When Avital Kaszovitz prepared to be a Modern Orthodox shlicha (emissary) to the Jewish community in Kenya, she never imagined one of the first things she would do would be sending homemade challah and chicken soup to recovering COVID-19 patients.

“Hearing how appreciative they were, and feeling like I could share the taste of Shabbat with people that I hadn’t even met yet, was a really special experience for me,” said Kaszovitz, who recently began her service, along with her husband, Netanel, and their six-month-old daughter, Tzofia.

Avital, a Chicago native who graduated from Arie Crown Hebrew Day School, prepared for the family’s two-year posting through the Straus-Amiel Emissary Program at Ohr Torah Stone, a Modern Orthodox institution in Israel. To date, the program–which is committed to strengthening Jewish life and identity in communities across the Diaspora–has trained 640 couples and helped them find placements in 37 different countries as Jewish teachers, rabbis and spiritual leaders.

Netanel attended a parallel program of rabbinical training and became ordained shortly before they left to help bolster the “small, diverse, and well-rooted” Jewish community in Nairobi.

Out of various placement opportunities around the world, the Kaszovitzes chose to go to Kenya out of a sense of adventure and “an opportunity to help fill a long-vacant role in a community that was in need of new leadership to help bring it back to life,” Avital said.

As the couple studied aspects of Judaism and cultures around the world, the most important thing they learned was “how to interact with people and be open-minded enough to be able to form connections with people that come from a wide variety of backgrounds,” she said.

Since Avital and Netanel married seven years ago, they have been excited to begin their international experience together.

“We’ve always had this innate desire to be able to help Jewish communities abroad, especially after growing up in the Diaspora and understanding the complexity of what it means to be a Jew in the Diaspora,” Avital said. “We realized the importance of strengthening our Jewish identities and wanted to be there for those that are seeking that connection to their Jewish heritage” – no matter where in the world they might be.

Due to the pandemic, their departure was delayed several times, and their initial meetings with Kenyan community members took place on Zoom–when enabled the Kaszovitzes to make “a slow but steady transition into a new country and culture.”

The couple is eager for the opportunity to be “able to go out of our comfort zone in order to help achieve a greater goal with the future of the Jewish nation in mind,” Avital said.

Now newly arrived in Kenya, the family is meeting people, getting settled in their new life, and determining how best to nurture the Jewish community.

“The community here has been so warm and welcoming,” Avital said. “We still have a long way to go, but we’re off to a great start!”

It has been an intense and painful time for Israel and those of us who love and support her. In the week prior to going to press, 3,600 rockets were launched at Israeli civilians–the most intensive barrage in Israel’s 73 years of independence–killing 12, injuring hundreds, and traumatizing millions.

In response, your Jewish United Fund sprang into action.

• JUF immediately advanced $1 million to the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to address humanitarian needs on the ground, including intensive assistance for the most vulnerable–traumatized children and families, people with disabilities, Holocaust survivors and new immigrants to Israel. We also allocated an additional $125,000 through the Jewish Federations of North America to replenish the Victims of Terror Fund and meet other intensive needs as they unfold.

• Our Hillel, Israel Education Center, and Teens departments are giving college, high school and middle school students support in advocating for Israel (and themselves).

• JUF’s JCRC and Government Affairs leadership is continually communicating with Members of Congress and their staffs and is reaching out to every member of the Illinois delegation.

• We have hosted a series of informational briefings for Jewish community leaders and for Christian leaders, featuring updates from Ofer Bavly, Director General of JUF’s Israel Office.

We are proud of our Chicago Jewish community’s deep commitment to Israel and appreciate that many want to do more to demonstrate their support for Israel at this crucial time. Here are some steps to take your support for Israel to the next level:

1. Stay informed. Developments on the ground and the narratives around them constantly evolve. An excellent resource is: israelactionnetwork.org/current-events .

2. Become an ambassador for Israel to friends, neighbors and colleagues. JUF experts are happy to update and educate gatherings of family, friends, synagogues, professional and civic groups. Contact [email protected].

3. Share your support with elected officials. Politicians expect JUF to communicate with them; they most value hearing from regular voters, whether you are a constituent or not.

4. Send a message of solidarity to Israelis in our Partnership2Gether Region of Kiryat Gat, Lachish and Shafir who are living within Hamas rocket range. Send an email to: [email protected] .

