(Image: Afikomen Judaica in Berkeley)
What makes a home “Jewish”? This can be answered on so many levels, but today let’s look at the physical ones. How does one decorate, enhance, and embellish a home to display its identity as a Jewish home?
Mezuzah
Often the very first thing one sees that identities a house as Jewish, is the mezuzah on the doorpost. If you decide to hang one on your doorpost there is a brief blessing that is said. Also, there is a specific place relative to your door’s orientation that it is placed.Mezuzot (plural of mezuzah) may be hung on doorways inside your house as well. There are some very sweet ones that are particularly aimed at the bedroom doors of children.
If you hang one, be proud to know what the laws surrounding this ritual object are.
Art
Once inside, there are typically immediate visual clues. Art can be Jewish because of the subject matter or the artist. I suggest browsing to find the colors and images that are pleasing to you. The non-Jewish partner should have a distinct say in what feels homey.
Books
As the daughter of a bookstore owner I can state that, “a home is not a home without books”. First, if there are children in your home, they need Jewish books so that they experience being seen in the world. PJ Library is a peerless program that sends an age appropriate book once a month to a child. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles can sign up a child. In most communities, like ours in the Bay Area, the books are free.
For adults, I believe you should have a siddur/prayer book that reflects your Jewish community – in other words, if you’re Conservative, have a Conservative prayer book. Be able to look things up at home.
Fiction? YES! Read books from different Jewish cultures so that you gain an understanding of how varied Jews around the world are. There are a number of terrific fantasies or magical realism novels available.
History, Jewish law, cookbooks, I could go on forever. Whatever your interest, find Jewish flavored books.
Holiday objects
I have a Passover seder plate that isn’t a plate, it’s a Kearah (tray). It is so beautiful that I leave it out on display year round. I often see lovely hanukiah displayed as art in Jewish homes. There are truly endless beautiful objects that can serve as both art and function.
Lifecycle objects
How does your family define itself? Are you outdoorsy? Animal lovers? Social activists?
Animal lovers: NOAH’S ARK! Need I say more? I have a million ideas.
Social action: Get a Tzedakah box. Money helps, but a box will remind you to make gifts of love, time, and engagement. That could be volunteering to read to children, cleaning up our parks.
Family oriented: Every family member, as they reach the age of adulthood under Jewish law, 12 for girls, 13 for boys, could get their own Kiddish cup and/or Shabbat candlesticks, kippah, tallit, or jewelry. (My son wanted a BIG star of David necklace for his bar mitzvah.)
Nature lovers: Tu BiShvat – a hundred ways to love the earth and protect it. Make your own decorations. In fact, I’m so excited about my ideas that I hereby commit to a Tu Bishvat program on Feb. 1, 2026 – put that on your calendar!
Friends, I could go on, but there’s too much to say. If you have a particular question, email me ([email protected]).
P.S. There's a huge benefit to occupants of the home in having their identity confirmed in their most intimate surroundings.
What makes a home “Jewish”? This can be answered on so many levels, but today let’s look at the physical ones. How does one decorate, enhance, and embellish a home to display its identity as a Jewish home?
Mezuzah
Often the very first thing one sees that identities a house as Jewish, is the mezuzah on the doorpost. If you decide to hang one on your doorpost there is a brief blessing that is said. Also, there is a specific place relative to your door’s orientation that it is placed.Mezuzot (plural of mezuzah) may be hung on doorways inside your house as well. There are some very sweet ones that are particularly aimed at the bedroom doors of children.
If you hang one, be proud to know what the laws surrounding this ritual object are.
Art
Once inside, there are typically immediate visual clues. Art can be Jewish because of the subject matter or the artist. I suggest browsing to find the colors and images that are pleasing to you. The non-Jewish partner should have a distinct say in what feels homey.
Books
As the daughter of a bookstore owner I can state that, “a home is not a home without books”. First, if there are children in your home, they need Jewish books so that they experience being seen in the world. PJ Library is a peerless program that sends an age appropriate book once a month to a child. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles can sign up a child. In most communities, like ours in the Bay Area, the books are free.
For adults, I believe you should have a siddur/prayer book that reflects your Jewish community – in other words, if you’re Conservative, have a Conservative prayer book. Be able to look things up at home.
Fiction? YES! Read books from different Jewish cultures so that you gain an understanding of how varied Jews around the world are. There are a number of terrific fantasies or magical realism novels available.
History, Jewish law, cookbooks, I could go on forever. Whatever your interest, find Jewish flavored books.
Holiday objects
I have a Passover seder plate that isn’t a plate, it’s a Kearah (tray). It is so beautiful that I leave it out on display year round. I often see lovely hanukiah displayed as art in Jewish homes. There are truly endless beautiful objects that can serve as both art and function.
Lifecycle objects
How does your family define itself? Are you outdoorsy? Animal lovers? Social activists?
Animal lovers: NOAH’S ARK! Need I say more? I have a million ideas.
Social action: Get a Tzedakah box. Money helps, but a box will remind you to make gifts of love, time, and engagement. That could be volunteering to read to children, cleaning up our parks.
Family oriented: Every family member, as they reach the age of adulthood under Jewish law, 12 for girls, 13 for boys, could get their own Kiddish cup and/or Shabbat candlesticks, kippah, tallit, or jewelry. (My son wanted a BIG star of David necklace for his bar mitzvah.)
Nature lovers: Tu BiShvat – a hundred ways to love the earth and protect it. Make your own decorations. In fact, I’m so excited about my ideas that I hereby commit to a Tu Bishvat program on Feb. 1, 2026 – put that on your calendar!
Friends, I could go on, but there’s too much to say. If you have a particular question, email me ([email protected]).
P.S. There's a huge benefit to occupants of the home in having their identity confirmed in their most intimate surroundings.
