Building Jewish Relationships in Downtown Baltimore

By Rabbi Jessy Gross
Director
Charm City Tribe

It’s nearly 4 o’clock in the afternoon.  While most folks prepare to wrap up their day, I find myself smack in the middle my schedule as I jump into my car to go from a coffee date in Hampden to happy hour in Fells Point. I have just met with a a community member to discuss the upcoming Shabbat dinner we are planning for this coming Friday night.

The menu is Mexican-themed. That’s despite the fact that our goal for this Shabbat is to celebrate the leadership and memory of the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King and consider the civil rights work still to be addressed in our society.  We agree that we will ask each participant to bring something with them to contribute to our gathering: a song, an excerpt from a speech given by the great MLK or a piece of Jewish text that helps us understand what our tradition says about the pursuing justice in the world.  As I work my way down the 83 corridor, I take mental note of my responsibilities to follow up for MLK Shabbat.

I meet Elisheva, from the Bnei Israel young adult group, at Max’s Taphouse. We’re going to discuss a partnership for a downtown service day for young adults, as well as the upcoming Israel celebration on April 16.  As we talk, the bartender interrupts us to introduce himself. He recognizes me – the rabbi that put Max’s Taphouse on the cover of the Baltimore Jewish Times.

He tells us how excited the owners were and how I “am not what [he] expected” when he spoke to me on the phone recently.  I smile and say, “Thanks, that’s my goal.” Elisheva and I return to our discussion, leaving the bar with even more ideas on what we might do together.

I head home to finish preparing dinner for a young couple I met a month earlier.  He grew up attending Jewish day schools in Baltimore and married a lovely non-Jewish woman from Connecticut. Now, they seek to plant themselves in the Jewish community in a way that is meaningful, while also meeting the needs they have identified as a couple.

Halfway through dinner an out-of-town friend, the owner of a grass-fed kosher meat company in New York, arrives at my house and the four of us sit together and share stories. We talk a bit about our differences and our similarities in regards to Jewish identity, music interests and current happenings.

It is easy to feel the turbulence of a job that keeps me moving to different corners of the city in which each discussion has the potential to give birth to a new idea, project or Jewish journey.  And yet, each of these encounters is grounded in the same effort: that my work is to engage, excite and explore possibilities for individual Jewish journeys and strengthen Jewish community among young adults.

I see these days as the days of sowing seeds that we want to grow into seedlings in the months to come.  During the first six months of my work as Director of Charm City Tribe, I’ve begun to engage Jewish young adults living downtown in conversations that will foster community. I see the months to come as the time to start figuring out the common threads of these one-on-one discussions as we start to lay groundwork for community building.

Sometimes, it is hard to navigate the data and the trends which suggest a “lost generation” among those in their twenties and thirties.  Many feel they lack core knowledge and a connection that most would agree is a prerequisite for Jewish engagement.

But the best part of my job is inviting these conversations and finding ways to bring people together to further explore and experiment with their relationship to Jewish tradition.  In many cases, I am excited to discover that most people are not apathetic about their Jewish heritage. They just have not found the right combination to unlock the connections they feel and the forums in which to share and grow with others.

When I report to supervisors, funders and other colleagues in the field I gladly report that the spirit and soul of the young Jewish people is rich. Our task is to work together to find meaningful ways for people to exercise and learn more about who they might be as Jews and to discover an identity that will be meaningful and sustainable in the lives we, as young Jewish adults, are living in Baltimore in 2013.

As the rabbis teach us, the work is great and the day is short but there is so much to be done. I imagine a year from now we will see the bubbling up of chevrei (friendly groups) among young Jewish adults in downtown Baltimore who are getting together and building social relationships, while exploring their Jewish identity. Not only will their lives be enriched, but they will strengthen our generation of Jews so that we can continue our link in the chain of our ancient tradition in ways that are meaningful and appropriate in our time.

