PODCAST · religion
Connecting Jewish Grandparents
by Sharona Hassan - Grand Plan
Welcome to Connecting Jewish Grandparents, your guide to intentional Jewish grandparenting and building deep connections with your grandchildren. Each episode shares practical advice, inspiring stories, and timeless traditions to help you create a meaningful family legacy. Whether you’re a grandparent, parent, or part of the ”sandwich generation,” Connecting Jewish Grandparents offers tools to strengthen family bonds across generations.Topics include: grandparenting tips, Jewish family traditions, building strong relationships, intergenerational wisdom, parenting partnerships, family legacy, and meaningful connections with grandchildren.
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Carrying Inheritance l Matot - Masei
How do grandparents build a lasting legacy? In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Rabbanit Sharona Hassan explores Parashat Matot-Masei through the lens of inheritance, legacy, stewardship, and joyful, intentional connection. Discover how the Torah's teachings on vows, family inheritance, and the journeys through the wilderness offer timeless wisdom for Jewish grandparents seeking to pass on values, traditions, and faith to the next generation. This week's episode is available for sponsorship in honor or memory of a loved one, to celebrate a simcha, or to support Grand Plan's mission of strengthening Jewish families through grandparents. To sponsor a future episode or sign up for Grand Plan Weekly, featuring practical Torah insights and one joyful, intentional connection each week, visit GrandPlan.pro
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What Will Your Grandchildren Inherit? Pinchas
What will your grandchildren inherit from you? In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Rabbanit Sharona Hassan explores why Parashat Pinchas may be the Torah's most important portion for grandparents. Discover the many forms of legacy found in the parsha, from family values and traditions to leadership, faith, and belonging, and learn how to intentionally decide what you want to pass on to the next generation. If you're seeking Jewish grandparenting wisdom, meaningful family connections, and practical ideas for building a lasting legacy, this episode is for you. Episodes are available for sponsorship in honor or memory of a loved one, to celebrate a simcha, or to support Jewish grandparents around the world in creating joyful, intentional connections across generations. Enjoyed this episode? Sign up for Grand Plan Weekly, where each week's Torah portion is paired with three simple, actionable ideas to help you create more joyful, intentional connections with your grandchildren. grandplan.kit.com
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Helping Grandchildren with "Why?"
How do you answer a grandchild's endless questions of "Why?" And what happens when there simply isn't an answer? In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Rabbanit Sharona Hassan explores Parashat Chukat, the Torah's ultimate example of a chok - a commandment beyond human understanding. From the mystery of the Red Heifer to life's biggest questions about loss, illness, disappointment, and uncertainty, this episode offers practical wisdom for grandparents navigating difficult conversations with grandchildren. Discover how Jewish wisdom can help grandparents teach resilience, faith, and emotional strength, even when we don't have all the answers. Learn why one of the greatest gifts a grandparent can offer is not certainty, but the ability to live thoughtfully with unanswered questions. If you're looking for meaningful Jewish grandparenting insights, ways to strengthen family relationships, and tools for building a lasting legacy across generations, this episode is for you. To sponsor an episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents in honor or memory of a loved one, visit Grand Plan or reach out to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/sponsorship
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Grandparent without Korach's Mistake I Connecting Jewish Grandparents episode 46
Are you an aunt, uncle, or grandparent who finds yourself stepping into a parenting role you weren't meant for? It is easy to offer advice that wasn't asked for or try to control outcomes, but often, the greatest gift we can provide is understanding the boundaries of our own role. In this episode, Rabbanit Sharona Hassan dives into the biblical story of Korach. While traditionally viewed as a story of ambition, we explore the tragedy of missing the holiness of the contribution you are already making. We discuss the crucial difference between parents, who manage the daily realities of life, and grandparents, who offer the unique gifts of perspective, family history, and unconditional support. In this video, you will learn: Why the "Korach mistake" is about comparing roles rather than fulfilling your own. How to distinguish between "parenting" responsibilities (schedules, consequences) and "grandparenting" gifts (stories, wisdom, safe harbor). How to stop trying to "fix" your family dynamics and start becoming the grandparent only you can be. Whether you are struggling with boundaries or looking for more fulfillment in your family relationships, this episode offers a new perspective on being a steady, wise, and supportive presence in your loved ones' lives. Join the Grand Plan community here: grandplan.kit.com Sponsor an episode here: grandplan.kit.com/profile/sponsorship #Grandparenting #ParentingBoundaries #FamilyRelationships #BiblicalWisdom #Korach #FamilyAdvice #IntergenerationalFamily #Torah #parsha #jewishfamily #judaism
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Giving Grandchildren Strong Roots I Connecting Jewish Grandparents episode 45
In this week's Torah portion, Shelach, Caleb stands alone against the opinion of the crowd. How did he find the strength to resist fear, peer pressure, and popular opinion? The Torah hints that Caleb visited Hevron, reconnecting with the roots of his family and faith before making a difficult decision. His story offers a powerful lesson for grandparents today. In a world filled with social media, conflicting messages, and constant noise, one of the greatest gifts grandparents can give their grandchildren is a strong sense of identity, belonging, and purpose. Join me as we explore what Caleb's journey can teach us about Jewish grandparenting, family legacy, resilience, values, and giving grandchildren strong roots in a changing world. grandplan.kit.com #JewishGrandparenting #Grandparents #Grandchildren #FamilyLegacy #JewishValues #TorahPortion #Shelach #Parsha #JewishFamily #IntergenerationalConnection #Parenting #Identity #Resilience
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The Mistake Even Loving Grandparents Make
In this week's Torah portion, Beha'alotecha, Miriam and Aaron join together to discuss their brother, Moses. Their conversation may be one of the Torah's earliest examples of what family therapists call triangulation: when two family members unite around concerns about a third person rather than speaking directly with them. What can grandparents learn from this ancient family dynamic? How does triangulation show up in relationships with adult children, children-in-law, spouses, siblings, and even machatanim? And what does the Torah teach us about moving from criticism and assumption toward respect, communication, and repair? If you've ever struggled with family conflict, difficult conversations, boundaries with adult children, relationships with in-laws, Jewish grandparenting, or creating a lasting family legacy, this episode offers timeless wisdom from the Torah. Last chance to sign up for Becoming the Grandparent You Want to Be https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/wor... Topics include: • Parshat Beha'alotecha • Miriam, Aaron, and Moses • Lashon Hara in families • Jewish grandparenting • Adult children and family relationships • Children-in-law and family dynamics • Family communication and conflict resolution • Intergenerational relationships • Jewish family life • Building a meaningful legacy • Torah wisdom for modern families • Grandparenting and family connection #Behaalotecha #TorahPortion #JewishGrandparenting #GrandPlan #FamilyRelationships #AdultChildren #LashonHara #JewishParenting #JewishLife #Parsha #JewishFamily #Legacy #Grandparents #IntergenerationalConnection #TorahWisdom
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When Grandparents and Grandchildren Are Out of Sync
There is less than one week to join Becoming the Grandparent You Want To Be. This is the sign to sign up now! https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, the Grand Plan Podcast, Rabbanit Sharona Hassan explores what happens when grandparents and grandchildren feel emotionally, culturally, religiously, or generationally “out of sync.” Inspired by the temporary split between Torah readings in Israel and the diaspora, this episode reflects on how families can remain deeply connected even when they are not perfectly aligned. This conversation explores: Jewish grandparenting Intergenerational relationships Emotional connection across differences Family communication Attachment and belonging Jewish continuity in modern families Staying connected through differing values, stages, and life experiences Because healthy relationships are not relationships without disconnection. They are relationships that keep returning toward one another. #JewishGrandparents #Grandparenting #JewishFamily #FamilyConnection #grandchildren #JewishContinuity #IntergenerationalRelationships #TorahPodcast #JewishLegacy
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Why Repetition Matters l Naso
In Parashat Naso, the Torah repeats the exact same tribal donations to the Mishkan twelve separate times. A human editor probably would have written: “Each tribe brought the same offering.” But Torah repeats every gift individually. Why? In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents: the Grand Plan Podcast, Rabbanit Sharona Hassan explores how repeated acts of love, ritual, and connection shape family identity and belonging across generations. The same stories. The same blessings. The same yearly gatherings. The same recipes. The same phone calls. In a world obsessed with novelty, Torah reminds us that repetition is often what builds emotional security, resilience, and lasting family connection. Enrollment closes soon for Becoming the Grandparent You Want to Be, Grand Plan’s workshop series on joyful, intentional intergenerational connection and Jewish legacy-building. https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/wor... Podcast episodes and weekly connection emails are also available for sponsorship in honor or memory of loved ones. https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/spo... Cheesecake truffle recipe mentioned in the episode: Cheesecake Truffles Video • Cheesecake Truffles - Easy Cooking with Kids This episode explores: Parashat Naso, Jewish grandparenting, and legacy, Why family rituals matter, The psychology of belonging, Repetition, memory, and identity, Building meaningful connection with grandchildren #ParashatNaso #JewishGrandparents #Grandparenting #JewishLegacy #FamilyTraditions #JewishContinuity
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Grandchildren Need to Know Where They Belong l Bamidbar
In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, the Grand Plan podcast Rabbanit Sharona Hassan explores one of the deepest human needs revealed in Parashat Bamidbar: the need for identity, belonging, and a place to call home. In the Torah, every shevet (tribe) had: a place in the camp, a flag, a community, a shared identity No one wandered the desert alone or disconnected from family and purpose. What does this teach us about raising connected Jewish families today? In a world where children and grandchildren are growing up increasingly disconnected from family history, community, tradition, and identity, grandparents have a unique role to play in helping the next generation know: who they are where they come from and where they belong Sharona shares a moving personal reflection about her family’s annual “Bubbie Shabbat” reunion at the Dead Sea, a tradition created by her grandmother that continues more than a decade after her passing. Through this story and the lens of Bamidbar, this episode explores how intentional family rituals create lasting Jewish continuity and emotional belonging across generations. In this episode: Parashat Bamidbar explained, Jewish identity and belonging, why family traditions matter, the psychology of belonging and resilience, how grandparents shape family legacy, Jewish continuity in a disconnected world, creating meaningful intergenerational connection, why children need strong family stories and roots Research consistently shows that children who know their family stories and feel connected to their family identity demonstrate greater resilience, emotional security, and confidence. This episode explores how Torah wisdom anticipated this truth thousands of years ago. Learn more about the Becoming the Grandparent You Want to Be workshop series with Grand Plan, designed to help grandparents build joyful, intentional, and lasting relationships with grandchildren through Jewish wisdom, practical tools, and meaningful connection. https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop This episode of the Grand Plan Podcast is available for sponsorship in honor or memory of loved ones, to celebrate simchas, anniversaries, birthdays, and meaningful milestones. https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/sponsorship Interested in joining a future workshop series or bringing Grand Plan to your community? Reach out to learn more. #ParashatBamidbar #JewishGrandparents #JewishParenting #JewishLegacy #JewishContinuity #Grandparenting #FamilyConnection #JewishFamily #TorahWisdom #Belonging #Identity #JewishEducation #IntergenerationalConnection #JewishLife #Bamidbar #FamilyTraditions #JewishPodcast #Parenting #Grandchildren #LegacyBuilding
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Why Grandparents Matter Most in Hard Times | Behar Bechukotai
In this episode of the Grand Plan Podcast: Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Rabbanit Sharona Hassan explores a powerful question: What happens when life doesn’t go according to plan? Drawing on Parshat Bechukotai, this episode dives into the Torah’s framework for disconnection, misalignment, and the path back to clarity and connection. Sharona unpacks: Why the Torah emphasizes awareness before correction The deeper meaning of “Briti Yaakov, Briti Yitzchak, Briti Avraham” Why relationships begin with what’s closest to us The surprising role of the Matriarchs (Sarah, Rivka, Rachel) in shaping legacy The hidden message in Yaakov’s name and its connection to redemption How Elijah the Prophet (Eliyahu Hanavi) represents hope across generations Why grandparents are essential anchors of Jewish continuity This episode is a powerful reflection on identity, legacy, and the emotional inheritance we pass down, especially in times of uncertainty. If you're a grandparent, parent, or someone thinking about your legacy, this conversation will shift how you see your role in the Jewish story. Sponsored in loving memory of Ilya Gamel Want to sponsor an episode in honour or memory of a loved one? Click here: https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/sponsorship Want to unpack more about your place as a Jewish grandparent in the legacy left by the patriarchs and matriachs? Learn more here: https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop #JewishGrandparents #ParshatBechukotai #JewishLegacy #TorahWisdom #FamilyConnection #EliyahuHanavi #JewishParenting #Grandparenting #JewishContinuity #LegacyBuilding
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What is the Torah's Secret to Staying Close to Grandchildren? I Emor
Rabbanit Sharona explores Parashat Emor and the deeper meaning behind the Jewish holidays, the Ner Tamid (eternal flame), and the weekly gift of Shabbat. We often feel pressure to create perfect holiday moments, Pesach, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot. But the Torah offers a different model. The light of a family is not built in one powerful experience. It is built through rhythm, consistency, and returning to one another again and again. This episode reframes grandparenting through the lens of joyful, intentional connections, showing how small, consistent moments can create lasting impact across generations. If you’ve ever wondered: How do I stay connected to my grandchildren over time? Do the small moments really matter? How can I build a meaningful Jewish legacy? This conversation will give you a grounded and powerful perspective. And learn more about Becoming the Grandparent You Want To Be: https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop Keywords: Jewish grandparents, Parashat Emor, Shabbat, Ner Tamid, Jewish holidays, family connection, grandparenting, Jewish parenting, legacy, intergenerational relationships, Torah wisdom, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot
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What Should Grandparents Be Wearing?
Rabbanit Sharona Hassan explores the Torah portions of Acharei Mot–Kedoshim through a powerful and practical lens: the changing garments of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) on Yom Kippur. Why did the High Priest change clothes five times? Why did he wear 8 layered garments when representing the people, and only 4 simple white garments when alone in the Holy of Holies? Drawing on the insights of Rashi and Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch, Sharona reveals that these garments were not about appearance, but about role, identity, and intention. This becomes a powerful framework for modern grandparenting. Because every time we show up in our families, we are “wearing” something: Are we fully focused on our grandchildren and their needs? Are we grounded in our own identity and presence? Do we know how to shift between the two? This episode explores how to: balance personal identity with family roles become more intentional in how you show up navigate relationships with clarity and awareness ask the daily question: Who do I want to be today? The key takeaway: Grandparenting is not about choosing between yourself and your family. It is about knowing which “garments” to wear in each moment. New: Episode Sponsorship Opportunity! You can now dedicate an episode of the podcast: in memory of a loved one in honor of a milestone or to celebrate your family’s legacy: https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/sponsorship This episode is dedicated in memory of those who have fallen in service of and to protect the State of Israel. Jewish grandparents, grandparenting advice, Torah podcast, Acharei Mot Kedoshim, Yom Kippur meaning, Kohen Gadol garments, Jewish family relationships, legacy building, intentional parenting, spiritual growth Judaism, Rashi commentary, Samson Raphael Hirsch teachings #JewishGrandparents #TorahPodcast #YomKippur #Kedoshim #AchareiMot #FamilyConnection #Legacy #JewishLife #SpiritualGrowth #Grandparenting
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What Turns Bitter into Sweet?
Why does it sometimes feel harder after Pesach than during it? And how do we move from “bitter” back to “sweet”? In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, the Grand Plan Podcast Rabbanit Sharona explores the powerful moment of the world's first Rosh Chodesh Iyar, which immediately follows the spiritual high of Pesach. Drawing from the story of Marah, where Bnei Yisrael encountered bitter water just days after the miracles of the Exodus, this episode asks a deeply relevant question: What actually transforms bitterness into sweetness? Through this lens, Sharona connects: the emotional transition after Pesach the complexity of the Omer period (growth and mourning) and the Torah’s introduction of chukim and mishpatim as a framework for living, even when things don’t make sense This episode is especially meaningful for anyone: feeling the “drop” after a meaningful holiday navigating family dynamics or emotional complexity seeking practical, grounded ways to create connection and purpose The key takeaway: Sweetness is not always given. Sometimes, it is created through small, intentional actions. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the Torah places the story of Marah at this moment The deeper meaning of the month of Iyar (Ziv / Nitzan) How to respond when life feels “bitter” A simple mindset shift that can change your relationships and your perspective A personal note: At the end of this episode, Sharona shares something that has become a source of sweetness in her own life, the upcoming workshop: Becoming the Grandparent You Want to Be https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop If you are thinking about how to build more meaningful, intentional relationships with your grandchildren, I would love for you to join me. Keywords: Pesach reflection, after Passover, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Omer meaning, Jewish podcast, Torah insights, Parashat Tazria Metzora, Marah bitter water, Jewish grandparents, family relationships, spiritual growth Judaism, chukim mishpatim meaning, Jewish parenting and grandparenting #Pesach #Omer #JewishPodcast #TorahInsights #JewishGrandparents #RoshChodesh #Iyar #SpiritualGrowth #FamilyConnection #JewishLife
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After Pesach: What Actually Stays With You l Shemini
What comes after Pesach? How do you hold onto the meaning, the connection, and the inspiration once the holiday ends? Sign up now for Becoming the Grandparent You Want to Be: https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, the Grand Plan Podcast Sharona explores Parashat Shemini and why it is the perfect bridge from Pesach into everyday life. Shemini, the midpoint of the Torah, brings together powerful contrasts: spiritual elevation and real-life loss practical Jewish living and complex, less tangible laws celebration, grief, structure, and uncertainty Through this lens, Sharona unpacks a central idea: “Kadosh” does not just mean holy. It means distinct. It means choosing. This episode is a guide to: carrying forward what truly matters from Pesach letting go of what doesn’t making intentional choices in family relationships understanding when to step in and when to step back as a grandparent * Especially relevant for those navigating: post-holiday letdown family dynamics the desire to hold onto meaningful moments You’ll walk away with a simple but powerful question: What will you choose to carry forward from Pesach into the rest of your year? Perfect for listening while: cleaning up after Pesach driving or traveling getting back into routine Keywords: Pesach reflection, life after Passover, Jewish grandparents, Parashat Shemini, Torah podcast, Jewish family relationships, post holiday meaning, Omer reflection, Jewish parenting and grandparenting, spiritual growth Judaism
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5 Torah Insights to Transform Your Seder
Rabbanit Sharona Hassan offers five deep Torah insights and practical inspiration to help you approach Passover (Pesach) with greater meaning, intention, and connection. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. The powerful connection between matzah and mitzvot and what it means for daily Jewish life. 2. How the Seder guides us through past (Maggid), present (Shulchan Orech), and future (Nirtza- Next Year in Jerusalem) 3. The deeper meaning behind the Ma Nishtana and its roots in Jewish history 4. A perspective on gratitude and miracles, even in challenging times 5. The significance of the four names of Pesach and how they can shape your personal growth Most importantly, you’ll walk away with a clear question: What will you take from Pesach into the rest of your year? This episode is for Jewish grandparents, parents, and anyone seeking to create meaningful family connections, transmit tradition, and live with greater intention and purpose. Sign up now for Becoming the Grandparent You Want to Be. https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop Read Sharona's articles on Grandparents at Pesach time: https://assets.torahtidbits.com/2026/03/26183518/1654-Tzav-R.Hassan.pdf https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/when-parents-become-guests-at-the-seder/
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Grandparent’s Guide to a Meaningful Pesach
What actually matters most at the Pesach Seder for grandparents? In this episode of the Grand Plan Podcast: Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Sharona shares 5 essential insights every grandparent needs to know before Passover to create a meaningful, memorable Seder for their family. Moving beyond stress about food, logistics, and perfection, this episode reframes the Seder around what truly matters: your role, your story, and your presence. You’ll discover: Why a grandparent’s influence at the Seder is more powerful than you think A meaningful interpretation of the Four Sons as four generations How sharing your personal Pesach story strengthens family identity and connection Why Moshe is absent from the Haggadah and what that teaches about legacy and continuity. Practical ways to engage grandchildren of all ages, including a fun Pesach 3-in-1 game (charades, Pictionary, and Lego-style play) https://bit.ly/GrandPesach . Sharona invites you to join her upcoming workshop series: “Becoming the Grandparent You Want to Be.” https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop This episode is for Jewish grandparents and families who want to deepen intergenerational connection, transmit values and tradition, and create a Seder that their grandchildren will remember for years to come.
