Page 36 - Jewish News_August-2020

36 August 2020 FOCUS ON YOUTH

A new approach to the challenges of parenthood

from a faith perspective

Book review by Philip K. Jason, Special to The Jewish News

Parenting on a Prayer: Ancient rated by Pessah’s personal experience, opportunities for really paying from the Jewish
Jewish Secrets for Raising Modern gives them a fresh life and resonance. attention to and respecting our prayer book, par-
Children, by Amy Grossblatt Pessah. Distributed through the chapters children’s growing insight and ents of all faiths, and
Ben Yehuda Press. 198 pages. are boxed sections designed to help the wisdom. perhaps even those
Trade Paperback $18.00. parents’ learning process. Here are par- The degree to which Pes- whose lives aren’t
tial texts of those “helping hand” learn- sah opens up the little world centered on faith,
arenting on a Prayer is a deeply ing tools: of her family for our inspec- can benefit from her
inspiring book, that if read with Ways to Teach Compassion for the tion is unusual. The mix of skills as an educator
Pclose attention and an open mind, Land and for all of God’s Creatures uncertainty and confidence, and the strong com-
can lead Jewish parents to a more ef- 1. Be kind and gentle with the land pride and humility, risk- mitment she has for
fective and confident understanding of and with all creatures. taking and protectiveness the parenting mission.
parenthood. In 18 concise chapters plus 2. Adopt a pet from a local animal contributes to the authenticity and Those open to her
an epilogue, Rab- shelter. credibility of her presentation. This is mission may discover themselves find-
bi Amy Grossblatt 3. Volunteer to do an environmental an intimate conversation between the ing a new relationship with God, God’s
Pessah shows how cleanup. author and her readers, as she dares children and their own.
the teachings re- 4. Purchase energy-saving parents to be truthful in assessing their Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus
cited regularly in appliances. commitment to their monumental task. of English from the United States Na-
the Jewish prayer 5. Plant trees in your yard or your Each vignette is powerful, helpful val Academy. He reviews regularly for
service about the neighborhood. and lovingly offered. Readers receive Florida Weekly, Washington Indepen-
relationship be- Words Matter: Questions to Consider glowing presentations of her children dent Review of Books, Southern Lit-
tween God and 1. What tone of voice do you use growing up in all the agony and ec- erary Review, other publications and
humankind can when you speak? stasy of the process. It’s essentially a the Jewish Book Council. Please visit
Phil Jason lead to activating 2. How do you work to build your 20-year span. Phil’s website at www.philjason.word
and refining a parallel relationship be- child’s confidence through your Though Pessah draws her lessons press.com.
tween parents and their children. words?
The functional metaphor is that we 3. How can you identify your
are God’s children and can use our tra- “triggers” so that you respond in FED
dition’s wisdom to play the Lord’s role the most compassionate way?
for our own children. These carefully thought exercises we are
The chapters have several dimen- are no small part of the book’s success.
sions. They begin with transliterations Throughout the Parenting on a JFEDSRQ.ORG
of familiar prayers, con- Prayer, with various de-
tinue with fresh transla- grees of intensity and Educating Jewish Minds Engaging Jewish Lives Enriching Jewish Hearts
tions of those prayers, elaboration, the author
and then elaborate the implores her readers to
wisdom through the au- be ready to turn the ta-
thor’s own stories of rais- bles on the usual family
ing her three children. dynamics. She persuades
Among the 18 chap- us to be open to learning
ter titles are key concepts from our children, which
like blessings, friendship, often means to hold off
gratitude, words matter, giving an immediate,
respect, empowerment, no doubt oft-presented,
trust, boundaries and answers to their ques-
responsibility. The se- tions and truly listening
quencing of the concepts Rabbi Amy Grossblatt Pessah to what they have to say.
is highly effective, and the repetition This is hard to do. We are so fond of
of prayers in full or in sections, elabo- exercising our authority that we miss

READ—SING—DANCE—GATHER—GROW

PJ Library has partnered with The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-
®
Manatee to provide families raising Jewish children with the gift
of free, high-quality children’s books, music, and resources that
foster deeper engagement with Jewish life in our community.

Join one of our PJ programs below
to start enhancing your family’s Jewish journey.

Children Ages 6 mo. thru 8 years
Hershorin Schiff Community Day School

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Multiple foreign languages, including Hebrew
Optional Torah Academy program
Competitive athletics Children Ages 8 thru 12 years
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Variable Tuition Model – affordable for every family
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Serving students in preschool - 8th grade

Hershorin Schiff Community Day School For more information, contact
Andrea Eiffert
1050 S. Tuttle Ave. Sarasota
(941) 552-2770 | admissions@communityday.org aeiffert@jfedsrq.org
941.552.6308
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funded in part by Edie and David Chaifetz.

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