Beth Tfiloh at the 2012 General Assembly

By Aaron K.
Class of 2013
Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School

“Life is full of tears of joy and tears of despair. Life is not made of years but of moments” – Elie Wiesel

Just as Martin Luther King demonstrated on the National Mall in 1963 for a cause he firmly believed in, so too did 250,000 people demonstrate on December 6, 1987 for the support of Soviet Jewry. The issue: Jews throughout the Soviet Union were living under anti-religious, anti-Semitic and Communist oppression and were denied the ability to emigrate. They were hunted down by the KGB for even the slightest detection of religious practice. Possessing scant knowledge of Jewish history, customs and holidays, many of them either assimilated or converted. Those that chose to fight, however subtle it may have been, were called refusniks and were often convicted of treason and sentenced to long and harsh prison sentences in Siberia.

Perhaps the most famous refusnik, Natan Sharansky,was sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment in a Siberian labor camp for teaching Hebrew to students. While he was frequently held in solitary confinement and in a special “torture cell,” Sharansky became the first political prisoner released by Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, thanks to intense political pressure from Ronald Reagan and the Jewish community in the United States.

This December we mark the 25th anniversary of the largest active protest on behalf of the Jewish community in American history. It was protests like these that helped end the Soviet oppression just a few months later.

Yet the passage of time diminishes the reality of history, making it belong to ‘those’ people, in another age, epoch, and place. This is a phenomenon that the Jewish community desperately hopes to avoid. As the last of Holocaust survivors die off, it is up to future generations to remember such tragic and important events as if they experienced them.

As such, about 20 students from Beth Tfiloh’s senior class headed down to the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly. Few had ever heard of the issue of Soviet Jewry until we were inspired by the stories and open dialogue of Elie Wiesel and Natan Sharansky. Their leadership among the Jewish community and their dedication to our history is truly admirable.

Students like Marisa K., class of ’13, shared in Wiesel’s sentiment regarding the historical illiteracy of young people. “I was appalled to learn that such an event had never been made known to me and my peers. We definitely need to do a better job as a community to make sure that our history is never forgotten.”

In response, Rabbi Frank is coordinating a significant program this winter dedicated to understanding the Soviet Jewry movement.

Regardless, the American Jewish community in the 80s and 90s protested vociferously. According to senior Josh L., their actions were truly commendable.

“Political advocacy in response to the Soviet Jewry crisis yielded tangible results. From this, I learned that we must actively pursue justice rather than passively acquiesce in the status quo.”

As an overall conclusion on the hour long conversation Tali V. ’13 had this to say, “It was incredible to witness Wiesel and Sharansky, two men from different generations of savage anti-Semitism involving Jewish concentration camps and gulags, sitting together and conversing in today’s society of Jewish freedom and power.”

While the dialogue between Sharansky and Wiesel was certainly the main event at the General Assembly, seniors got chances to see the inner workings of the North American Jewish community by listening to unique speakers that spoke about issues such as: Israel and the Media: Tools for Effective Communication; Investing in Israel and Improving Results; and, Israel’s Haredi Community Today.

Economics student Elliott S. ’13 was very impressed with the session about investing in Israel for its information and open dialogue between the audience and the presenter. “As I intend to study economics in college next year it was very mind opening to learn that Israel’s market is a great opportunity for American companies.”

During lunch, the delegates from Beth Tfiloh sat with staff and lay leaders from The Associated and helped the community by writing letters to American soldiers returning home for the holidays and by making blankets for poor and needy children. “Very seldom do I get to have a direct impact on the Jewish community as I do at the General Assembly. I can make blankets for the poor and yet I can sign up to learn more about other issues from so many other organizations as well. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience,” commented Yuval M. ’13.

In addition, the break gave students a chance to chat with members of dozens of organizations and learn about the services many of these groups provide. The students thoroughly enjoyed getting free souvenirs, whether a Theodore Herzl mug provided by the World Zionist Organization, a free t-shirt courtesy of the JFNA, popcorn, jelly beans, free newspapers from the Jerusalem Post and even massages. According to Jordan S. ’13, who went with his local National Conference of Synagogue Youth group (NCSY), “Like AIPAC, this was a great opportunity to meet Jews and supporters of Jewish causes from around the world and build a meaningful relationship with them.”

