From Generation to Generation: How do you raise your children Jewishly?
In honor of l’dor v’dor, a Jewish saying that means “from generation to generation,” we spoke to young families to find out how and
why they raise their children Jewishly.

*Rosen photo courtesy of Rebecca Barger
The Hoffman Family
The Heller Family
The Varon-Mosquera Family
The Rosen Family
“We live Jewishly in the little
details of our lives. We teach our
children about giving back and
donating their time to others. We
have a Shabbat meal every Friday
night and include friends in our
community or extended family.

We find a true connection to our
synagogue. That’s our personal
Jewish journey, but there are so
many beautiful ways that Judaism
can enter our lives on a daily basis.

From helping a friend, to being
kind, to simply being respectful —
we try to model Jewish values as
best we can.”
“The Jewish community allows
for children to understand
their part of something greater
than themselves and their
immediate family. Something
their parents, grandparents and
great-grandparents were a part of
and that they will have the same
responsibility to pass on to their
children. We sent our children
to Jewish preschool, where they
got their foundation in Judaism
as well as going to Hebrew
School. More than that, they see
it reflected in the time spent with
our families celebrating holidays.”
“Raising Sarah Jewish is a mitzvah
of high priority for us. Raising her
with Jewish values as a foundation
is a great gift we are giving to her and
to the world. Also, for my husband
Daniel, it is a way to honor his
Jewish heritage. As a mother who
has embraced Judaism, I feel very
happy to be part of the commitment
to help strengthen Sarah’s Jewish
identity and pride. We want our
daughter to grow up loving being
Jewish, and being aware of the social
responsibility that this entails and
the positive impact that she can have
on the world.”
“Neely is the grandchild of
Holocaust survivors so l’dor v’dor –
the passing down of traditions – is
fundamental to who we are. Raising
kids Jewishly means creating a
home filled with Jewish ritual and
sensory experiences – the sounds of
Carlebach around the kitchen table,
the smell of the Havdalah spices,
the feeling of braiding challah
or shaking a lulav, the ritual and
rhythm of Shabbat – and modeling
a commitment to community and a
connection to Israel. We supplement
public school with Hebrew school
and Jewish day camp.”
Joy and Ryan Hoffman with their
children: Ella (14 y.o.), Ethan (12 y.o.),
Emily (10 y.o.) and Evan (4 y.o.)
Rachel and Corey Heller and
their children: Julia (6 y.o.) and
Joey (9 y.o.)
Daniel Varon and Ivonne
Mosquera with their daughter:
Sarah (7 y.o.)
Neely and Leon Rosen and
their children: Symon (8 y.o.)
and Aleah (10 y.o.)
Young families in our
community are counting on you!
3 Ways For Local Families
With Kids To Live Jewishly
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia proudly supports a number of
organizations, programs and initiatives that support young families and their
ability to pass on the traditions and values of Judaism to the next generation.

Check out these Jewish Federation supported
programs and see the full list at
jewishphilly.org/youngfamilyguide YOUR gift makes an impact:
$840,000+ for day and overnight Jewish summer camp
scholarships and grants
1 Calling all bookworms! Sign up for PJLibrary and
receive free Jewish children’s books every month.

2 If you’re raising an interfaith family, read up
on 18Doors and their resources for interfaith
families (and couples without kids!) to engage
in Jewish life.

3 Got a budding David Beckham (he’s Jewish!)
in your family? Check out the Kehillah soccer
league, which starts in September.

6,990+ households participated in educational programs
to strengthen their Jewish identity
5,935 children received Jewish-themed books and music
that bring Jewish traditions into their home life
Invest in our community’s next generation.

Make your gift today.

jewishphilly.org/donate or call 215.832.3484
16 AUGUST 12, 2021
JEWISH EXPONENT
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM