Some families came to JEWISHcolorado’s Community-Wide Havdalah because they remembered last year’s event. Some came because they were curious about Havdalah.
Some came because they craved community and respite from horrific world events. On March 4, they filled the Butterfly Pavilion to capacity for a fun, interactive, multi-sensory celebration.
“Havdalah means ‘separation,’ the closing ritual that marks the end of Shabbat when three stars appear in the sky, separating the holiness of Shabbat from the new week,” said Cindy Coons, Director of Family Engagement & Jewish Explorers. “Our Community Havdalah gives families a chance to experience how this beautiful, multi-sensory ceremony is so very kid and family-friendly and how each family can celebrate Havdalah and make it their own as they create these experiences at home.”
Children started by filling small bags with sweet-smelling spices.
They decorated Kiddush cups with (of course) butterflies.
Children of all ages were delighted by the “Havdalah candle” glow wands.
“We like coming to Jewish events to experience different aspects of our Jewish identity,” said Rachel Mayron, mother of six-year-old twins Asher and Naomi. “I grew up doing Havdalah at events, and now we are repeating for a different generation.”
Children also had the opportunity to do a mitzvah project by decorating bags that will be used by Project Angel Heart to deliver food to people with serious medical issues. “With Havdalah, we are bringing what nourishes our souls during Shabbat into the new week,” Cindy said. “We also want to make sure we are nourishing the bodies and souls of people in need in our community.”
Kelsey and Lev Ginsburg brought their young daughter Lila. “We are interested in incorporating Havdalah into our home,” Kelsey said. “But we weren’t sure how to do it and how to make it interesting for a two-year-old.”
JEWISHcolorado Shlicha Nelly Ben Tal and her daughter Ella spoke the prayer for Israel.
PJ Library Manager Bethany Friedlander and Carly Coons on the guitar led blessings of gratitude over the grape juice in the Kiddush cup, the spices, and the lights. “Blessed are you, Adonai, Source of the Universe, Who divides Holy from Everyday,” Carly sang.
Finally, it was time to sing everyone a Shavua Tov, a new week of peace, compassion, and justice. Some little ones were inspired to start that new week with a dance.
After the Havdalah ceremony, families made their way throughout the Butterfly Pavilion where 18 JEWISHcolorado community partners had created kid-friendly booths with activities designed to stimulate the five senses—hearing, seeing, smelling, touching, and tasting.
“This is truly a community-wide event,” said Cindy. “We have invited incredible community partners to join us so that we can highlight who they are and what do. Our hope is that families can experience the breadth and depth and vibrancy of our Jewish community.”
There were coffee filter butterflies, butterfly wing decorations, insects crawling in Play-Doh, pipe cleaner gardens for butterflies, a veritable cornucopia of sensory stimuli for children.
And of course, there were the real butterflies. Grandfather David Gottlieb watched as the group, including his 20-month-old grandson, enjoyed the butterfly release. “Judaism is sensitive and alert to the rhythms of nature, and so are children,” he said. “One of the things we like about the Denver Jewish community is that it’s diverse and imaginative. We like introducing our grandson to Judaism in all its varieties.”
There were three generations of the Morris family at the JEWISHcolorado Havdalah, including Grandma Amy and her daughter Sarah. “Right now, as a family, we are really craving Jewish community,” said Sarah. “This is a safe space where we can raise proud Jewish kids.”
“It’s part of our culture to practice the traditions of our ancestors and keep them alive,” added Amy. “I want to be part of that process of teaching my grandchildren.”
“Our hope is that families will join us for the sweetness and joy of celebrating Havdalah together,” said Cindy. “By being with community, we hope they will feel the strength of being intertwined and connected to other families and our JEWISHcolorado community partners, all who add and increase light in and elevate our whole community.”