Fun for Sukkot

By: Melissa Berman
Assistant Director of Arts & Culture
Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore

If you are like me, your memories of decorating the Sukkah include some type of paper chain creation. First, you would inevitably cut the paper strips to different widths and then you would contort the paper until it twisted just right. Once you found someone tall enough to help you hang it, the links would tear just as you stood back to admire your creation. Hardly the start to a joyous Sukkot!

But don’t let the paper chain fiascos of the past get you down!  Hidur Mitzvah (beautification) is a fun part of the Sukkot celebration in which the whole family can get involved.

Fruit and Veggie Banner
Since Sukkot celebrates the harvest time, why not create a fruit and veggie banner? Use heavy felt to cut out the various shapes. After this step is complete, cut holes in the shapes and thread them onto some ribbon. Then string and hang.
As an added benefit, your children may even want to eat their fruits and veggies, now that they’ve had a chance to “play with their food.”

Family Sukkot Celebration
You may have shaken a Lulav and Etrog but have you made an Etrog shake? On Thursday, October 4 from 5:30-7:00pm your kids can make and shake their own crafted Etrog Maracas during Deborah “Spice” Kleinman’s family friendly concert at the “J.”

This Family Sukkot Celebration will also include a craft table and fresh produce for sale by Kayam Farm and a short service led by our very own Rabbi Jessy Gross.

Artist in Action
You can also watch as the panels for our Sukkah are being created. Local silk painting artist, Alkesandra Fadeyeva will be making art in our lobby on Monday, Sept 24 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, Sept 27 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m. and Friday Sept 28 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.

As it is tradition to welcome others into your Sukkah, we invite you to wander through our Sukkah and enjoy your holiday with us.

Summer Craft Ideas For The Family

By DJ Schneider Jensen
Director of Early Childhood Services
Center for Jewish Education

Its July.  You’re back from the beach, been to Hershey Park twice, and, thanks to the storms that caused power outages, spent plenty of time at your in-laws.  You don’t need ideas for mini vacations, you need things to do. Crafty things to do that will keep the kids busy and maybe even entertain you.  
Here are some fun things to do when you are out of creative juices.

1. I’ve always loved scrap-booking, and my sons loved making their own pages. Instead of investing in expensive albums, attach 10 index cards together using a key ring, and let them create a mini scrapbook/brag book.  Let them pour over photos on Facebook, photo sites and photos in your house.  When you print their photos. consider using black and white rather than full color. It costs less and looks very elegant. Once your children have the photos they like, offer them glue sticks, stickers, scissors and “fancy” pens to decorate each card, one page per side. Encourage your children to use the photos to write/illustrate a story, one that they can send to Bubbe or take to synagogue or even share with friends. This could start a fad. Make “trading books” and swap with your friends at school!
2. Let’s not forget food.  Make some frozen treats.  Grapes are the best.  Easy to freeze and fun to eat.  Just wash the grapes and put them in a bag to freeze. Same with oranges.  Cut them in half and pop them into a Ziploc in the freezer.  When it’s time to eat them, simply wrap the base in a little napkin, point your kids towards the back yard and you have 10 minutes to chill.
3. Get in out of the heat and do something cool!  Create really cool Rosh Hashanah Cards.  Using card stock (sometimes called tag board), cut the paper in half so you have two sheets that are 8 1/2′ by 5 ½.” Your child can decorate the cards anyway you’d like  – try cutting an apple in half and making apple prints, or decorate with the seeds of the apples glued on the paper.  My boys loved blowing bubbles with straws in cups of colored water.  The bubbles would pop onto the paper and create beautiful tie dye-like prints. Once the paper is dry, hole punch the long side and let the children thread yarn through the holes, making a stitched card.  Looks great.  You can make several of these in an afternoon.
4. Use a new technique to make some decorations for your sukkah this fall.  Using scratch foam block printing, you can make pictures to hang, remembering our 7 ushpizin guests. Hey, maybe you can come up with a few others to invite!
5. Get a jump on next year’s Seder by creating a Seder Plate using rocks.  Find nice size rocks, clean them up (that, by the way, could be very fun for little ones).  Using Sharpies or other markers, have your child draw the different parts of the plate. (karpas, charoset, etc.).  OR, they can make one rock for each plague. (You may want to write what they tell you about their creation on the underside of the rock. Just in case someone forgets.)

