I am fortunate to be part of newly established department, Community Outreach and Engagement which is tasked with addressing the needs of underserved populations in the Chicago Jewish community. At our last lay committee meeting our opening ice breaker was to define how did we get to where we are in our Jewish life – the overwhelming response was family influence. So I want you to think of your Jewish journey. Who provided the greatest influence and inspiration?   And now consider the latest salvo fired on the American Jewish community from the Pew Research Center. We are all aware of Changing nature of Jewish Identity Increased rates of intermarriage Decreased religious and synagogue affiliations Interfaith families not raising Jewish children Or children being raised without religion Families look different from a generation ago and we need to address this in pro-active and positive manner

Gratitude, Inspiration, Family, Tzedakah and Service And thus we developed GIFTS – Gratitude, Inspiration, Family, Tzedakah and Service, is a new program that provides the tools and inspiration for Jewish grandparents to connect with their grandchildren and pass on their Jewish values

Timeless Jewish values that each generation is obligated to pass along to the next.

Community Partners With this background, the Jewish Federation partnered with Grandparents for Social Action and Interfaith Family/Chicago to address these factors. We were fortunate to receive an Ignition Grant from the Covenant Foundation for our initial planning process. local focus groups with clergy, grandparents, and educators found that grandparents want to connect with grandchildren around their Jewish values. They see their grandchildren less engaged in and less attached to the Jewish community. Declining rates of affiliation and high rates of intermarriage, parents do not always have the knowledge, skills, comfort or inclination to pass along their own Jewish values. Older congregants were becoming less engaged in synagogue life the GIFTS program is a true community partnership – bringing together three diverse organizations with a common purpose. And since this program is intended to be implemented by local synagogues, JCCs and Day schools – it serves as a powerful value added to these institutions

GIFTS Core Elements A series of 5 seminars taught by congregational educators and clergy Passing on our Jewish Values Bringing to Life the Concepts of Tzedakah, Gimilut Chasidim and Tikkun Olam Communicating with Your Grandchildren Using Holidays and Milestones to Involve Grandchildren Changing the Narrative: Modeling the Life You Want to Live Curriculum was designed to be flexible in order to meet the different needs of each synagogue as well as differing family constellations Passing On Our Values, Defining Our Legacy, Telling Our Stories. Grandparents will reflect on their own values and articulate their legacy using quotes from our religious tradition. Bringing to Life the Concepts of Tzedakah , Gimilut Chasidim and Tikkun Olam . Grandparents will discuss Jewish Values those which exemplify their core beliefs. Participants will explore ways for their grandchildren to become philanthropists (giving money, serving the community and/or giving voice to the issues which are important to them.)  Communicating with Your Grandchildren. Grandparents will investigate techniques and tools to enhance communication between grandparents, children and grandchildren. Using Holidays and Milestones to Involve Grandchildren in Philanthropy and Social Justice. Grandparents will gain familiarity with themes for each holiday as well as social action opportunities that may accompany each holiday, gain exposure to blessings which can make the ordinary holy, and create their own “grids” of philanthropy or tikkun olam-related opportunities for any occasion. Changing the Narrative: Modeling the Life you Want to Live and the Values you Wish to Share with your Family. Meaningful discussions and text study will encourage grandparents to give voice to their hopes and concerns around sharing important milestones with their children and grandchildren. 

Additional Program Elements Website Symposiums Intergenerational volunteer opportunities The website provides local and national resources focused primarily for grandparents. This includes inspirational videos and social action opportunities. Using community partners, a symposium addressing concerns and providing practical advise and tools will be held in the spring. The symposium will be targeted to non-affiliated grandparents Developing intergenerational volunteer opportunities to reinforce lessons being taught at sessions

Gratitude, Inspiration, Family, Tzedakah and Service GIFTS program is designed to build bridges: Between congregations and their congregants Among grandparents participating in the classes Between grandparents and their grandchildren