It’s here.

 

Summer.

 

Days are longer.  Windows are open.  The kids are playing outside after school and we’re eating dinner on the deck.

 

But what happens to Judaism over the summer?  For many of us, it’s almost like we take summer break from our traditions.  Yes, we’ve got Shavout (which, in my family, is currently being called “Grandma’s Bat Mitzvah”), but, that’s kind of it until Tisha B’Av, which, you know, isn’t what you’d call a “child-friendly” holiday.  Hebrew School is finished for the year.  There aren’t any b’nai mitzvah scheduled over the summer.  The rabbi goes to Israel….

 

So, what’s a mom to do?

 

Well, just like we find ways to enrich our children’s academic lives during school summer break, there are ways to enrich our families’ religious life.  Here’s an easy one.  If you’re traveling during the summer, make it a point to visit a place of Judaic significance.  Like a Jewish museum, a Jewish neighborhood, an old shul (or a new shul for that matter).  I have a friend who is taking a trip to New York and plans to take her family Friday night to the synagogue that has the rock and roll Shabbat services (I think they call it “Friday Night Live”).  There are lots of outdoor festivals and concerts during the summer.  Find one that celebrates Jewish life or features Jewish music (maybe Matisyahu will be in town).  And, there’s always the movies.  I’m writing this before it’s released, but from the trailer “Keeping Up with the Steins” looks like it’s going to be hilarious.

 

And, just because you are away from home, doesn’t mean Shabbat doesn’t exist—take a travel Shabbat box with you and experience Shabbat in a different city.  What’s a Shabbat box?  It’s as simple as a Ziploc baggie with Shabbat candles, small candlesticks, a small Kiddush cup, a challah cover and some yarmulkes.  Think of all the stuff your children made in nursery or religious school—those are perfect for your Shabbat box.   I have friends who always take a Shabbat box with them when they travel.  When they get home, they put a tack on a big wall map over the city where they’ve had Shabbat.  They love using the map to reminisce about past Shabbats and dream about new places they’d like to visit.

 

Speaking of Shabbat…candle lighting is much later during the summer.  I don’t enjoy lighting the candles by myself during the early darkness of winter.  Summer gives you time to experience this ritual as a family.

 

Because of our over scheduled lives during the school year, we don’t always have time to go to services.  Things like sports, lessons, club meetings and even homework compete for time on Friday night and Saturday morning.  In summer, things are more relaxed—children can stay up later, and since they weren’t sitting in school all day, they’re less likely to complain about having to sit through services.  (Well, maybe they’ll still complain, but they’ll have less of an argument).  So, use summer to go to Shabbat services as a family, especially if it’s not something you normally do. My synagogue (and I know others do this as well) offers outdoor services.  These are my favorite services of the year.  They’re casual.  They’re a little shorter.  But really, there is something so fitting about praying outdoors on an early summer evening.  Feeling the breeze blow and hearing the birds sing lends to the spirituality of the experience in a way no Sanctuary could mimic.

 

This summer, for the first time, our daughter will be away from home at camp.  It’s not a Jewish camp, although, there are enough Jewish campers that they offer Bar and Bat Mitzvah tutoring for an additional fee.  I’m planning on continuing one of our family traditions with Sofie long distance.  Each Friday night, my husband and I bless our children before dinner, sharing special thoughts and messages with each one.  So, every Friday, Sofie will get a special note along with her letter from home.  On it will be written our blessings for her for the week. 

 

After all, some things just don’t take a break for the summer.

 

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