Some of my earliest memories are Jewish memories. I remember the excitement of watching my dad build a sukkah in our backyard while sitting next to my sister for hours stringing garlands of cranberries and popcorn for decoration. Afterwards, friends, families, and talented neighbors - with violins and guitars in hand - came over to eat delicious treats, dance and sing in our Sukkah. My mom was (is!) a wonderful hostess. I would often come home from school on a Friday afternoon, and she would say, “Jenny, hurry and wash up, we have a family from (Kansas, Chicago, England… England?!) joining us for dinner.” It was a tradition in our home that whenever a new family moved or visited Orlando, our Rabbi would call my mom, and she would invite them over for a meal. She would say, “Remember, we were once strangers in the Land of Egypt.” And through welcoming guests into our home for Shabbat, my Jewish journey began.

I carried this practice into my own home with my husband and two daughters, and added to it. First learning Jewish “circle-time” songs with my daughter Stefanie. Later, my youngest Elizabeth told me when she was three, “my fingers need to be busy,” so we began celebrating Jewish holidays and creating Jewish memories by crafting afikomen bags, plague cups, and Shema babies. It was through these songs, hands on activities and precious keepsakes, that I really connected Jewishly with my family.

As my children became older, I had the wonderful opportunity to share our Jewish songs, crafts and experiences with hundreds of families in my own Jewish community. As the Director of Outreach and Engagement for the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, I created over 100 Jewish engagement programs all over Central Florida with the support of a special group of moms. We created Jewish experiences for our families in open and public spaces… an orange grove, strawberry farm, butterfly garden, bird sanctuary, fire and police stations, and many city parks (to name a few!). Our motto was, that no matter where we go, we would turn every place into a Jewish place through stories, songs, activities crafts and more!

I have loved being part of the Jewish journey for so many families, and along the way, I have discovered that families are searching for their own ways to connect and celebrate Jewishly - in a way that feels authentic for them. There isn’t a “right way” to be Jewish. I would bet, if you stood with your family in front of a mirror, you would see what today’s Jewish family looks like…it looks unique and diverse. It looks beautiful, accessible and looks like us all.

This first blog post is a “schecheyanu moment.” The schecheyanu is a blessing you can recite when you experience or do something for the very first time. You are invited to join me on this Jewish journey and discover ways to turn everyday moments into Jewish moments.

It’s easy, it’s joyful, and it starts now…