What happens to people when they die? Where is God? Can we have a Christmas tree?  These were the questions that my children were asking in 2012, the year I decided to participate in Parenting Through a Jewish Lens.

I’d been hearing about the class for several years, and it seemed like the right time for me to enroll. The class was held at my synagogue, Dorshei Tzedek, and I was looking forward to discussing these challenging questions with other parents, some of whom I only knew in passing.

I enjoyed learning new perspectives around communicating strong values to our kids and integrating Jewish practices into our lives, such as morning blessings and the bedtime Shema. However, my favorite aspect of the class was being part of a supportive cohort. As the parent of small children, it was a rare chance to sit down and reflect on important issues with other parents. We shared painful stories and struggles, celebrated parenting successes, and validated each others’ journeys. I found that hearing others’ experiences and considering tough issues as a group helped me figure out what I believed in, and what felt right for me.

Given how much I got out of the class, I’m extremely happy to be the new Parenting Through a Jewish Lens Coordinator in Hebrew College’s Adult Learning Department.

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