She is especially enjoying is participating in the Jewish Grandparents Network-Baltimore, where she sits on the Advisory Committee and attends programs with her granddaughter. A national organization, headed by Lee Hendler, the Jewish Grandparent’s Network was created to recognize the role of grandparents in supporting today’s new Jewish families. The local affiliate is managed by the JCC. 

Full Circle 

“Before I became involved in the Jewish Grandparents Network, I was teasing with my friends that we need a child study for grandparents.” (For those who don’t know or remember Child Study, it was a program in which parents could connect with other parents with similar age children, hear from great speakers and talk about the issues and concerns you might have.) 

She first learned about the Jewish Grandparents Network from her friend, Linda Lapidus, who works at the JCC. And then she received a call from her friend Shelly Hendler, who explained more about the program. I thought, “this is exactly what I am looking for.” 

Bonding over Shabbat and Camp 

“Grandparent Shabbat has been a warm, beautiful and easy way for us to celebrate Shabbat together. We swim together (at the outside pool in warmer weather, inside in the colder months), then enjoy a dairy dinner. Audrey (with the JCC) sings songs and leads prayers, and then we often dance to her music after dinner. 

Gramp Camp, which was held when schools were closed for the Jewish holidays, brought us together for a program that included multiple 20-minute segments, including opportunities to interact with activities from Port Discover and Pearlstone. 

Judy is the child of two Holocaust survivors. 

For Judy, being raised by Holocaust survivors cemented how important it was to pass down Judaism to future generations. It particularly meant a lot to her mother to make sure the religion and its values lived on.  

“With her no longer here, I feel a certain responsibility to ensuring Judaism’s continuity. And the Jewish Grandparents Network helps me achieve that,” she says.  

Best Part of Being a Grandparent 

In addition to feeling that “watching your grandchild is like seeing the best part of your child,” Judy points to a quote from American writer Ruth Goode, that sums it all up. 

“Grandparents are always being told that they are living history to their grandchildren, that they give the children the reassurance of their roots. For me and many grandmothers I have talked to, it works the other way as well. They give us continuity.”  

What she learned from her grandchild. 

“I remember it was a beautiful day and I was taking a walk in the neighborhood with my granddaughter. I was thinking about what to make for dinner and what I wanted to do the next day.  

Suddenly my granddaughter stopped to listen to some birds chirping. As I watched her, I realized we often spend too much time thinking about the future, overlooking the beauty of the moment and letting life just pass us by. It’s amazing what young children can teach us about what is important.”  

She loves all the Jewish holidays, but her favorite is … 

Her secret to a good life. 

Family, respect, patience and love. 

My love language is food. 

“They call my house Judy’s Bar and Grill.  I love cooking for my family, and they often want to know about today’s ‘specials.’ During COVID, when my niece was pregnant, I would cook and deliver food to their homes once a week. The ironic thing about it is I would say I’m not necessarily the best cook. But they love it, I love doing it for them … and it is free.”