5. Give to the JUF Annual Campaign , which provides multi-faceted support to Israel in times of crisis and every day. If you haven’t yet made your gift to the 2021 JUF Annual Campaign, now is the time–and if you have contributed, please consider an additional gift–taking advantage of a dollar-for-dollar match available now for every new gift and every increase in giving.

This is JUF’s reason for being–to respond to daily needs and in extraordinary times of crisis–and it is your support that makes everything we do possible.

We all pray for the safety of all Israeli citizens and for the perseverance of Israel.

Which of these applies to you?

• You gave an ugly tie on Father’s Day.

• You sent flowers on Mother’s Day.

• You mailed a commercially prepared card on either Mother’s or Father’s Day.

I imagine that most of us checked “yes” to at least one of these questions. After all, who could be against a day to celebrate mothers and fathers? Certainly not retailers. This past year, Americans spent $37 billion to say “thank you” to all the mothers and fathers. That is an awful lot of ties, flowers, candy, and dinners to demonstrate your love for a parent.

We can thank Anna Jarvis for beginning a campaign for this country to set aside a day to pay tribute to our mothers after holding a memorial service for her own mother at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in 1908. In less than a decade, President Woodrow Wilson assigned the second Sunday in May as a national holiday honoring mothers.

After hearing about Anna’s idea, Sonora Smart Todd decided to devote a day for father’s as well. Sadly, her suggestion was a little slow to catch on. Even with the help of New York Associated Men’s Wear Retailers who had an obvious financial interest in seeing the day make it to the American calendar it took until 1972 for President Richard Nixon to sign the day into law.

While I am all for celebrating our nations’ mothers and fathers on the dates contained in the American calendar, we would do well to acknowledge the distinctive approach that the Jewish tradition brings to this idea. We are all aware that honoring our parents is of such importance that it is placed in the Ten Commandments.

But have you ever considered the words that the Torah uses in this regard? It does not say: “celebrate your father and your mother,” nor are we commanded to “love our mother and father,” but rather the Torah commands us to kabed, to honor them.

Here, one might well ask: if the Torah can command us to love the stranger as well as God, why not command the same of us for those who brought us into the world? To this, some have argued that the love that a child feels for a parent is instinctual and thus does not need to be commanded. But as we are all aware, when it comes to our emotions, well, it’s complicated.

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik was one of the great rabbis of the 20th century. On the subject of the Torah’s use of “honor” instead of “love,” the Rav observed that the halachah (Jewish law) makes no attempt to regulate the emotional side of the parent-child relationship. As a result, our actions can be commanded, but not our emotions. From this perspective, the Torah gives children permission to distance themselves from their mothers and fathers when such a need exists.

But as the command to honor a parent reminds us, the relationship may not be severed. The well-being of our children is the responsibility of the parent, and as we age the opposite is true. This idea is especially important in a world where it has become increasingly common for people to gather on holidays with their “chosen family” and not with their biological relations.

Let us enjoy the cake or the flowers, the cards, and ties on Mother’s and Father’s Day. But as Jews let us remember that the command to honor our fathers and mothers cannot be reduced to a day on the calendar. This year let us pause and consider what it means for us to truly honor our parents.

Rabbi Michael S. Siegel is Senior Rabbi and The Norman Asher Rabbinic Chair of Anshe Emet Synagogue.

Summer is here-now is the time to get grilling. And I have the perfect answer to what to grill: Grilled Caesar-pizza!

This mashup has everything for everyone. Light and crisp lettuce. Creamy, tangy dressing, cheesy deliciousness, and grilled bread! Grilled lettuce is a perfect way to shake up everyone’s summer favorite Caesar salad. Grilled lettuce is smoky with a cool and crispy interior and a slightly caramelized exterior. Instead of croutons, pile the lettuce, lightly dressed with homemade Caesar dressing, on crispy grilled pizza crust with shaved parmesan, Serve with this simple sweet and syrupy balsamic.

5 heads romaine hearts, cut in half lengthwise
2 heads radicchio, cut in half, top to stem end (Optional: I just love how caramelized grilled-radicchio tastes!)
Extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper

1. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium.
2. Brush lettuce with olive oil on all sides. Season with salt and pepper. Place cut side of lettuce halves on grill. Cook until lightly charred (about 3-5 minutes). Turn lettuce and grill on the other side for just 1 minute.
3. Transfer lettuce to a cutting board and coarsely chop lettuce. Toss lightly with dressing and set aside.