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Secrets to Creating Closeness l Vayikra
Can the Torah’s laws of animal sacrifices actually teach us how to be better grandparents? People told master educator Rabbanit Sharona Hassan that parts of the Torah would be impossible to connect to modern grandparenting. What about Vayikra? What could korbanot (sacrifices) possibly teach about family relationships? In this episode of the Grand Plan Podcast: Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Sharona reveals three powerful principles from Parashat Vayikra that can help grandparents build and maintain deep closeness with their grandchildren. Because the word korban doesn’t simply mean sacrifice. It means drawing close. Discover how the Torah’s ancient system of offerings teaches timeless lessons about intentional connection, presence, and the small acts that strengthen family bonds across generations. And if you want to go deeper, Sharona invites you to join her upcoming workshop series: “Becoming the Grandparent You Want to Be.” https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop
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The Secret Ingredient in Building the Mishkan… and Your Family I Vaykhel-Pikudei
In Vayakhel–Pekudei, the Torah describes the builders of the Mishkan as wise of heart and the donors as generous of heart. Why does the Torah keep emphasizing the heart? In this episode, Sharona explores what these phrases teach us about building meaningful relationships with our grandchildren and creating a Jewish legacy that lasts across generations. You’ll also hear about the upcoming Grand Plan Workshop Series for grandparents who want to strengthen the sacred connection between generations. Learn more here: https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop Connecting Jewish Grandparents is a podcast about Jewish grandparenting, intergenerational connection, and building a meaningful Jewish legacy through Torah wisdom and family relationships.
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Ki Tisa: Grandparent’s Guide to Healing Relationships
How do you repair broken family relationships? What does the Torah teach about healing after the Golden Calf? In this episode of the Grand Plan Podcast: Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Sharona explores Parashat Ki Tisa, the sin of the Golden Calf, and the 13 Attributes of Divine Compassion (Yud-Gimel Middot) as a powerful, practical framework for relationship repair, emotional safety, and rebuilding trust across generations. Discover a Jewish, Torah-based model for: repairing family rupture navigating difficult relationships with adult children strengthening the grandparent–grandchild connection slowing down anger and responding with compassion creating safe, loving spaces for honest accountability modeling resilience and healing as your greatest legacy. Sharona breaks the 13 Middot into five actionable steps for repairing relationships: Seeing your loved ones as they truly are Leading with compassion and emotional safety Becoming slow to anger Focusing on the relationship, not the disappointment Holding accountability without rejection 4This episode is for Jewish grandparents, parents, and anyone seeking intergenerational connection, Jewish wisdom for family life, and practical tools for healing after conflict. ✨ Your greatest inheritance is not objects or traditions. It is teaching the next generation how love survives rupture. Next Steps 📌 Interested in support for your own family repair journey? Schedule a one-on-one coaching conversation with Sharona. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more: https://grandplan.kit.com/ 📌 Share this episode with someone navigating family distance or reconnection. 📌 Stay tuned for the upcoming Grand Plan group course on family repair and legacy building.
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Tetzave not just a link in legacy
What if Jewish legacy isn’t a chain… but a braid? In this episode on Parashat Tetzaveh, we explore the Torah’s surprising model for intergenerational connection through the sharsherot zahav, the golden “chains” that hold the Choshen on the heart of the Kohen Gadol, the High Preist. Unlike a standard chain of separate links, these were braided, interwoven strands, offering a powerful new vision for Jewish continuity and the role of grandparents in family life today. You’ll discover: Why the “link in the chain” metaphor may be limiting our relationships How grandparents serve as the roots that anchor identity and belonging A deeper understanding of boundaries, connection, and emotional legacy Practical ways to become more meaningfully woven into your grandchildren’s lives This episode is for Jewish grandparents and the middle generation who want to build strong, healthy, and spiritually grounded family relationships in a modern world. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more: https://grandplan.kit.com/ Topics include: Tetzave, Torah and daily life, emotional safety, Jewish parenting and grandparenting, intergenerational wisdom, and legacy building.
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Terumah: Build the Frame First
In Parashat Terumah, the Torah spends nearly half of its 96 verses describing the structure of the Mishkan, the beams, walls, sockets, and coverings, before detailing the holy vessels like the Aron and Menorah. Why? This episode explores a powerful insight: holiness requires structure. Before Divine Presence can dwell among us, we must build a framework strong enough to hold it. What does this teach us about grandparenting, family relationships, and intergenerational connection today? In a world focused on influence, wisdom, and legacy, this conversation reframes what truly creates lasting impact: emotional safety, boundaries, consistency, and respect. If you care about Jewish parenting, grandparent relationships, family dynamics, Torah wisdom, and building strong intergenerational bonds, this episode is for you. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more: https://grandplan.kit.com
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Mishpatim: Transforming 'If'
In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, the Grand Plan Podcast, Sharona explores the Torah portion Mishpatim and shows how its practical laws transform anxiety-filled what if thinking into grounded, actionable if–then wisdom. Rather than abstract theology, Mishpatim offers a framework for daily life, emotional safety, and responsible planning. Sharona reflects on how structure, mitzvot, and thoughtful preparation help families move from uncertainty to confidence, and how grandparents can pass this wisdom to the next generation. This episode invites listeners to reflect on moments when they turned fear into clarity and to share those lessons with their grandchildren as part of a lasting legacy. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more: https://grandplan.kit.com/ Topics include: Mishpatim, Torah and daily life, emotional safety, Jewish parenting and grandparenting, intergenerational wisdom, and legacy building.
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Yitro: The Art of Honor
In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Sharona explores Parashat Yitro and the Ten Commandments through a modern, family-centered lens, with a focus on the fifth commandment: honoring parents. What does honoring parents look like today, especially as adults and grandparents? This episode reframes the commandment as more than something we demand. It is something we model. Honor grows from how we treat others, respect boundaries, speak with kindness, and allow our children and grandchildren to be themselves. Sharona explores how honoring parents bridges our relationship with God and our relationships with people, and how grandchildren learn respect by watching the adults in their lives. The episode offers practical reflection questions and simple actions to help foster closeness, dignity, and connection across generations. Listeners are invited to consider how they want to be remembered and what kind of ancestor they hope to become. If you are a Jewish grandparent or parent looking to strengthen family relationships and build a meaningful legacy through Jewish wisdom, this episode is for you. To enhance your grandparenting, connect with Sharona and Grand Plan www.grandplan.kit.com To join the Grandparenting Circle with Chai Mitzvah click here. https://www.chaimitzvah.org/events/grandparents-circle/
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Tu B'shvat: Practical Ways to Grow
In this special Tu b’Shvat episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Sharona is joined by Nina Woldin from Chai Mitzvah to share practical, joyful ideas for celebrating Tu b’Shevat with grandchildren. Many Jewish holidays require planning, preparation, and a lot of energy. Tu b’Shvat is different. It is light, flexible, and ideal for building intergenerational connection without pressure. This episode offers concrete tips Jewish grandparents can use right away, whether grandchildren live nearby or far away. Click here to join GRANDparents’ Circle, a monthly virtual gathering for Jewish grandparents seeking connection, learning, and community. Here is the link to FREE Tu b’Shvat Haggadah, activities, and other resources to help you celebrate meaningfully. Click here for all the joy of Grand Plan, weekly inspirations, fun, coaching, and freebies. If you are a Jewish grandparent looking for easy, meaningful ways to connect with your grandchildren through Jewish holidays, this Tu b’Shvat episode is for you.
