VOL 5, ISSUE 2
TEVET – SIVAN 5772
WINTER/SPRING
Chai lights
2012
a publication of the JCC Family Programs department
L’Dor v’Dor From Generation to Generation Deborah Friedman: From a Grandmother’s Perspective
Carley Brooks: From a Mother’s Perspective
Grandparenthood is a stage in life that is miraculous and one of G-d's greatest gifts. When our daughter and son-in-law were expecting our first biological grandchild, we learned about Jewish Baby University and Shalom Family. The concept of birthing classes along with discussion about raising Jewish children was one we fully supported. What a perk that in the process new friendships – the bonding of the couples in the class and the fact that the unborn children were already a circle of friendship. The love and support among the group that we witnessed when the babies started to arrive was proof enough that JBU "delivers" on so many levels. Two more grandsons later, more classes, friendships and bonding and we started attending the Shalom Family events. What better place to be than with young Jewish families raising committed Jewish children?
I began my journey with Shalom Family the moment I registered my reluctant husband and I for Jewish Baby University when we learned that I was pregnant with our oldest son. On the first night of class, we sat there looking around the room, wondering in disbelief how we were ever supposed to make friends with the fourteen couples surrounding us. Well, it took time, and lots of births, but soon enough, many of the women and babies from the class began to get together for regular Friday morning play dates. Several of us even returned to the JCC to tote our little ones to various Move and Learn classes, including music, tumbling and even a toddler art class!
We are proud of the staff and volunteers who make this organization an icon in the community. We show our thanks and support by making annual donations to Shalom Family. As a real estate professional in Denver, I donate a percentage of my commissions to ensure continued programming and this year my husband and I are proud to be part of the Grandparents Circle of Giving. Won't you join us and donate to this worthwhile organization in honor of your beautiful grandchildren?
A Family Programs pledge form is on the inside cover of this guide. Please take a minute to consider giving a gift to support these important programs.
That room full of strangers became my life line. I learned to count on those other new mommies for advice, support, empathy, and humor. Now, four years later, most of us have had second or even third children and our needs have changed. We still rely on each other and Shalom Family programming still speaks to us. The most recent Shalom Famiy program that I attended was Mahj, Moms and Margaritas on Cinco de Mayo, where some of the alums from my JBU class and I learned to play Mahj Jongg for the first time. We have now parlayed that experience into a weekly Mahj game. The bonds that I have made with the families from that very first class are proving to stand the test of time. I count some of those other mommies among my closest friends. Even my once reluctant husband can't deny how these friendships have enriched our family's life. We wouldn't have had this support system without Shalom Family. We are grateful for all that this organization has done for us and we choose to show our gratitude by making charitable donations to Shalom Family each year so that they can continue to do for other families what they have done for us. Please join us in supporting these invaluable programs and consider making a gift to Shalom Family, your children will thank you.
CONTENTS 02—03 Pledge Form
04—05 Prenatal Classes
06—07 Move & Learn Schedule
07 Celebrations & Events
08—09
12—13
13—15
JBU
South Metro
Youth Programs