Generations come together at picnic

More than 65 children, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents enjoyed a Sept. 23 multigenerational Shabbat Picnic in the Park in Baldwin Park sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's PJ Library/Shalom Families program.

All the families who attended received a basket with all the Shabbat essentials (candles, "wine" and challah). There was a family craft in each basket so families could make new honey pots for Rosh Hashanah. The event featured other Rosh Hashanah-themed crafts as well, including two types of apple necklaces (one for little kids and one for big kids) and decorated honeybee headbands. The children heard a special Rosh Hashanah story, and then embarked on an "apple scavenger hunt."

Finally, families were treated to an appearance by Cantor Nina Fine and Mitzvah Monkey, who led the picnickers in Shabbat blessings and talked about the New Year.

Federation's next PJ Library/Shalom Families event, the Second Annual Build-A-Bear Family Mitzvah Day, is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 20. Families will create stuffed animals at Build-A-Bear in Altamonte Springs to give to children at Nemours Children's Hospital. For more information on Family Mitzvah Day, visit http://www.jfgo.org.