When crafting with your children, please remember that they are only this age once. You don’t want to, or need to, teach them how to perfect each project.  If you really are itching for perfection, wait until they are asleep and do it on your own.

The beauty, the bonding, is in the process.  Ask open ended questions and use this time to get to appreciate your child’s creativity and thinking process.  Believe me, I’d do anything to have my 24-year-old make Seder plate rocks with me again!

How’s your summer reading going? Check out PJ Library and learn how to bring wonderful, FREE Jewish Books to your home.

For more information on PJ Library, call the Macks Center for Jewish Education at 410-735-5000. Then take a seat on the couch with your little ones and enjoy sharing some stories together!

On Manhigut

By Erika Schon
Former Director
Baltimore Hebrew Institute at Towson University

The Hebrew word for leadership, manhigut, reminds us that we expect a certain conduct, or minhag, from our professional and lay leaders. This behavior includes the careful consideration of succession. Dr. Hal M. Lewis, the noted author on Jewish leadership, writes “the essence of an authentic leader in Jewish tradition is the individual who is always in search of his or her replacement…the true test of success is the long-term continuity of an idea or movement.”  

And so, with humility and gratitude for a challenging and rewarding tenure both at Baltimore Hebrew University and, for the last three years, at Baltimore Hebrew Institute at Towson University, I have taken this notion to heart. 

I am proud to announce that on July 1, Jill Max assumed the position of Director of BHI. Jill is already well-positioned to take on the helm of BHI, having spent the past year as Assistant Director of BHI, focusing on Adult Education initiatives. I know you will join me in wishing Jill ongoing success in her new and expanded responsibilities.

It has truly been a privilege and an honor to play a role in the establishment of Baltimore Hebrew Institute. The integration of BHU’s programs into Towson University was a landmark achievement that was possible through the close collaboration and support of the ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. The transition required not only bridge funding, but also creativity and bold thinking to develop a new educational model. 

As you know, I have tremendous respect and excitement for the programs and students that we are supporting here at TU. In just three years, Towson has become a recognized address for Jewish Education, Jewish Communal Service and Jewish Studies, with outstanding academic offerings for both undergraduate and graduate students. With an exceptional Judaic library collection, dedicated Towson faculty and staff, enthusiastic and talented students and strong University-wide support, I am certain that we have found a wonderful new home for our programs. Each year, I couldn’t be more proud of the BHI-affiliated graduates and I know they are also proud to be members of our BHI family.

As I write this, I am also participating in another first at Towson University that was made possible through the ASSOCIATED’s support: the Instructional Leadership Institute for Jewish Educators runs from July 9 – 13th. Today is day three of the stimulating, well-organized and enlightening week-long course. The 45 educators enrolled in the course span the broadest spectrum of Jewish affiliation and each brings unique experiences and perspectives to the class exercises and conversations. The Institute is being taught by four expert faculty members from Towson University’s Center for Leadership in Education. Following the five days of intense classroom study, the course will continue with online forums throughout the year.  

The success of this innovative professional development initiative has already generated tremendous enthusiasm from all the students and I am personally thrilled to participate as I prepare to launch new music education projects next year. 

To the ASSOCIATED, as well as all of our stakeholders and friends, thank you for your trust and support during our journey together. May we go m’chayil l’chayil, from strength to strength!