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Bo: The First Mitzvah of Freedom
In Parashat Bo, the Jewish people receive their first commandment while they are still enslaved. Surprisingly, it is not about escape or survival. It is Rosh Chodesh, the sanctification of time. Freedom begins with the ability to claim ownership over one’s time. In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, we explore how this Torah insight speaks to modern grandparenthood. Many grandparents experience a quiet loss of autonomy, whether through constant childcare, blurred boundaries, or the challenge of maintaining meaningful connection across distance. Through the lens of Bo, this episode offers practical guidance for reclaiming time, setting loving boundaries, and creating intentional rhythms of connection. These ideas sit at the heart of the Grand Plan approach to grandparenting, helping grandparents move from obligation to purpose. Listen now and discover how reclaiming your time can become your first step toward freedom. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more: https://grandplan.kit.com/ Excited about the upcoming Tu b'Shvat Episode with Chai Mitzvah? Download the FREE resources now. https://www.chaimitzvah.org/product/sample-tu-bshvat-activities/
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Vaera: Clarity in a World of Uneven Realities
Parashat Vaera shows us something striking. The Egyptians and the Israelites live in the same place, yet experience completely different realities. Plagues fall on one while the other remains untouched. In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, we explore how this Torah insight speaks to modern life. From social media comparisons to conversations with friends whose children or grandchildren seem to be thriving, many grandparents quietly wonder why their own reality feels so different. This episode offers a Torah-grounded way to move beyond comparison and toward clarity, perspective, and peace. Through the lens of Vaera, we explore how to stay rooted in your values and relationships even when life feels uneven. If you are ready to shift from comparison to growth, I also share how coaching can support you in creating a more aligned and meaningful next chapter. Listen now and find clarity in a world of uneven realities. If you are ready to move from feeling stuck to living with greater clarity and purpose, Grand Plan coaching offers a supportive Torah grounded space to imagine your legacy and take meaningful steps toward it. Book a FREE Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more: https://grandplan.kit.com/ Excited about the upcoming Tu b'Shvat Episode with Chai Mitzvah? Download the FREE resources now. https://www.chaimitzvah.org/product/sample-tu-bshvat-activities/
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Shemot: Working Towards Freedom
Parashat Shemot opens the story of Exodus with a quiet truth. The Israelites did not recognize their enslavement all at once. It unfolded gradually, through comfort, fear, and loss of choice. In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, we explore how Shemot helps us notice where we may feel stuck or disconnected in our own lives. Not only as grandparents, but as people living in a fast, distracted world. Through Torah wisdom and practical reflection, this episode asks: Where might I feel enslaved today? What kind of freedom do I want for myself and for my grandchildren? And what small step could begin a journey toward redemption? Redemption in Torah is not instant. It begins with awareness, commitment, and a willingness to be guided. This episode offers a simple, actionable takeaway for grandparents who want to live more intentionally and pass on values through presence, not perfection. If you are ready to move from feeling stuck to living with greater clarity and purpose, Grand Plan coaching offers a supportive Torah grounded space to imagine your legacy and take meaningful steps toward it. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more: https://grandplan.kit.com
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Vayechi: Blessing Our Real Offspring, Not the Family of Our Dreams
What happens when the family we imagined is not the family we received? In this episode, we turn to Parashat Vayechi and Yaakov’s final blessings to explore one of the most tender challenges of parenthood and grandparenthood. Learning how to bless the children and grandchildren we actually have, not the ones we once dreamed of. Yaakov does not offer equal or idealized blessings. He sees his children clearly, with honesty, disappointment, love, and courage. Through the crossed hands of Ephraim and Menashe, we learn that blessing is not about control or approval, but about truly seeing who stands before us. This episode speaks directly to grandparents navigating differences in values, religious choices, family structures, and life paths. It offers a compassionate reframe for grief, pride, and love that often coexist, along with practical reflections for blessing without fixing. If you have ever felt proud and heartbroken at the same time, this episode is for you. A powerful conversation about legacy, letting go, and the kind of love that makes room for who our descendants are becoming. More information: Grandplan.kit.com Legacy Coaching Call – one-on-one time to join me in dreaming big and transforming you. Book Now Did you enjoy this week's Podcast: Connecting Jewish Grandparents Spotify: bit.ly/JewishPodcast Apple: bit.ly/JewishGrandApple YouTube: bit.ly/GrandPlanVlog Grandparenting Quiz – What type of Jewish Grandparent are you?Find out here! Grandparent Circle – join our online community bit.ly/GrandPCommunity
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Vayigash: Moving to Your Grandchildren: Gift or Quiet Enslavement?
Moving closer to your grandchildren is often framed as the ultimate act of love. But what happens when that gift slowly becomes a loss of freedom, identity, or voice? In this episode on Parashat Vayigash, we examine Yaakov’s descent to Egypt as both a reunion and the beginning of bondage. What starts as safety, abundance, and family closeness quietly turns into dependency and constraint. It is a story many grandparents recognize today. This conversation explores the unspoken emotional costs of relocating for family, the joy of being needed, the danger of over-sacrifice, and how love can turn into obligation when boundaries are not named. Whether you are considering a move, have already relocated, or feel torn between gratitude and resentment, this episode offers Torah-rooted insight and practical wisdom for staying connected without losing yourself. Honest. Uncomfortable. Essential listening for grandparents navigating proximity, purpose, and choice. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more about Grand Plan → bit.ly/GrandPland
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Hanukkah: How do we find light amid the darkness?
This week’s podcast is a special Hanukkah episode for grandparents who are holding both joy and grief at the same time. Hanukkah is not a holiday of easy happiness. It is a holiday of fragile light, lit precisely when the world feels uncertain. In this episode, we explore what grandparents uniquely offer during moments like these: emotional safety, ritual, continuity, and love. We talk about how simple acts, lighting candles, music, comfort foods, sharing stories, and creating warmth, shape how children experience Jewish life and resilience. This is not about pretending everything is okay. It is about choosing presence, meaning, and connection anyway. If you are a grandparent wondering how to celebrate Hanukkah with intention, comfort your grandchildren, and model Jewish strength without fear, this episode is for you. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more about Grand Plan → bit.ly/GrandPland FREE Hanukkah Gift: https://grandplan.kit.com/hanukkahfun Listen now for practical ideas, gentle reflections, and a reminder that your light matters more than you may realize.
