Seeing things through to completion brings about good feelings. Finishing something makes us feel satisfied, accomplished, or even joyous, and sharing these feelings with others can elevate them further. How does your family celebrate or acknowledge completion?
CELEBRATING BIG FINISHES
Children complete feats all the time — they learn their ABCs, clean their rooms, and graduate grade levels each school year. Families mark completion of these accomplishments in different ways. Whether your family slaps a “high five,” makes a special dinner, or plans a party, acknowledging and celebrating completion is an important part of the finishing process.
According to parenting expert Wayne Parker in his Fatherhood.com article, “Celebrating Success: Ideas for Recognizing Your Child’s Accomplishments,” it is important to celebrate the milestones of a child’s life. “Often, as dads, we are willing to point out the areas for improvement or impose penalties for a lackluster performance,” he writes, “but we should have even more motivation to make a big deal out of the good things that our children do.”
MILESTONES & SIMCHAT TORAH
Judaism also celebrates completion. The holiday Simchat Torah, for example, celebrates the completion of the year’s chapter-by-chapter reading of the Torah in synagogues around the world.
On Simchat Torah, the final chapter is read aloud, finishing the annual cycle of weekly readings. The completion is cause for celebration, and many Jews enjoy singing, dancing, and jogging (not to mention eating sweet snacks, like caramel apples) around the synagogue as they proudly hold the Torah.
COMPLETION IN PJ LIBRARY BOOKS
The stories in these Jewish children’s books include celebrations of completion:
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All Kinds of Strong
Written by Sharon Reiss Baker
Illustrated by Kris Wiltse
Sadie Rose, Mrs. Mindel, and the whole community rejoice when they finish building their new synagogue. |
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Bim and Bom: A Shabbat Tale
Written by Daniel Swartz
Illustrated by Melissa Iwai
These siblings feel happy and satisfied when they complete their work week and mitzvot in time for Shabbat. |
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Feivel’s Flying Horses
Written by Heidi Smith Hyde
Illustrated by Johanna Van Der Sterre
Feivel celebrates when he completes carving his merry-go-round — his celebration consists of sending money to his family in Europe so that they can come to America. When the family arrives, they all ride on Feivel’s merry-go-round. |
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Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
Written by Anna Harwell Celenza
Illustrated by Joann E. Kitchel
Gershwin feels happy when he completes his concerto. The crowd celebrates his achievement by dancing enthusiastically to his music. |
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The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah
Written by Leslie Kimmelman
Illustrated by Paul Meisel
The Little Red Hen feels tired, yet satisfied, when she completes making her matzah and finishes all her preparations for Passover. |
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Sammy Spider’s First Simchat Torah
Written by Sylvia Rouss
Illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn
Sammy Spider celebrates the completion of the Torah cycle with Josh and his community. |
October 14, 2014