Volunteering Helps Young Adults Connect to Judaism

By Sam Stern
Jewish Volunteer Connection   

Young adults are eager to volunteer. It’s true! I might even go so far as to say that volunteerism is one of the best ways to keep young adults interested in Jewish communal life.

During my time at Jewish Volunteer Connection (JVC) I encountered a variety of Jews at our young adult events, all of whom knew exactly why they wanted to be there and often why they brought their friends along. In her commencement address a few weeks ago for the Brandeis University Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program, Dr. Erica Brown mentioned that “For the past decade, the tagline of Jewish life has been Tikkun Olam – go fix the world,” and growing up in this culture, many of today’s Jewish young adults in their 20s and 30s are doing just that.

With the drop-off in Jewish engagement for people in their 20s, alternative methods to the classic ‘synagogue membership’ are required. Volunteer programs like JVC are important to sustaining our community, because they fill the need for many young adults to go out and make the world a better place.

Young adults today want to work with multiple demographics, from seniors to impoverished people to individuals with special needs. Providing young adults with a wide range of groups to work with helps keep them interested and motivated.

At every JVC event for young adults, we strive to make sure that we incorporate components that increase their Jewish identity. We created new Jewish learning flyers, and if time allows, we hold a discussion. The topic of the Jewish learning is a section of Jewish text that relates to helping others, or specifically the group we are serving that day. We want to remind all of our volunteers that while helping their community by itself is terrific, there is a Jewish purpose to volunteerism.

Volunteers make a difference in our community, in our city, in our nation and across the world.  We are fulfilled by the desire to express our Judaism in ways that make sense to us. Celebrate our strong young adult community in Baltimore and maybe try volunteering if you have a little time.

Check out JVC’s upcoming young adult volunteer opportunities>>

What I learned from TGI

By Hanna Fiddle
TGI Fellow 2011-2012

This year, I wanted to get involved and help make a difference in the lives of others.  THE ASSOCIATED’s Teen Giving Initiative (TGI) has been that opportunity for me this year.

TGI is filled with 20 nice and amazing teens who wanted to make a change like I did.  We bonded so much over the year with a lot of fun activities.  We had a blast at the overnight, grew together in the day-long retreat at Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center, and made so many memories along the way.  This whole program has been a wonderful experience.

In addition, I strengthened my leadership skills.  I feel confident in being able to do such great things on my own now.  Not only was this fun, but we raised a lot of money that we are going to donate to organizations focused on either education, domestic abuse or homelessness.  We raised money through various efforts including letter writing to out-of-town family and friends, a phon-a-thon where we called teens in Baltimore, and two fundraisers.  Our fundraisers were “Make Maggie Moo’s a Mitzvah,” an ice cream event at Maggie Moos and the Krav Mag-Auction.  The Krav Mag-Auction – part Krav Maga class, part Silent Auction – was one of my favorite parts of the program.  I had so much fun in the class getting a workout, and even won a prize at the auction!

I am so proud of what this year’s TGI cohort has accomplished under the leadership of Amy Steinberg.  She was such a wonderful person to have as our guide throughout the year.  While I am sad that our year is almost over, I know that this will not be the end of our actions.  Thanks to TGI, I have realized how important it is to be a leader and how much I love it.  One day, I hope to have my own organization for kids with Tourettes.  I will continue to help others and I hope that everyone else does the same.  It certainly has been amazing!

Learn more about teen programming>>

Knowing and Using our Rich Jewish Tradition

By: Cindy Goldstein
Executive Director
The Darrell D. Friedman Institute for Professional Development

The visionaries of 45 years ago in both the social work and Jewish communal field, such as Dr. Daniel Thursz, brought together secular learning with Jewish learning. Whether the technique was to learn them in distinct settings or integrate one with the other, Dr. Thursz and others recognized then that Federation and other communal workers needed Jewish learning to inform their work in the Jewish community. After all, what would be the difference between a Jewish nonprofit and any other nonprofit organization? Jewish tradition, text and values inform our work and make it holy.