Balsamic Glaze

2 cups balsamic vinegar
¼ cup chopped dates

1. Simmer vinegar and dates until mixture has reduced to ½ cup. I leave the dates in the syrup as they add a lovely flavor.

Homemade Caesar Dressing

1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons Dijon style mustard
3 anchovy filets (do not eliminate this! The flavor is a must), finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, grated
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon sea salt
Pinch of freshly cracked black pepper
½ cup avocado oil or your favorite neutral oil
2 teaspoons water
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese & additional cheese for garnish

1. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolk, mustard, anchovy, garlic and lemon juice. Add salt and pepper. Drizzle oil, drop by drop, while whisking, until the mixture begins to hold together. I like to nestle my bowl in a dish towel to hold it still while I whisk. Once the mixture begins to thicken, you can boldly add oil in a steady stream. Whisk in water to loosen up the texture if it too creamy to drizzle.
2. Add cheese if using and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper.
3. Dollop dressing over grilled lettuces and top with shaved parmesan cheese if using.

Pizza

Grilling pizza is easy and fun. If you can make dough and you can grill food, you can grill pizza. This sturdy dough is easy to handle and perfect for rolling it out and transferring it to a hot grill without tearing or splitting.

1 2/3 cups water
2 teaspoons yeast
4 ½-5 cups of flour
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons sea salt

1. Mix water, yeast, and 1 cup of flour in a bowl and allow the mixture to create a sponge (about 30 minutes).
2. Add olive oil, salt, and flour, ½ cup at a time until a shaggy dough is formed. Either by hand or using a dough hook, knead dough until smooth and not sticky; you may not need all the flour depending upon humidity.
3. Over dough and allow to rest for 1 hour, or cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. Divide dough into 8 sections. Preheat grill to HIGH. Brush grates with olive oil.
5. Stretch a ball of dough with your hands to form a round. Use the back of your hands to stretch the dough (this is a great project for kids) into an 8-inch round pizza crust (it doesn’t have to be perfectly round).
6. Place dough on grill and allow it to cook for about 3 minutes until charred and no longer sticky. Flip pizza over and cook the other side for about 3 minutes.
7. Transfer crust to a work-surface and top with grilled lettuce, Caesar dressing, and cheese. Return pizza to grill and continue cooking until cheese has melted, about 3-5 minutes.
8. Cut pizza into wedges and drizzle with balsamic. Serve with additional cheese.

Dessert Pizza

Leftover crust? As if! Smear crust with chocolate spread or favorite jam. Top with chocolate, marshmallows, sliced fruit, and sprinkles and return to grill for a few minutes until melty and delicious.

Laura Frankel is a noted kosher chef, a cookbook author, and Culinary Director for a media company. Currently, she serves as Director of Catering at Circle of Life catering at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El.       

A trip to the dog park can be fun for both you and your furry friend, but not every dog is suited for it. Some pups may become anxious in public and would prefer to play in their own yard. Before deciding to go to a dog park, think about your pet’s personality and whether this venue is the best fit for them.

“The most important thing before visiting a dog park is to make sure that your pup is up to date on all of its vaccines and anti-parasite preventative medicines, said Mark Primiano, DVM, staff veterinarian at The Anti-Cruelty Society, the oldest animal welfare organization in Chicago. “Parks can be a very easy place for your beloved pet to catch something contagious like parvovirus, kennel cough, fleas, or lice.”

Besides safeguarding their health, make sure your dog is obedient and listens to your commands. The park can be overstimulating, and they can be easily distracted. For their safety, it’s important that your dog responds to commands, including come, drop it, and leave it. Puppies under six months are too young to go to the dog park because younger dogs may not have received a complete series of vaccines and are more susceptible to illness, as well as becoming overstimulated in a new place with many other dogs.

The first few times you visit, go during a quiet time without any other dogs present. Make sure your dog feels comfortable in the area and work on solidifying their cues in a new environment. Once your pup reliably responds to commands at the dog park when alone, you can start going when a few other dogs are playing.

Bring water and a bowl to keep your dog hydrated during and after play, and waste bags to clean up after them. Do not bring toys or treats. Even if your dog shares well with others, not every dog may be as generous. If you want to find a buddy or play group for your dog to join, pick one with dogs who are similar in age, breed, size, and play style. However, keep an eye on your dog and their body language to make sure they are safe at the park.