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Vayeshev: Guarding Your Family's Dreams
Discover the deeper meaning of Yosef’s dreams and Yaakov’s powerful choice to “guard the matter.” This Vayeshev episode explores how grandparents can protect and nurture the dreams that shape a family’s identity. Learn how to hold hope through uncertainty, how to model resilience for your grandchildren, and how to turn your inner dreams into a living legacy they will carry forward. If you want to raise grandchildren who feel rooted, inspired, and connected, this episode will guide you through Torah themes toward guarding the dreams that matter most. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more about Grand Plan → bit.ly/GrandPland FREE Hanukkah Gift: https://grandplan.kit.com/hanukkahfun
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Vayishlach: The Powerful Method for Reconciliation
This week’s episode (19) explores Parashat Vayishlach and the extraordinary reconciliation between Jacob and Esau (Yaakov and Eisav). Their reunion offers a powerful method for healing conflict in our own families today. We break down the three-step process hidden in the parasha: creating emotional safety, seeking help and reframing internally, and offering a meaningful gesture that honors the other person’s dignity. Drawing on both Torah wisdom and modern research on conflict repair, Sharona speaks to grandparents, parents, and anyone longing to rebuild closeness. If you are navigating tension or distance with family, this framework brings hope, clarity, and a gentle path forward. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more about Grand Plan → bit.ly/GrandPland Join the Grandparent Circle: bit.ly/GrandPCommunity
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Vayetzei: Long-Distance Grandparenting
Grandparenting from a distance is not just a logistical challenge. It is an emotional and spiritual one too. In this episode on Parshat Vayetzei, I explore what Jacob’s lonely journey teaches us about long-distance grandparenting. How do we stay present when we cannot show up physically? Inside this episode you will hear: • A Torah perspective on distance and legacy • The emotional reality of being a faraway grandparent • Practical ideas for staying connected across miles • A new way to think about your sacred role My Free Hanukkah Present for you and your grandchildren: grandplan.kit.com/hanukkahfun Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy 18 Questions for Connection -Bring more joy and life to every conversation: https://grandplan.kit.com/questions Visit the Grand Plan Website: bit.ly/GrandPland Join the Grandparent Circle: bit.ly/GrandPCommunity Want to discover your Jewish Grandparenting style? Take the free personality quiz: https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Stay tuned with Connecting Jewish Grandparents: Spotify: bit.ly/JewishPodcast Apple: bit.ly/JewishGrandApple YouTube: bit.ly/GrandPlanVlog
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Toldot: The Family You Come From
In this week’s episode, we explore Parashat Toldot through the lens of Family of Origin how the emotional patterns, communication styles, and unspoken rules we grew up with still shape the way we grandparent today. Using the stories of Yitzchak, Rivkah, Yaakov, and Eisav, we look at how inherited family dynamics influence relationships with our adult children, our children in law, and our grandchildren. This episode offers practical insights on breaking old patterns, strengthening connections, and creating a healthier legacy for the next generation. Perfect for grandparents, parents, and anyone curious about how family stories are formed and transformed. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy 18 Questions for Connection -Bring more joy and life to every conversation: https://grandplan.kit.com/questions Visit the Grand Plan Website: bit.ly/GrandPland Join the Grandparent Circle: bit.ly/GrandPCommunity Want to discover your Jewish Grandparenting style? Take the free personality quiz: https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Stay tuned with Connecting Jewish Grandparents: Spotify: bit.ly/JewishPodcast Apple: bit.ly/JewishGrandApple YouTube: bit.ly/GrandPlanVlog
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Chayei Sarah: Shaping Your Family's Future
In Parashat Chayei Sarah, we say goodbye to Avraham and Sarah, our first Jewish grandparents. But at the time of their passing, their influence on Yitzchak is unclear, leaving us to wonder: How do we know if our legacy is lasting? This episode explores the challenge every grandparent faces — not always knowing how our children absorb our love and values, yet still having the chance to shape future generations. We discuss how to intentionally leave a meaningful legacy, with practical tips and conversation prompts to deepen connection with your grandchildren today. Perfect for grandparents, parents, and Jewish families who want to strengthen intergenerational bonds, share values, and pass on traditions Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy 18 Questions for Connection -Bring more joy and life to every conversation: https://grandplan.kit.com/questions Visit the Grand Plan Website: bit.ly/GrandPland Join the Grandparent Circle: bit.ly/GrandPCommunity Want to discover your Jewish Grandparenting style? Take the free personality quiz: https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Stay tuned with Connecting Jewish Grandparents: Spotify: bit.ly/JewishPodcast Apple: bit.ly/JewishGrandApple YouTube: bit.ly/GrandPlanVlog
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Vayera, Making Moments More Meaningful
Parashat Vayera begins with Avraham running to welcome three mysterious guests. He prepares food, creates comfort, sets a table, gives his whole heart. And the angels barely speak in return. This week I share the story of Ana, a grandmother I am coaching. Her son asked on Friday if his family could come for Shabbat. She ran through her house to get everything ready. The cooking, the beds, the toys, the small details. She worked so hard to welcome them, just like Avraham, but she still worried that the connection with her granddaughters was not as strong as she hoped. Most grandparents know this feeling. You give so much. You prepare so carefully. And sometimes the children barely talk. Or seem distracted. Or just float in and out. In this episode I share research from Alison Wood Brooks and her book TALK: The science of conversation and the art of being ourselves. Two simple steps can give grandparents more confidence: choose Topics in advance and ask thoughtful Questions. I will also share my “18 Topics to Open Conversation” resource that I use in Grand Plan coaching. These prompts can help you get your grandkids talking in ways that feel natural and connected. Avraham’s quiet encounter with the angels still changes the future. Small gestures can have huge impact. Your presence and effort matter more than you know. Enjoy Your 18 Questions for Connections Guide → https://grandplan.kit.com/questions Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more about Grand Plan → What is Grand Plan? Join the Grandparent Circle→ https://bit.ly/GrandPCommunity What is your grandparenting personality? Quiz → https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz
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Lech lecha: Transformation In Your Name
In this week’s episode of The Grand Plan Podcast, Sharona explores how a single name can hold generations of meaning. When Avram becomes Avraham, his new name carries a mission, to become a father of many nations. What can this ancient transformation teach us about identity, legacy, and the names we choose and are given, especially as grandparents? Through personal stories, including Sharona’s own “Bubby on the move,” this episode invites you to reflect on how names shape who we are and what we pass on. Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy What is your grandparenting personality? Quiz → https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Learn more about Grand Plan → bit.ly/GrandPland Join the Grandparent Circle → bit.ly/GrandPCommunity
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What We Carry Through the Storm | Noach, Legacy, and Grandparenting
What do we choose to carry through life’s storms? In this episode of The Grand Plan, Sharona reflects on Parashat Noach and the role of grandparents in preserving family stories, traditions, and values for the next generation. Discover how the story of Noach teaches resilience, gratitude, and intentional legacy, and learn simple ways to create your own “ark” of love, memory, and connection for your grandchildren. What is your grandparenting personality? Quiz → https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Book a Free Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Ready for Coaching? → https://grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more about Grand Plan → What is Grand Plan? Join the Grandparent Circle→ https://bit.ly/GrandPCommunity
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Episode 13 - Sukkot: Struggle and Success in Joyful Jewish Legacy
In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Sharona explores how the festival of Sukkot teaches us to embrace both struggle and success as essential parts of Jewish legacy. Our greatest family stories aren’t just about comfort or achievement, they’re about overcoming challenges, finding meaning, and passing those lessons on to the next generation. ✨ What struggles in your life have become part of your family’s legacy? ✨ How can grandparents and parents share stories of resilience with children and grandchildren? ✨ Why joy and legacy go hand in hand during Sukkot. 🌿 This year, let your sukkah, and your legacy, be filled with joy, light, and gratitude. 🌟 Ready to shape your legacy with intention? Book a free Legacy Call with Sharona today: https://calendly.com/grandplan What is your grandparenting personality? Quiz → https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Learn more about Legacy Coaching → grandplan.kit.com/legacy Learn more about Grand Plan → grandplan.kit.com Join the Grandparent Circle: bit.ly/GrandPCommunity #Sukkot #JewishPodcast #JewishLegacy #JewishTradition #GrandPlan #ConnectingJewishGrandparents #ZmanSimchateinu #JewishGrandparents
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Rav Kook's 3 Steps to Teshuva That Will Change You this Year
This episode is not just for Grandparents. EVERYONE will benefit from this perspective shift, as we finish Rosh Hashana and face the New Year. Many of us think of teshuva (repentance) as heavy, guilt-filled, or narrowly about fixing our wrongs. But Rav Kook, in his masterwork Orot HaTeshuva (Lights of Repentance), offers a radically different vision: teshuva is the pulse of life itself, a return to our deepest, Divine selves, a universal force of spiritual growth, and a joyful awakening that brings light to the world. In this episode, we’ll discuss: Why Rav Kook saw teshuva as a source of joy, not guilt The personal and cosmic dimensions of return How teshuva connects to family, legacy, and passing on values What it means to see teshuva as a path of hope and creativity Book a free legacy coaching call with me: https://calendly.com/grandplan The book I referenced: https://a.co/d/fz8IO3e
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Connecting Jewish Grandparents - Episode 11 :The Shofar’s Call: Awakening Legacy
What does the sound of the shofar awaken in you? In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Sharona explores the deep meaning of the shofar on Rosh Hashana, the Kingship of the Almighty, the awakening of the soul, and the personal call to step into your role and potential as a grandparent. Through stories and reflection, you’ll discover: ✨ How crowning G-d as King parallels embracing your role as a pillar of continuity in your family. ✨ The shofar as a spiritual “wake-up call” for intentional grandparenting. ✨ Practical ways to use this season to strengthen your legacy and create joyful Jewish traditions. The shofar calls us not just to listen, but to act. As a grandparent, you have the power to shape your family’s story for generations. 🌟 Ready to make your legacy intentional? Book a free Legacy Call with Sharona to imagine your legacy and create a plan to live it: https://calendly.com/grandplan 🎧 Tune in and let the sound of the shofar inspire you this new year. #Shofar #RoshHashana #JewishPodcast #JewishGrandparents #JewishLegacy #JewishTradition #GrandPlan #ConnectingJewishGrandparents
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Connecting Jewish Grandparents - Episode 10: Cheshbon HaNefesh — Soul Accounting for the New Year
As we prepare for Rosh Hashana, Judaism invites us to pause and reflect through a practice called Cheshbon HaNefesh (חֶשְׁבּוֹן הַנֶּפֶשׁ), literally “soul-accounting.” In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Sharona explores how grandparents and parents can use this timeless practice of spiritual reflection and self-inventory to shape their legacy with intention. Together, we’ll ask: Where have I lived my values this year? ] Where do I want to grow in the year ahead? How can I share this practice with my children and grandchildren? Sharona shares stories, Jewish wisdom, and practical steps for weaving Cheshbon HaNefesh into family life, making it more than just a High Holiday ritual but a legacy of mindfulness and meaning passed across generations. Join the journey of reflection, renewal, and legacy. Ready to make you work on this together? Book a Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Learn more and explore the Joy Kit at https://bit.ly/CirclesJoy What is your grandparenting personality? Quiz → https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Learn more about Grand Plan → bit.ly/GrandPland Join the Grandparent Circle: bit.ly/GrandPCommunity #CheshbonHaNefesh #JewishPodcast #RoshHashana #JewishGrandparents #SpiritualReflection #JewishTradition #GrandPlan
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Episode 9: Circles of Influence & Joy: How Do Grandparents Shape Generations?
