What’s a Jewish Costume?

A couple of years ago, I received a telephone call at work from my then-7-year-old. Who, by the way, I didn’t even know could use a phone. Bad mommy, I know.

Lilly: Mama, can I be in the multi-cultural fashion show?

Me: Is it tomorrow?

Lilly (laughing): Of course it’s not tomorrow.

Me: Then this conversation can wait until tomorrow. Anyway, why would you be in a multi-cultural fashion show?

Lilly (eyes audibly rolling): I am Jewish, you know.

[Sidenote: the audible eye-rolling at 7 ought to have been a clue that she's going to give us a run for our money.]

I was intrigued that not only did Lilly sense that her Jewish identity extends beyond issues of faith, but she was willing to stand up and take her place among her Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Egyptian, and Indian classmates.

Now we just had to figure out what she should wear. I mean, it isn’t as if one could just go online and find a “Jewish” costume.

Ha-ha! If only this had taken place today. Because now Walmart has made it ever so easy for boys and girls to dress Jewish. Because there is such a high demand?

Looking for a Jewish costume for your son? So very many options from which to choose. He can be “King David“–a costume that is nearly identical to their “Royal King” one only with David Ha-Melech (in Hebrew letters, no less) embroidered on the back. Descended from the lowly Israelites but have a lifelong yearning to be a member of the Levites? No problem. Now your son, or husband as they have adult versions available, can don the “Jewish High Priest” costume. Walmart offers the opportunity to dress up your son as a “Seifer Torah” (Torah scroll), a “Jewish rabbi” (is there any other kind?), and a “Grand Jewish Rabbi.”

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PJ Library Corner: A Tree is Nice, Indeed

In case you didn’t know, there’s a minor Jewish holiday coming up on January 25th called Tu Bishvat, and it’s all about trees.

Oftentimes referred to as the “New Year for Trees” or the “Birthday of the Trees,” Tu Bishvat comes as the trees in Israel just start to blossom (we know, we know, there’s still snow on the ground in many places right now, including Israel, but an early springtime celebration never hurts).

Anyways, back to the trees: many families celebrate Tu Bishvat by planting trees and celebrating all that they have to offer. This month, PJ Library, an organization that sends out free Jewish books to families each month, offered up a true gem, just in time for Tu Bishvat: A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry, illustrated by Marc Simont. Originally published in 1956 and winner of the Caldecott Medal, this charming picture book is a throwback to a simpler time, and a reminder to soak in the wonder of nature all around us.

Inside the book are simple lines like, “Trees are very nice. They fill up the sky,” and, “Trees make the woods. They make everything beautiful.” The pages are accompanied by elegant illustrations, making it easy for a reader of any age to see just how beautiful trees can be. The book also devotes a section to planting trees, a common Jewish tenet that is even more popular come Tu Bishvat time. If a tree seems a bit too big for your little ones to handle, planting your own parsley is another great idea (and it will be fully grown in time for your Passover seder!).

The funny thing about trees is that they ARE nice and they ARE everywhere but seldom do we give them much of a thought in our day-to-day lives. Whether it’s reading Udry’s book, going on a walk in your neighborhood to pick out a favorite tree, or planting your own, use Tu Bishvat as the perfect excuse to help your kids celebrate trees in all their leafy glory.

Want to get books like A Tree is Nice sent to your door every month, for free? Sign up for PJ Library. If you live in the New York metro area, you can sign up through Kveller by clicking here. Everyone else can find their local PJ community by clicking here.

How To Civilize Your Kids

Don’t pay someone else to teach your children etiquette. Just start early—and make them write thank-you notes. 

By Marjorie Ingall



(Photoillustration Tablet Magazine; original photo Shutterstock)

Last week, the New York Times ran its semi-annual story about consultants who give lessons to children about manners. This piece was well-timed, since I’m hearing lots of post-Hanukkah muttering from bubbes and child-free humans nationwide about children’s failures to send thank-you notes for gifts. The Times piece is essentially the same as every other bemoaning-the-death-of-manners piece the newspaper has run since the dawn of time. (Here’s one on the lack of manners at bar and bat mitzvahs! Here’s one on Petit Protocol classes at the Hotel Pierre! Here’s one on don’t-shriek-when-presented-with-asparagus-soup classes at a New Jersey hotel! Here’s one on some darling African-American children at a charter school who begin every class with Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” and this article is not at all anthropologically wide-eyed and condescending—oh wait, yes it is!) All these stories are really about parents falling down on the job, neglecting to teach civility, and outsourcing the task to strangers—some of whom charge hundreds of dollars for the privilege.

Put away your checkbooks. I will now teach you to civilize your little heathens for free.

You know those Hanukkah presents your children received? They have to say thank you. If they are old enough to hold a crayon, they are old enough to write a thank-you note. You say, “Let’s make a picture for Auntie Sophie! She sent you that fabulous plastic dreidel full of chocolate you ate in a nanosecond, remember?” If the kid is too young to write anything, you write the note on the picture and tell the kid what you’re doing. Believe me, children absorb things the way a latke absorbs oil, especially when these lessons are consistent. If the kid can write his name, have him sign the note. If the kid is physically capable of writing her own note, force her. If the child is hesitant, withhold food. Withhold affection. Our ancestors survived repeated attempts at annihilation; their descendants will survive being made to write thank-you notes.

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Celebrate Winter Fruit: Quick Tu B'Shevat Decorating Ideas

If you already know that you've got a busy week ahead, and there won't be much time for decorating for Tu B'Shevat (the Jewish New Year for the trees) here are a few simple tricks that you can do in just a few minutes. Stock up on colorful citrus fruit and some green apples, and in no time your home will look ready for this fun holiday!

1. Fill large jars or glass vases with fruit and water, simple yet beautiful.

2. Create a pyramid of fruit by simply attaching fruit to one another with toothpicks. In order to make this footed pot a suitable base, I placed an inverted stainless steel bowl into the pot to fill up the space.

3. Display colorful fruit and real greenery where ever possible — on open shelves, buffets etc.

4. Aren't you glad that you've started to read this blog? (I'm glad that you have! ) Now you too can enhance your family's enjoyment of this holiday without a huge investment of time. It's all about learning to think creatively!