All of us working or volunteering in the Jewish community are doing holy work.  We are making a difference in people’s lives within a Jewish context.

In order to do that, we should not be afraid of learning, yet instead let the values and the teachings of the past give us the foundation to be strong leaders, to make decisions, to lay the foundation for how we treat others, for how we give tzedakah and, most of all, to inspire us as leaders.

As leaders – professional and lay – we are the emissaries. When we are knowledgeable about text, tradition, ritual, values and Israel… and can then in turn teach others around us, what a blessing. Looking to the past inspires us and helps us to innovate. The Bible, Talmud and related texts have determined meaning and identity for the Jews for centuries. Dr. Erica Brown, scholar and educator, uses text to show us how inspired Biblical leaders take on a mission or act on a calling, and then she asks us to look into our own psyche. She teaches us that “inspiration does not just help us recharge our batteries but it is critical in expanding the membership of our organizations, retaining those who are burning out and keeping active members joined to an institution’s core values.”

Our tradition is rich. Look at the Hagaddah and how we use it to “bring the past into the now. In order to fully learn from and appreciate that which went before us, we must bring that past into the present and search for the relevance to our now,” comments Orlee Turitz, Director of the Jewish Leadership Institute of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

Professional skill sets and competencies in the Jewish communal field include Jewish literacy. This may entail board and staff learning Jewish history together such as in DFI’s current Jewish Heritage program, or bringing text study into an organization’s business, or taking a class in Judaism 101. Part of our responsibility as Jewish leaders is to increase our commitment to Jewish literacy.

To take it a step further, Hal Lewis, President and CEO of Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, contends that Jewish leadership is something different. Jewish literacy is not sufficient to guarantee Jewish leadership. True leadership development involves transmission of skills such as coping with change, visioning, motivating people, fostering teamwork, mentoring and risk taking. In teaching all of these skills there is much to be learned from our tradition and it is incumbent upon us to follow in the footsteps of a Daniel Thursz and continue to find ways to meld the “skill” with the “Jewish” and therefore to work “better,” coming from an informed Jewish tradition.

We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us as we continue our holy work and perpetuate a strong Jewish community for generations to come.

Register today for DFI’s Jewish Heritage>>
Next session: April 18, 2012

Family Life Unplugged

 

By Lara Nicolson
Family Engagement Program Associate
Macks Center for Jewish Education (CJE)

It is an exciting time of transition in the literacy of both my children. My 4 ½ -year old is starting to sound-out and read sight words while my 6-year old can read independently and enjoys reading bedtime books to her brother.  My husband and I have always enjoyed the ritual of reading with them after bath when they are cuddly and warm and starting to feel sleepy. They also love this time together and if we miss it, they truly don’t settle as well. I am starting to feel a little sad that our reading habits may change and that in a few years they may no longer want to snuggle with mommy and daddy but will be under the covers with flashlights and their favorite adventure chapter books till all hours.

My kids are voracious readers and we visit the library regularly to pick out dozens of new books to enjoy. We also enjoy building our own Jewish library with our monthly PJ library book selections and some of our favorites have been:  Five Little Gefiltes by David Horowitz, Bagels from Benny by Aubrey Davis and Hanna’s Sabbath Dress by Itzhak Schweiger-Dmi’el.

We are such enthusiasts that we were featured in the Baltimore Sun describing how PJ library has enhanced our family’s Jewish experience. My kids are so excited to receive their own mail in the form of that white PJ library envelope addressed to them, which holds the promise of a new book or CD. Once, we were at a friend’s house and a PJ library envelope arrived in their mailbox. My daughter, astonished that someone else also got this special treat, realized that we are part of a larger community of PJ families and was so proud to share this with her friend.

The fact that I work for PJ library (after volunteering as a PJ parent) is another source of pride for my children. Although daddy works in a fancy office with friendly co-workers who dish out M&M’s, mommy still has the coolest job. I imagine my children think I sit and address the PJ library books myself and send them out all over the world (almost like non-Jewish children see Santa and his elves). To be honest this is done from a national location but I won’t spoil it for them now. When they age out of PJ at 6 1/2- years-old, I know our family will continue to build our Jewish library and I am now inspired to buy the books for them.  If you don’t yet receive the PJ library books, sign up now.