“You and your dog can be doing everything right and be on their best behavior, but that doesn’t guarantee that someone else’s dog won’t lash out and potentially harm your pet,” Primiano said. “Make sure to pay attention the entire time and don’t get lost scrolling on your phone or being too distracted in conversation. The best way to avoid a dog fight is to pay attention to warning signs and stop it before it starts. If your dog is playing too roughly, safely interrupt the play and take your dog someplace quieter to calm down.”

Visiting dog parks is not a good way to begin socializing your dog. Instead, bring your dog to a more controlled setting such as a training class. Unless there is a separate small-dog area, dogs under 30 pounds should be left at home. Smaller dogs may have a harder time playing with bigger dogs and may even get hurt.

Find a dog park near your home by visiting anticruelty.org/dog-parks.

The Anti-Cruelty Society offers a variety of programs and services to build a community of caring by helping pets and educating people, including free resources such as a behavior hotline at [email protected] or a comprehensive Pet Care Library at anticruelty.org/library. To learn more, visit anticruelty.org.

Lindsay Welbers is Team Builder for The Anti-Cruelty Society.

Jeni Britton Bauer, the founder and current Chief Creative Officer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, is an innovator in frozen treats. Eighteen years ago, she put her plans aside to found Jeni’s and spread the joy of artisan ice cream to 12 states-including Illinois. We caught up with Jeni about the past, present, and future of ice cream:

Q: What inspired you to work with ice cream?

A: While I was studying at Ohio State University, I started collecting scents and essential oils and blending my own perfumes at home. This then evolved into cooking with essential oils, then eventually using those oils in ice cream. Seeing ice cream as a carrier of scent completely opened up a new world to me. I realized that ice cream could be better and more interesting. I didn’t know how long it would take, how many tries or how much money, but I had a vision to change the standard for American ice cream. Six months later, I quit college and completely immersed myself in ice cream, tweaking and honing in on recipes.

What does your process look like for creating new ice cream flavors?

We pull inspiration from everywhere-art, pop culture, history, travel, nostalgia. When we develop new flavors, we consider the entire experience, from the way it looks, to the scents, and all the way through to the last bite. Then, we focus on great suppliers that can provide the high quality of ingredients we require in every Jeni’s flavor. It takes a community to build ice cream from the ground up.

Have any flavors gained or lost popularity as a result of the pandemic? Do you anticipate any will this summer?

People have been seeking comfort in many ways this year, and ice cream is no exception. All of our flavors grew in popularity this year-and we’ve especially noticed a huge demand for the classic comforts of our top-selling flavors, like Brambleberry Crisp and Brown Butter Almond Brittle (my personal favorite!).

What is the most fun part of innovating in the world of ice cream?

Every day I’m surrounded by an ice cream-making crew of artists, writers, photographers, bakers, big-brain mathletes, travelers with omnivorous cultural appetites, seekers, and other world-class experience gatherers.

Making ice cream at home

Making ice cream with your family is a fun way to stay cool over the summer! Keep these tips from Jeni in mind as you begin:

• As far as essential tools, I like the Cuisinart ICE-21 model. It’s inexpensive and if you use my recipe, you’ll get great results each time.
• What you start with is what you end with. Find ingredients you love and make them into ice cream.
• Always keep your ice cream base very warm or very cold. I suggest cooling it down in an ice bath to go quickly and prevent any bacterial growth.
• Making ice cream at home is so fun, and I can’t even think of anything that regularly goes wrong. I think everyone should jump right in!
  
  Sundae Board Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to spice up your ice cream experience, try one of Jeni’s favorites-a Sundae Board! “It’s like a [cheese] board, but you swap the brie and gouda for ice cream, sub cookies for crackers, keep the nuts and jam, and maybe throw in some hot fudge or caramel sauce,” she said. “It’s a completely customizable, no-bake, use-whatever-you’ve-got-on-hand situation.”

If you want a great place to start, here’s what’s on this sundae brunch board:

Ice creams: Lemon & Blueberries Parfait, refreshing Frosé sorbet, and my seasonal favorite, Strawberry Buttermilk (our Raspberry Rose Jelly Donut would work very well here, too)

Sauces: Extra-bitter hot fudge sauce (recipe below), strawberry sauce (from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home), wildflower honey

Toppings: Fresh fruit, mini pancakes, crepes, waffles, or mini cast-iron pancakes, nuts or granola, Jeni’s salty-sweet Donut Gravel (recipe below), fresh herbs like mint, and some loose whipped cream

Remember, these are just suggestions! The whole board can truly be assembled with whatever you’ve got in your pantry, fridge, or freezer. But if you’re looking for a few simple cooking projects that’ll work great for this board, here are a few of Jeni’s go-tos:

Donut Gravel

Makes 2 cups

A crunchy condiment to complement ice cream, inspired by potato donuts. Potato chips add that potato flavor, as well as subtle fried flavor that mimics those fluffy potato donuts perfectly.

