By the time you read this you might be:
- Elbow deep in Elmer’s Glue, putting the last touches on your child’s classroom Valentines box,
- Recovering from the classroom party,
- Planning a romantic night out, or
- Treating the day like any other on the calendar.
To be a Jewish American is to juggle two traditions, and I’m here to voice my completely unqualified opinion that no one is remiss to do any of the ones above. After all, Valentine’s Day lost religious status in 1969, when the Catholic Church gave up the holiday: history doesn’t really corroborate the saint’s connection to romantic love.
Thus, Valentine’s Day, celebrated on Feb. 14, is considered a secular holiday with excellent sales on chocolate. No harm done, then, in taking an extra moment to celebrate those you love (not in this Jew’s opinion, anyway).
Only good things can come, then, in adding a little Yiddishkeit to your Valentine’s Day revelry. Here are a few ideas to do just that:
- PJ Library certainly has its share of books that explore love of family and friends. Check out these titles to start a conversation about how we show people we care:
- “A Hat for Mrs. Goldman” by Michelle Edwards
- “Yaffa and Fatima: Shalom, Salaam” by Fawzia Gilani-Williams
- “A Kiss on the Keppie” by Leslea Newman
- “The Lion and the Bird” by Marianne Dubuc
- Sit down to enjoy PJ Library’s “Someone for Mr. Sussman” by Patricia Polacco. In this charming lower-grade picture book, Jerome helps his own bubbe find companionship. Even the neighborhood’s best matchmaker deserves love!
- Make Sweet Toots! Tutim (Hebrew for strawberries) dipped in chocolate are a popular American Valentine’s Day treat. Deliver hand-dipped “Sweet toots for your sweet tooth!” to Hebrew teachers, rabbis, neighbors and friends.
- Paper cutting is a long-held Jewish tradition and the perfect way to craft your own homemade valentines. A quick Google search will yield countless images of beautiful and historic ketubot (marriage contracts) that employ the art. Younger kids can make hearts with a simple folded sheet of paper and some scissors, while older kids and teens might love the thrill of wielding an X-acto knife to create something elaborate and unique.
- Adults can give tzedakah to a charity related to supporting safe, healthy and productive loving relationships. Consider Priya, a program of Jewish Family Services, which provides financial and emotional support to all Jewish families facing fertility and family building challenges. Another is the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence in the Jewish Community, an organization of Jewish Women International.
- Deliver cookies to your neighbors with kid-made cards about literally “loving your neighbor as you love yourself!” (Leviticus 19:18).
- Kids love to see their names written in Hebrew – it’s like a secret code! Do a little crafting of your own and put hearts on their bedroom doors that have their English or Hebrew names written out in Hebrew letters. Don’t forget glitter!
- Make your own Jewish conversation hearts with some punny Valentine’s messages: “Love you Lox!” “I sure love JEW” “Chaim Yours!” “Hugs & Knishes” “Challah at me!” and, my favorite, “You’re a KIPPAH!”
- Mesh this secular holiday with an upcoming Jewish favorite: Hamantashen! An extra pinch in the right place makes these triangular treats look like hearts.
- Snuggle up with some cocoa and your little one to read PJ Library’s “The Chocolate King” by Laura Catalaan. In this sweet story of family love and tradition, a Jewish boy passes on his grandfather’s tradition of bringing hot chocolate to the masses.
However you celebrate – or don’t – Feb. 14 is as good a day as any to model healthy and open affection for those who hold your heart. Now get out there and buy that discounted chocolate!
