Program Guides

The Program Guides below provide ways to use Family Room experiences for intergenerational programs in synagogues, JCC’s, organizations, and education settings.

Each guide includes goals, materials, a learning sequence with timing, a facilitator script, links to resources on the JGN website, and a full intergenerational family program.

B-Mitzvah Family Text Discussion Cards

18 text-based activities — plus a leader’s guide — prompt B-Mitzvah teens and their families to relate thought-provoking texts from the Jewish tradition to their own lives.

An Educational Program Guide by DOROT and Diane Zimmerman

See all B-Mitzvah Resources

How to Create Your Own Program Guides

Use this template and road map to adapt experiences in the Family Room for programs in educational settings. For families with children of all ages

An Educational Program Guide by Lisa Friedman

See all Family Room experiences

How to Cultivate Jewish Mindfulness

Explore mindfulness practices and learn the value of k’vod atzmi — self-respect and kindness to ourselves. For families with children ages 7–12

An Educational Program Guide by Lisa Friedman

See one of the Family Room experiences for this guide

How to Make a Family Portrait with Hanoch Piven

Share stories with one another and with the community through a creative art experience. For families with children of all ages

An Educational Program Guide by Lisa Friedman

See the Family Room experience for this guide

How to Make Plantable Wildflower Seed Balls

Make seed balls and plant wild flowers while learning about being shomrei adamah — caring for the earth. For families with children of all ages

An Educational Program Guide by Lisa Friedman

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Puppeting Purim (and Other Holiday Stories)

Bring the story of Purim to life by creating and using puppet characters. For families with children ages 5–9

An Educational Program Guide by Dr. Penny Joel

See the Family Room experience for this guide

Sharing Life Stories

Experience deeper and more meaningful family conversations and cultivate stronger emotional family connections. For families with teens ages 12–15

An Educational Program Guide by Rabbi Mark H. Levine

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Stories from Our Closets

Tell family stories inspired by a personally meaningful and treasured object found in the closet. For families with children ages 10–13

An Educational Program Guide by Diane Zimmerman

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Taking Photos — Telling Stories

Use photographs to tell stories in this 3-session course ending with an intergenerational program. For families with children ages 10–14

An Educational Program Guide by Lisa Friedman

See the Family Room experience for this guide