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1¼ cups powdered sugar

2 ounces crushed potato chips (from about 2 cups whole chips)

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Pinch of ground cinnamon

4 teaspoons nonfat dried milk

6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, melted

¼ teaspoon mixed sprinkles

Preheat the oven to 225°F.

1. Combine the flour, cornstarch, 1 cup of the powdered sugar, crushed chips, salt, cinnamon, and dried milk in a small bowl. Add the melted butter and stir until large lumps have formed and all of the dry ingredients are moistened (the mixture should resemble a wet, mealy dough). Toss with the sprinkles, then pour onto a baking sheet and spread evenly.
2. Bake the crumbs for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and toss the crumbs with two bench scrapers or metal spatulas, then chop into ⅛- to ¼-inch pieces.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 more minutes, or until lightly golden. Let the gravel cool, then toss with the remaining ¼ cup powdered sugar.

Jeni’s Like-Magic Hot Fudge Sauce

½ cup Dutch-process cocoa

½ cup sugar

½ cup finely chopped chocolate (70% cacao)

¼ cup boiling water

Dutch-process cocoa (otherwise it won’t dissolve), sugar, and finely chopped chocolate (70% cacao) in a bowl. Add boiling water, let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until combined.

Over the last year, staying healthy, balanced, and sane has been a challenge. We asked members of the Chicago-area Jewish community to share what has worked for them. Here’s what they said…

I’ve gotten super into running. It’s deeply meditative. I’m averaging 25 miles per week, which for me is a lot! -Jane Charney, Chicago

I have been journaling every day for the past year and it is truly grounding. If I can’t sleep, I’ll get up and write and it helps put perspective and a sense of release on things. – Lisa Hoffman, Deerfield

Weekly Zoom chats with family. Lots of walks first outside, then in a shopping mall, now in an Olympic sized pool. – Bob Bloom, Highland Park

I became a certified life coach! Living my passion definitely helped me cope. – Stephanie Pritzker Sanderman, Highland Park

Gardening! We’ve been growing our own organic veggies. And the garden work is a great distraction-and some legit exercise. – L isa Kudish Rosenburg, former Chicagoan in Hollywood, FL

Had daily texts with my two besties for health and wellness support and focus. – Janice Wahnon, Chicago

I got a puppy- a jolly looking one! – Leslie Millenson, Chicago

Playing mahjong online. – Laura Berendson, Arlington Heights

I have been coping with stress by indulging in hobbies that are self-gratifying and relaxing. This year I have sharpened my skills for crocheting intricate blankets (pictured), baking chocolate desserts, and cooking new dishes. I have also dabbled in reading novels and going on scenic walks throughout the city. – Hayley Levitan, Chicago

I’ve been making lots and lots of art! – Tamara Koransky, Oak Park

We walk the forest preserve- and I’ve been cooking like I’m on Top Chef – and living in my bathtub. – Jeremy Owens, Chicago

I started taking a virtual breath-and-flow yoga class. And have been doing almost daily virtual workouts through my company health club. A good 30-minute HIIT class in my living room can still help take my stress level way down. – Janet Cohen, Chicago  

We got a dog! – Alyssa Just Latala, Buffalo Grove

7:30 a.m. lakeside walk every single day. On bad weather days, I go a little (read that as ‘a lot’) batty. – Hillery Chakos, Chicago

JUF’s Young Leadership Division and Oy!Chicago are once again looking for young adult Jewish movers and shakers to recognize on the 10 ^th annual “Double Chai in the Chi: Chicago’s Jewish 36 Under 36 List.”

Since 2012, the 36 Under 36 initiative has been shining a spotlight on the faces of Chicago’s Jewish future to acknowledge and celebrate the amazing contributions of the emerging generation. Honorees make a difference through their work, give back in their free time, innovate, and stand up as leaders in their communities. This year, we also hope to acknowledge those who are going above and beyond to create a social impact during this crucial time — those working to build a more just society, ensuring the health and wellness of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, and creating community in innovative ways.

