Joy, Wonder, Laughter
Texts on Celebration
A joyful heart makes for good health; despondency dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)
Who is a pious fool? A person who sees a ripe fig and says ‘I will give it to the first person I meet.’ (Talmud Yerushalmi, Sotah 3:4, 19a)
Who is rich? One who is happy with their lot, as it says, “When you eat [from] the work of your hands, you will be happy, and it will be well with you” (Psalms 128:2). “You will be happy” in this world, and “it will be well with you” in the world to come. (Pirkei Avot 4:1)
Blessed are You, Adonai, who lights our lives
Questions to Consider:
- What brings you joy?
- What creative ways have you found to celebrate this year – and what aspects of that creativity might you carry forward into future years?
- Identify a metaphorical “ripe fig” from this past year – did you eat it or give it away? Why?
- What have you done with your own that has given you satisfaction?
Activities
Share the Love
Choose 3 people in your life (see if you can avoid the usual suspects) and send them a text or email celebrating their existence in your life or in this world.
Do Something Random
Check out one of these calendars and schedule a random celebration for yourself and/or your family sometime in the coming months – you wouldn’t want to miss National Squirrel Appreciation Day, or National Bicarbonate of Soda Day!
Family Activities
Make Chanukah Decorations for Your House
Wow your guests for Chanukah by making the house and table look festive. Have everyone in the house participate in the crafts and set yourselves up for a special Chanukah dinner.
Make a Banner
We will leave the choice of spelling up to you!
Napkin Fun
Learn to fold your napkins like dreidel
Fun in the Sun
Make Chanukah suncatchers!
