IT’S HOT OUTSIDE, and that means summer is really here. For children (especially school-aged children) summer has the allure of freedom and fun. It also presents opportunities to play with friends and enjoy family.
Have you talked about summer with your children? Specifically, have you considered the ways in which friends and family are valued in Judaism? Consider a few of the summer-related materials below. They come from PJ Library and its partner Shalom Sesame. We hope they help spark meaningful summer conversations in your home!
CHAVERIM
Summer is a time for chaverim (friends). Whether at Jewish overnight camp or in your home’s backyard or neighborhood park, spending fun time with friends often represents the epitome of summer freedom.
Being sent out this month (July 2012) to PJ Library readers in the Dates & Almonds (4 to 5 Years) Age Group is Barbara Reid’s Fox Walked Alone. In this book, Fox makes friends with other animals walking two-by-two toward a mysterious destination.
Below, Shalom Sesame shows us how friends of different backgrounds can enjoy each other’s company and treat each other with respect (kavod):
MISHPACHA
Along with chaverim (friends), summer is also a time for mishpacha (family).
PJ readers in the Challah Toast (3 to 4 Years) Age Group will receive this month (July 2012) Five Little Gefiltes by Dave Horowitz. In this story, Mama Gefilte isn’t thrilled when her curious little ones leave their jar and go out to explore the world, but she can certainly be proud of what they know about being a mensch.
In the classic Shalom Sesame clip below, the Sesame Street Muppets sing about family:
SHEMESH STARTS WITH SHIN
When you think “summer,” you think “sun.” In Hebrew, the word sun is Shemesh. Shemesh starts with the Hebrew letter Shin.
For PJ Library families in the Bagels & Lox (Ages 2 to 3 Years) Age Group July 2012 brings Michelle Edwards’ great introduction to the Hebrew alphabet, Alef-Bet.
Here, Shalom Sesame introduces early readers to this summery Hebrew letter:
We hope that gives you plenty of summery things to discuss (and read) together as a family!