Got someone in mind? Fill out the nomination form at www.oychicago.com/nominate before Friday, May 21 at 5 p.m. An email will be sent confirming your nomination. Honorees will be announced and profiled on Oy!Chicago on July 14.

Much gratitude to the Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation for supporting 36 Under 36, and for its dedication to the present and future preservation of the Jewish people.

Diane von Furstenberg, fashion designer, philanthropist, and author, will energize women to follow their ambitions at this year’s Spring Event.

“This year’s Spring Event will be particularly meaningful in light of last year’s cancellation due to COVID,” said Women’s Board Spring Event Chair Janna Berk. “The JUF Women’s Division recognizes the opportunity this event represents for a collective lifting of the spirit, and we are truly excited to be planning an inspiring program celebrating women, women’s empowerment, and the hope of tomorrow.”

The hope this event inspires will be bolstered by the generous donations of Women’s Division members. Last year, donors to the Women’s Division of JUF gave over $14 million to the JUF Annual Campaign, which helps Jews and others in Chicago, Israel, and beyond.

The highlight of the event will be Diane von Furstenberg, who has received many honors — including being named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2015, receiving the CFDA Swarovski Award for Positive Change in 2016, and getting inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019 — for her achievements. This includes creating her iconic wrap dress in 1974, which became a symbol of power and independence for women. She is also the author of Diane: A Signature Life and The Woman I Wanted to Be and her recent release, Own It: The Secret to Life .

“Diane von Furstenberg is a recognized fashion-industry icon whose fundamental desire to be a ‘woman in charge’ helped shape the course of her life’s journey,” said Women’s City Council Spring Event Chair Lori Hess. “Attendees can look forward to hearing the story of a multi-faceted Jewish woman with an unwavering commitment to women’s causes, and an ever-optimistic outlook about what is possible.”

Women’s Division Spring event is a program benefitting the 2021 JUF Annual Campaign. All women in the community who make an individual gift of $365 or more to the Annual Campaign are invited to attend. Stay tuned for registration information.

When Ron Lieber’s older daughter was four years old, she asked him a question: “Why don’t we have a summer house?”

As Lieber pondered the answer, he realized that she was in fact asking a much deeper question: Why were her parents making the financial choices they made?

Lieber–who grew up in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago and was a JUF Lewis Summer Intern–saw many nuances to the question: The professions he and his wife chose, the neighborhood of their home, and where and why they spent money in other places instead of a second home. “Those questions are about values as much as they are about personal finance,” he said, and he wanted to ensure he was giving her the best answer.

In addition to his background as a former Wall Street Journal reporter focused on efficient and fulfilling consumer lives, he consulted with many parents and gathered the questions children were asking. He started a blog on The New York Times website to address these, question by question, to engage children in financial discussions.

At JUF’s upcoming Raising Generous Children event, Lieber will discuss these issues as well as how to include children in financial decisions, encourage them to save money, and tie their financial decisions back to Jewish values with charitable donations. By using tangible examples, he will untangle the complexities of these topics and make them accessible to parents and grandparents of children through age 18.

As part of the event, he will review important concepts from his book, The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money . “One of the best ways to help kids understand these things is to give them a lot of practice with money and their own financial decision-making,” Lieber said. This includes walking them through basic decisions on financial tradeoffs and cultivating the patience to save for a longer time.

One of the most crucial topics to Lieber is which charitable contributions are most important for the child and the family. Rather than “giving,” he uses “helping” to describe the way tzedakah money can improve others’ lives. “Every family has some instance of having been helped,” he said. “If you tell your kids those stories, they will adopt them as their own and adapt them as they see fit, and it’s the best way to inspire them and be generous.” As part of the event, JUF will share opportunities to help those in need.

“It’s not just about financial literacy. It’s about a lot more–what our families stand for and how we make decisions. That, for me, feels distinctly Jewish,” Lieber said.

His book also tackles the topics of allowance, restrictions on kids’ spending, materialism, and the importance of talking to children about money in the first place, while honoring their questions like he did with his daughter years ago.

“Don’t be scared of the topic of money!” he urged. “Money does make the world go ’round and if you try to shield kids from it, they’ll fill the void with whatever they hear at school or look it up on the Internet. There is a direct connection between talking about money and teaching kids values, so who better than you to guide them?”

The Raising Generous Children event will take place virtually on Tues., May 11 at 8 p.m. The cost is $18. The event is geared for parents and grandparents of children through high school. To learn more or to register, visit juf.org/RGC .