December Holiday Stress? Try Challah Days
December 5, 2025 | Jewish Traditions and Values, Tips and Resources
By Lisa Akchin, Multigenerational, Multifaith Family Connector for The Network.
The low point in my experience as the Jewish grandmother of Catholic grandchildren was a latke dinner where my son called me out for “Marketing Hanukkah.” It can be hard to show up as a Jewish grandparent when our children and their partners choose different paths – or no religious affiliation at all.
The December holidays are often especially fraught or triggering for families like mine. I’ve learned over the years to focus instead on the many other rich experiences the Jewish calendar offers to connect with my grandchildren.
Periodically, I show up for what we call “Challah Days,” an afternoon of hands-on learning that always starts with making challah for the next Shabbat and includes storytelling and crafts that teach something about an upcoming holiday or custom. For Shavuot, we tasted unusual fruits for the first time and built Mt. Sinai from couch pillows (shout out to the Jewish Grandparents Network for these ideas). During the High Holy Day season, we practiced the Shofar service using plastic noisemakers. We even constructed a 3-D diorama of the Tabernacle the Israelites carried through the wilderness.
These are sticky experiences, literally and figuratively. Getting covered in flour or glue or paint together is fun and, most important, memorable. Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum, a friend and mentor who has created a Rashi-inspired curriculum for grandparents and grandchildren, calls this “oatmeal learning,” because it sticks to the ribs.
My experience has shown me that it is not necessary to be deeply knowledgeable. There are many content resources to draw upon. I list a few of my favorites below. What matters most is simply showing up as a grandparent to do what you love with the people you love.
And if you would like company in this journey, The Macks Jewish Connection Network now offers opportunities for grandparents in multifaith families to connect with each other and create delightful and memorable holiday celebrations for their families. For more information, contact me at akchin.onpurpose@gmail.com
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