What makes a home “Jewish”? This can be answered on so many levels, but today let’s look at the physical ones. How does one decorate, enhance, and embellish a home to display its identity as a Jewish home?
Mezuzah
Often the very first thing one sees that identities a house as Jewish, is the mezuzah on the doorpost. If you decide to hang one on your doorpost there is a brief blessing that is said. Also, there is a specific place relative to your door’s orientation that it is placed.Mezuzot (plural of mezuzah) may be hung on doorways inside your house as well. There are some very sweet ones that are particularly aimed at the bedroom doors of children.
If you hang one, be proud to know what the laws surrounding this ritual object are.
Art
Once inside, there are typically immediate visual clues. Art can be Jewish because of the subject matter or the artist. I suggest browsing to find the colors and images that are pleasing to you. The non-Jewish partner should have a distinct say in what feels homey.
Books
As the daughter of a bookstore owner I can state that, “a home is not a home without books”. First, if there are children in your home, they need Jewish books so that they experience being seen in the world. PJ Library is a peerless program that sends an age appropriate book once a month to a child. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles can sign up a child. In most communities, like ours in the Bay Area, the books are free.
For adults, I believe you should have a siddur/prayer book that reflects your Jewish community – in other words, if you’re Conservative, have a Conservative prayer book. Be able to look things up at home.
Fiction? YES! Read books from different Jewish cultures so that you gain an understanding of how varied Jews around the world are. There are a number of terrific fantasies or magical realism novels available.
History, Jewish law, cookbooks, I could go on forever. Whatever your interest, find Jewish flavored books.
Holiday objects
I have a Passover seder plate that isn’t a plate, it’s a Kearah (tray). It is so beautiful that I leave it out on display year round. I often see lovely hanukiah displayed as art in Jewish homes. There are truly endless beautiful objects that can serve as both art and function.
Lifecycle objects
How does your family define itself? Are you outdoorsy? Animal lovers? Social activists?
Animal lovers: NOAH’S ARK! Need I say more? I have a million ideas.
Social action: Get a Tzedakah box. Money helps, but a box will remind you to make gifts of love, time, and engagement. That could be volunteering to read to children, cleaning up our parks.
Family oriented: Every family member, as they reach the age of adulthood under Jewish law, 12 for girls, 13 for boys, could get their own Kiddish cup and/or Shabbat candlesticks, kippah, tallit, or jewelry. (My son wanted a BIG star of David necklace for his bar mitzvah.)
Nature lovers: Tu BiShvat – a hundred ways to love the earth and protect it. Make your own decorations. In fact, I’m so excited about my ideas that I hereby commit to a Tu Bishvat program on Feb. 1, 2026 – put that on your calendar!
Friends, I could go on, but there’s too much to say. If you have a particular question, email me ([email protected]).
P.S. There's a huge benefit to occupants of the home in having their identity confirmed in their most intimate surroundings.
What makes a home “Jewish”? This can be answered on so many levels, but today let’s look at the physical ones. How does one decorate, enhance, and embellish a home to display its identity as a Jewish home?
Mezuzah
Often the very first thing one sees that identities a house as Jewish, is the mezuzah on the doorpost. If you decide to hang one on your doorpost there is a brief blessing that is said. Also, there is a specific place relative to your door’s orientation that it is placed.Mezuzot (plural of mezuzah) may be hung on doorways inside your house as well. There are some very sweet ones that are particularly aimed at the bedroom doors of children.
If you hang one, be proud to know what the laws surrounding this ritual object are.
Art
Once inside, there are typically immediate visual clues. Art can be Jewish because of the subject matter or the artist. I suggest browsing to find the colors and images that are pleasing to you. The non-Jewish partner should have a distinct say in what feels homey.
Books
As the daughter of a bookstore owner I can state that, “a home is not a home without books”. First, if there are children in your home, they need Jewish books so that they experience being seen in the world. PJ Library is a peerless program that sends an age appropriate book once a month to a child. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles can sign up a child. In most communities, like ours in the Bay Area, the books are free.
For adults, I believe you should have a siddur/prayer book that reflects your Jewish community – in other words, if you’re Conservative, have a Conservative prayer book. Be able to look things up at home.
Fiction? YES! Read books from different Jewish cultures so that you gain an understanding of how varied Jews around the world are. There are a number of terrific fantasies or magical realism novels available.
History, Jewish law, cookbooks, I could go on forever. Whatever your interest, find Jewish flavored books.
Holiday objects
I have a Passover seder plate that isn’t a plate, it’s a Kearah (tray). It is so beautiful that I leave it out on display year round. I often see lovely hanukiah displayed as art in Jewish homes. There are truly endless beautiful objects that can serve as both art and function.
Lifecycle objects
How does your family define itself? Are you outdoorsy? Animal lovers? Social activists?
Animal lovers: NOAH’S ARK! Need I say more? I have a million ideas.
Social action: Get a Tzedakah box. Money helps, but a box will remind you to make gifts of love, time, and engagement. That could be volunteering to read to children, cleaning up our parks.
Family oriented: Every family member, as they reach the age of adulthood under Jewish law, 12 for girls, 13 for boys, could get their own Kiddish cup and/or Shabbat candlesticks, kippah, tallit, or jewelry. (My son wanted a BIG star of David necklace for his bar mitzvah.)
Nature lovers: Tu BiShvat – a hundred ways to love the earth and protect it. Make your own decorations. In fact, I’m so excited about my ideas that I hereby commit to a Tu Bishvat program on Feb. 1, 2026 – put that on your calendar!
Friends, I could go on, but there’s too much to say. If you have a particular question, email me ([email protected]).
P.S. There's a huge benefit to occupants of the home in having their identity confirmed in their most intimate surroundings.
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