Children This Sunday
FFD Features: October 23, 2024
Hello Friends,
This past Sunday, your PreK – Kindergartener enjoyed some center time, while your 1st – 5th Grader learned about Abraham from the Torah / Old Testament. One thing you should know about Abraham is that he was imperfect. He did not question G-d’s orders to kill his son, Isaac, he enslaved people, and he impregnated one of the women he enslaved. Yet, he was also chosen by G-d to be the father of Judaism. During class, your child heard the story of Abraham and Isaac (if you’ve never heard the story, know that Isaac was spared), and considered why G-d would chose Abraham to be the father of Judaism when he was so clearly flawed. Then, your child was asked to think of themselves and create a self portrait that reflected all of their perfection and flaws.
If you or your child is struggling with perfectionism, then be sure to check out this week’s ‘Taking it Home,’ which contains resources you might find useful. And, while you are at it, be sure to check out October’s ‘Simple Song,’ #400 in the Grey Hymnal Shalom Havayreem. And, if you have time, use the hyperlink in this email to practice singing it with your child, as the whole church will be singing it during service this coming Sunday.
And, speaking of this coming Sunday, the children will start this Sunday in the Sanctuary. After which, they will head to their classrooms to explore the concept of peace from a Jewish perspective. This is our monthly Service Project Sunday, and trust me when I say you won’t want to miss it.
I won’t see you all Sunday as I am taking the Sunday off, but I will see you soon.
In love,
– M
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Special Announcements
Taking It Home: October 20, 2024
About Abraham (Or, How to Accept Our Imperfections)
Abraham is not only the father of Judaism, but Christianity and Islam as well. His story begins when he is just a young boy. Abraham grew up in a culture which worshiped idols. However, Abraham was not an idolater. As a child he came to believe there was only one god – omnipresent, and unseeable. And, being the first to discover G-d and follow his instructions, Abraham is now regarded as the first Jew.
However, as venerated as Abraham is, he was not perfect. Abraham also enslaved people, sired a child with one of the women he enslaved, and offered his son – Isaac – in sacrifice to G-d without question (thankfully, Isaac was ultimately spared).
One may ask, ‘why would G-d choose such an imperfect person to be the father of Judaism?’ Honestly, no one can answer that question with anything but speculation. But, the question itself does bring up another question, ‘If someone so flawed can become the father to three world religions, why can it be so difficult to accept our own flaws?’ Or, more pointedly, ‘How can we accept we aren’t perfect?’ To that end, here are some resources I recommend…
- Song: How Could Anyone (https://tinyurl.com/4pxh2k8x)
- Website: White Supremacy Culture – Perfectionism (https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/one-right-way.html)
- Book: How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis (https://a.co/d/8V0lLmV)
- Book: What to Do When Good Enough Isn’t Good Enough: The Real Deal on Perfectionism by Thomas S. Greenspon (https://a.co/d/7MHAkRp)
Simple Song
Sign this simple song with your children so that they may sign along in an upcoming service. A video with lyrics can be found here.
Singing the Living Tradition #400 – Shalom Havayreem
Shalom, havayreem!
Shalom, havayreem!
Shalom, shalom!
L’hitraot, l’hitraot,
shalom, shalom
Suggested Resources
Here are some additional resources on paganism for adults and children…
- Video: What is Judaism?
- Book: Understanding Judaism: A Beginners Guide to Discovering the Meaning, Beliefs, and Practices of the Jewish Faith (Journey Of Wisdom) by David E. Eaton
- Book: High Holidays & More: An Interactive Guide for Kids: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah by Sarah Mazor
- Website: Jewish Unitarian Universalists
- Musical Artist: The Maccabeats