We have really enjoyed expanding our PJ experience by meeting other families at the PJ on the Town events.  At the December Aquarium event, which was co-sponsored by Beth-El Congregation, my children loved the dolphin show and the fruit sushi roll-ups as well as the stories and crafts. My daughter was most excited that a classmate from her school was there to share the time with her (another PJ friend).  In January, we all rode the train at the B&O Railroad Museum with Temple Oheb Shalom and my children again found new friends who helped them complete the last few scavenger hunt questions they could not find. They loved the program at one of their all-time favorite museums – The Walters Art Museum with Baltimore Hebrew Congregation and seeing the faces of the rabbis and teachers they know.  And seeing Poe, the Baltimore Raven’s mascot, at the Sports Legends Museum, co-sponsored by Har Sinai Congregation, was very exciting. Check out the CJE Facebook page to see photos from these events, and register now for the next PJ on the Town.

For me, PJ library means unplugging from the iPod, TV and fast pace of our lives and being a family together and sharing our special places with new friends.  I would love to hear from you: how has PJ library touched your life?

Techno-Savvy Grandparents Keep in Touch

By Irene Kushner
Support Services Coordinator
Service Coordination, Jewish Community Services

Last year, the nation marked the 65th birthday of the first Baby Boomers.  The rate at which this age group has adapted to technology is understandably lagging behind the generations who have come after them. But the rate at which their children and grandchildren are using technology is climbing very fast.

Today, millions of American families are separated by distances that are too wide to make day-to-day grand-parenting possible.   Just look around.  How many of your friends, colleagues or neighbors live in families with three generations present? How many grandparents live near their children and grandchildren?

The more family trees branch off — as children head out of state to college, Boomers relocate for work, and grandparents move to warmer areas — the harder it is to stay in touch.  Geographical distances strain the real life, face-to-face relationships that we value.   It’s very easy to take important relationships and slide them to the side if they are not in front of you as often as those on your computer or phone.

Many grandparents will tell you they’ll do everything they possibly can to communicate with their grandkids.  Most Boomers understand they must jump on the Facebook/Skype/texting bandwagon, or be left permanently out of the loop.  Grandparents are using their own ingenuity to keep their grandchildren emotionally close, and more and more are embracing the new technology.  They reap enormous emotional benefits through online communication with family and friends.  The Internet uplifts their spirits and creates new life for them, making them feel young again. Video conferencing is the most satisfying experience that enables seniors to see and talk with their loved ones in real time.

Here’s what seniors are saying:

“I’ve got 2 grandkids. If I send them a text, they will respond 10 times quicker than they’ll respond to a voice mail.”

“I can log on to Facebook to see what my grandkids are doing through their posts.  I love seeing pictures of their activities and travels.”

“You can write messages any time to your grandchildren without disturbing them.”

“I get a thrill out of impressing my granddaughter with my technical know-how.”

We grew up with lined paper and the heft of a fine writing instrument.  But now there is an entire generation of kids growing up who have never experienced what life was like before social networking sites.  There are a million arguments for completely ignoring Facebook and other social media:

“Why can’t they just…?”

“What was wrong with…?”

“Hand-written this or that…”

And nobody under the age of 40 cares about any of it.  None of it matters anymore.  We are old dogs who must betray the saying and learn new tricks. We must commit to keeping up with the way that communication happens today, or else it will be happening among all the people we care about, without us.

Do you think it’s the adult children’s responsibility to make sure seniors or grandparents don’t feel they are left behind, to set up the various communication lines and make it happen?  Sure, it takes time and a little patience to do this.  But isn’t it also one way of showing that we value and care for our elders, and that we want our children to enjoy special relationships with their grandparents?

Want more articles like this one? View our Seniors Blog>>