Sending my children to a Jewish school brings me immense joy. Yet, the most significant benefit is that we, as parents, are learning alongside them. Witnessing their excitement when they come home each day with new discoveries is truly heartwarming. My children’s school projects and lessons have become an unexpected source of learning for me.

I remember fondly that as a child, my family would always have Shabbat dinner together. It didn’t mean we were always eating chicken and potatoes with challah, but we would light the Shabbat candles and sit down together.

My kids have helped bring that childhood tradition to our own home. When we celebrate Shabbat together, I can see that they’ve learned at school how to welcome Shabbat. They know the blessings over the wine and challah, and I watch them with pride as they move their hands to cover their eyes when we light the Shabbat candles. Seeing them bring home what they learn at school is really special. And I love that together we are creating our own unique family customs, blending the traditions from previous generations with the new teachings of today.

Earlier this year, when Adam was learning about Rosh Hashanah, he was taught the tradition of eating a new fruit on the holiday. He ran home from school and immediately asked me if he could eat a pomegranate. I realized that I had forgotten about this tradition and didn’t have a new fruit for our Rosh Hashanah table which I quickly remedied.

Adam also has learned the importance of Sukkot and every year comes home from school and asks when we’re putting a Sukkah up at our house. A tradition that we are happy to continue.

Every holiday, I notice more and more school projects come home and end up on our holiday table or in the storage box after the holiday concludes. These tangible keepsakes, whether it’s a challah cover, a kiddush cup or a beautifully decorated seder plate, take pride of place in our home. They spark discussions about our heritage and beliefs. When we uncover that handmade seder plate each Passover, it’s a reminder not just of our history but also of the creativity our children bring to our traditions.

Displaying these items is not only what our kids see during the holiday, it also demonstrates my appreciation for what they have created. It makes them proud of who they are, and proud to be Jewish.