Posted by Rachael:

Shavuot is just a few hours away and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m not exactly looking forward to the spirituality of it or the meaningfulness of the Jewish people accepting the Torah (though we know how beautiful and meaningful that part is) but at this moment in time, I’m really looking forward to spending good time with family and friends. It’s been a tough few weeks in my house. The kids at school have just gone through the ‘crunch’ time with their classes – 1500 things assigned and all due today by 2 pm. It’s been weeks of anxiety, sweat, all nighters and meltdowns. On more than one occasion I laid down on the couch with one or another of my children lying in my arms crying…as I said, I’m really looking forward to Shavuot.

Aside from the rest and recovery, there’s a game I’m planning to play with the family that should allow for some good Jewish speculation as well as some wholesome venting. It’s called: ‘Why do you think God -’ and you play it by having to finish that sentence. There are no limits applied to the context or idea used to finish the sentence and everyone around is welcome to offer an explanation to your question.

But even playing this game, a small part of me wonders if in the wee wee hours of the night on Shavuot, I won’t wondering if God is sitting in the Divine Realms with the angels all around playing the game: ‘Why do you think people -’

Have a great Shavuot!

While the term Shepping Nachas is typically reserved for the 55+ crowd, I shepped.  Yesterday was my very best friends’ daughter’s Chanukah concert at daycare. Her first public performance, the actions to which she boldly practiced at home, in restaurants and in class.  The children were dressed in colourful smocks and dreidel crowns but remained lined up ‘backstage’.  Camcorders, iPhones and digital cameras were ready! As the children entered (my ‘niece’ leading the way to the carpet), marching to the beat of a Chanukah classic, they were stunned. All stunned.  There were far too many adults in the room, clapping and bopping for the toddlers to be comfortable. Over the sobs, whines and screeches, the classroom teachers and audience members contributed to the freilach feeling of celebration. All this little girl wanted was her mommy.

It was really remarkable to look around the room and watch people spanning in age from 18 months to experienced grandparents, Jews from Russia, Israel, Winnipeg and Toronto, all celebrating as a community.  The parents and teachers who instill this value and meaning into the lives of these little ones are really the individuals I’m shepping nachas from.

Below are a few of the highlights:

Leading the way...

Front and Centre!

Teacher's Pet

Check out a couple of the great videos that are found online in the spirit of Chanukah: