-old was about 4. We are an interfaith family and were barely practicing before our son was born. jkidphilly gave us some great opportunities for us to get to know more about –and reacquaint with —  Judaism.

What kind of Jewish activities do you enjoy at home?

Lots these days, especially as our PJ Our Way kid creeps closer and closer to his Bar Mitzvah! We often bake challah together, light Shabbat candles on Friday nights, tune into virtual Shabbat services at our synagogue, and participate in as many PJ Our Way activities as we can.

What are your favorite PJ Library books?

Our collection of PJ Library books is huge; we have been receiving them for over 7 years! Our  favorite ones for young children were:

  • Ari the Engineer and the Rosh Hashanah Ride

  • Rise and Shine: a Challah-Day Tale

  • The Shabbat Puppy

  • Flying High (we are Patriots fans – don’t hate – so, this book by Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman remains a particular favorite!)

Our son’s favorite PJ Our Way book is Stealing Home. He has re-read it three times!

Are you part of any other organized Jewish communities?

We are members of Temple Sholom in Broomall. Our son is in the Gesherim (6th grade) class and I (Robin) teach the Bonim (K/1) class there.

What do you think other parents should know about jkidphilly?

Other parents should know that jkidphilly is always so happy to hear from families and tries really hard to meet their needs. They’re really more than just a bunch of people who send out free books and put on programs; they’re a resource for so many things that Jewish families might have questions about.