Over three warm and engaging Thursday mornings this summer, the Simon Family JCC became a hub of reflection and connection for parents. Led by Rabbi Aryeh Kravetz, the “Bagels & Balance” series invited participants to explore the art of positive parents, focusing on self-reflection, long term goals, and relationship building.
At the heart of the series was the question: How do we develop strong, healthy, and enduring relationships with our children? Rabbi Kravetz encouraged participants to consider parenting as a lifelong learning journey, one that deserves the same commitment to growth and education as any professional pursuit.
Topics ranged from creative approaches to discipline to reframing the parent-child relationship considering Jewish values. The sessions emphasized the importance of modeling behavior, cultivating empathy, and embracing the challenges of parenting with grace.
The course also sparked broader conversations about how Jewish learning can support families. In related committee meetings, ideas emerged for future programming, including a future series focused specifically on raising children through a Jewish lens.
To learn more about upcoming courses offered through the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, visit JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@ujft.org.