How much influence do grandparents really have in their grandchildren’s lives? In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Sharona shares her background in Social Work and explores Systems Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Spheres of Influence to reveal how grandparents impact not just the home, but the entire ecosystem surrounding their family. From the microsystem of family rituals and weekly calls, to the macrosystem of Jewish values and traditions, grandparents play a powerful role in shaping identity and legacy. Sharona ties these ideas to her Joy Kit circles, showing how practical, joyful activities can bring theory to life across generations. Whether you’re a grandparent near or far, this episode will inspire you to see your influence as ripple effects of love, values, and presence. Discover how to strengthen your role in your family system while honoring parents, traditions, and community. ✨ Ready to make your circles of influence intentional? Learn more and explore the Joy Kit at https://bit.ly/CirclesJoy What is your grandparenting personality? Quiz → https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Book a Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Learn more about Grand Plan → bit.ly/GrandPland Join the Grandparent Circle: bit.ly/GrandPCommunity #JewishGrandparents #JewishLegacy #FamilyHistory #GrandPlan #ConnectingJewishGrandparents #LifeLessons #Heritage #JewishTradition
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What Is (Your) Grand Plan? Connecting Jewish Grandparents Episode 8
What does it take to turn love, wisdom, and tradition into a lasting legacy? In this episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, Sharona discusses the importance of Grand Plan, forming an intentional legacy that your grandchildren will carry forward for generations. Drawing on over 20 years in Jewish education, Sharona shares why having a plan matters, what steps to include, and how grandparents can overcome common challenges like distance, busyness, or uncertainty. With practical tools, Jewish wisdom, and heartfelt encouragement, she shows how even small, consistent acts of connection become the foundation for continuity. Whether you’re a grandparent or part of the middle generation, this episode will inspire you to begin crafting your own “Grand Plan” for Jewish values, family traditions, and lifelong memories. Start today: Write down 3 values you want to pass on. That’s the beginning of your legacy. Want personal guidance? Book a session with Sharona to design your own Grand Plan. If you’ve ever wondered how to pass down your wisdom, keep traditions alive, and make your mark on the world, this episode is for you. What is your grandparenting personality? Quiz → https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Book a Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Learn more about Grand Plan → bit.ly/GrandPland Join the Grandparent Circle: bit.ly/GrandPCommunity #JewishGrandparents #JewishLegacy #FamilyHistory #GrandPlan #ConnectingJewishGrandparents #LifeLessons #Heritage #JewishTradition
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What is (Your) Legacy? | Connecting Jewish Grandparents Podcast Episode 7
What does legacy really mean and how do you shape yours? In this episode, Jewish educator and Grand Plan founder Sharona explores the meaning of legacy beyond money and possessions. From Jewish values and traditions to family stories, life lessons, and meaningful rituals, discover how to create a legacy that will inspire generations. Sharona shares practical tips for identifying your core values, documenting your story, and living your legacy now so your children and grandchildren feel connected to you and to Jewish life. If you’ve ever wondered how to pass down your wisdom, keep traditions alive, and make your mark on the world, this episode is for you. What is your grandparenting personality? Quiz → https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Book a Legacy Planning Call with Sharona → https://calendly.com/grandplan Learn more about Grand Plan → bit.ly/GrandPland Join the Grandparent Circle: bit.ly/GrandPCommunity #JewishGrandparents #JewishLegacy #FamilyHistory #GrandPlan #ConnectingJewishGrandparents #LifeLessons #Heritage #JewishTradition
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The Glue: How do you make connections that really stick? Episode 6
How do you make intergenerational connections that actually stick? In this episode of Grand Plan, we explore the secret glue behind lasting relationships between Jewish grandparents and their grandchildren is consistency and content. We explored consistency in episode 4. Today we explore the need for content! Whether you're a grandparent or part of the middle generation, you'll learn: The three types of connections Why consistency alone isn't enough How content in consistent ways creates deep bonds The surprising psychology behind lasting Jewish family connection Want more Planned Connections? Visit the Grand Plan Website: The Grand Plan Page Join the Grandparent Circle: Grandparents Circle Want to discover your Jewish Grandparenting style? Take the free personality quiz: https://bit.ly/Grandparentquiz Enjoy more episodes: Spotify: bit.ly/JewishPodcast Apple: bit.ly/JewishGrandApple YouTube: bit.ly/GrandPlanVlog #JewishGrandparents #FamilyConnection #GrandPlan #JewishLegacy #IntergenerationalConnection #GrandparentingTips #JewishParenting #LdorVdor
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The Secret Sauce to Jewish Continuity
After more than 20 years as a groundbreaking leader in Jewish education, Sharona reveals what truly moves the needle for Jewish continuity and it’s not another classroom program. It’s grandparents! In this energizing episode, Sharona shares the story behind her most impactful educational model, one that brought together kids, parents, and grandparents around Jewish holidays in a way that stuck. She explains why grandparents are uniquely positioned to transmit values, inspire meaning, and bring joy to Jewish life often in ways parents simply can't. Get inspired to step into your role with confidence, creativity, and connection and hear why Grand Plan may be the missing piece in your family’s Jewish journey. 🎧 Listen to The Grand Plan Podcast and rediscover your role in shaping legacy, love, and learning across generations. Enjoy more episodes: Spotify: bit.ly/JewishPodcast Apple: bit.ly/JewishGrandApple YouTube: bit.ly/GrandPlanVlog Learn more: bit.ly/GrandPland Join the Grandparent Circle: bit.ly/GrandPCommunity
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Consistency: Showing Up Across Generations and Distances | Grand Plan Podcast Ep. 4
What does it mean to show up for your grandchildren even when you're far away? In this heartfelt episode of The Grand Plan Podcast, Sharona shares her personal journey of cross-generational connection, honoring her paternal grandparents’ legacy of love, ritual, and unwavering presence. Through moving stories of Sunday phone calls, long-distance travel, and imperfect but meaningful efforts, Sharona illustrates why consistency and not perfection is the real secret to impactful grandparenting. This episode is a loving tribute to her grandparents, Chaim Shlomo and Peha Rut, whose steady presence across continents shaped her life. She now carries forward their legacy to help Jewish grandparents show up with intention, authenticity, and technology. What You’ll Learn: The power of consistent presence in a grandchild’s life How to use technology (like Zoom, voice memos, and Google Calendar) to stay connected Ways to create remote rituals that foster Jewish identity Why involving the middle generation is essential How to show up even when visits aren’t perfect and why that’s okay
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The “B” Word! 4 Steps to Setting & Respecting Boundaries as a Grandparent | Connecting Jewish Grandparents Ep 3
The “B” word... boundaries. They can feel awkward, confusing, or even painful especially for grandparents who just want to be helpful and involved. But when done well, boundaries build trust, not walls. In this episode of The Grand Plan Podcast, we dive into 4 practical and compassionate steps grandparents can take to establish and respect boundaries without tension, guilt, or second-guessing. You’ll hear how to: Respond to difficult parenting choices Clarify your role as a grandparent in changing times Strengthen relationships with your grandchildren AND their parents Whether you're a hands-on bubbie, a long-distance saba, or navigating blended families, this episode will help you show up with love and respect and pass down a family legacy rooted in trust.
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How Can Jewish Grandparents Build a Lasting Family Legacy? | Connecting Jewish Grandparents Ep 1
Welcome to the first episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents, your guide to intentional Jewish grandparenting and building deep connections with your grandchildren! In this introductory episode we explore how grandparents are the solution to so many of our problems. Learn how grandparents can strengthen family bonds, pass down traditions, and create meaningful legacies for the next generation. Sharona introduces herself, her background, and her vision of Grand Plan. Subscribe for more grandparenting tips: https://jewishgrandparents.carrd.co/ Connecting Jewish Grandparents on YouTube. Learn more about The Grand Plan Program: [insert your website link]
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Connecting Jewish Grandparents, your guide to intentional Jewish grandparenting and building deep connections with your grandchildren. Each episode shares practical advice, inspiring stories, and timeless traditions to help you create a meaningful family legacy. Whether you’re a grandparent, parent, or part of the ”sandwich generation,” Connecting Jewish Grandparents offers tools to strengthen family bonds across generations.Topics include: grandparenting tips, Jewish family traditions, building strong relationships, intergenerational wisdom, parenting partnerships, family legacy, and meaningful connections with grandchildren.
HOSTED BY
Sharona Hassan - Grand Plan
CATEGORIES
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