Shepping Nachas

There are so many words and phrases in Yiddish that defy English translations! “Mensch” can be defined as a really, good, caring, humane person, but even with all those adjectives, the true meaning of mensch is still somehow lacking. Chutzpah is defined as unmitigated gall, but it means so much more than that. Then there is kvell, which is defined as swoon with happiness, but again, there is so much more to kvelling! And I could add others that are unique: nosh, gitta neshumah, klutz, balabusta, bubbelah. And the one I’d like to focus on here is “Shepping Nachas”. This phrase is translated as you are really, really, really proud of someone and what that person has accomplished. You might hear it as part of a speech given by parents at their child’s B/B Mitzvah, or at a graduation, or after an amazing music, or dance recital. Possibly you could hear it after a well played sports game.

Let me now tell you that shepping nachas is the reward of grandparenting!! And all those of you who are reading this as grandparents, I know, are in agreement. As much as we love and relished the accomplishments of our kids, there is something magical about the pride we feel when it is our grandchildren who are accomplishing! And even those of you who may not have biological children or grandchildren have spoken with such pride and love and support for the Solel grandkids who are just like your own. And you too shep nachas when they are on the bimah, chanting from Torah, acting in a skit, playing an instrument along side our Rabbi . And the UJA has encouraged our opportunity to “shep nachos”

We have received a Micro- Grant from the Koschitzsky Centre for Jewish Education to encourage engaging grandparents – A Bridge Between Generations. This grant will help us (and has already helped us) to present programs in which the kids, the parents, grandparents, the whole community can participate and learn together, and the grandparents can “shep nachas”

Our first program was our Family Shabbat dinner (with how to make Shabbat booklets available) Challah baking demonstration (and every table had a home baked challah) and Solel cookbooks for all attendees. The dinner was followed by a family service with our intergenerational band, and talented music leader (Ron Miller- my grandson) playing along side our wonderful Rabbi. Shepping nachas describes the evening to a tee! Next on Sun Feb 2, we have invited parents and grandparents to join us at school at 10 am as we have our brief tefillah with the students leading us in signing the Sh’ma. After tefillah, we all will learn together about Tu B’Shevat, about ecology, about our ties to Israel and we all will participate in a Tu B’ Shevat Seder led by our Israeli presenter, our friend, Yifat Bear Miller. Shepping nachas will be the watchwords again!

In the planning are at least 3 more events for families, parents, grandparents, all congregants to (along with the children) learn, lead, teach and show their pride in their Jewish identity. On Feb 8 at 10 AM, the Kitah Gimmel class will lead services with both parents and grandparents chanting Torah and Haftarah, and all sharing in a community potluck lunch. On Mar 28, after our community Shabbat dinner, the Alef/ Bet class will lead services, with our intergenerational band playing, and the students will share what they have learned from their parents and grandparents about how they got their Hebrew names. Our next 3 generational program is set for Apr 26 when the junior school will be leading services along side parents and grandparents chanting Torah. And after the potluck lunch, our own Ruth Ostrower will teach us all some Israeli dances.

Added to all these events, don’t forget our Purim carnival and shpiel on Thurs Mar 13 (dinner, games, brief service with an intergenerational cast performing another enjoyable Purim shpiel.) And there will also be a night of songs and music on Sun April 20 to end Pesach with a Chometz Kumsitz. So please add these dates to your calendars, come, enjoy, and shep nachas!

Filed under: Educator's Message

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