Resources for Talking to Your Children About Israel

Israel is living a nightmare this weekend. Our hearts ache for the people of Israel.

PJ Library and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation have a deep, unshakable connection to the State of Israel. We are proud to share stories with families around the globe that celebrate Israel and promote a sense of responsibility to the country and its people. And we are proud to reach hundreds of thousands of Israeli children and their families each month through PJ Library’s Hebrew-language counterpart, Sifriyat Pijama, and Arabic-language companion program, Maktabat al-Fanoos.

Processing the horrific attack on Israel is difficult. Explaining it to a child can feel borderline impossible. It’s helpful to:
 

1.       Take the cues from your child

2.       Model calm

3.       Be reassuring

4.       Help children express their feelings

5.       Be developmentally appropriate

If you are struggling, as many of us are, to navigate conversations about events in Israel with your children or grandchildren, links and resources are available on the PJ Library website, including:
 

• General information about Israel
• Understanding the map of Israel
• How to talk to kids about scary situations
• How to talk to children about antisemitism

Other Resources

• Child & Youth Mental Health Intake Clinics - Province of BC 
• Kids Help Phone 
• "There is a War in Israel" Storybook
• How to Talk to Kids and Teens about the Israel-Hamas War
• The 9/11 Memorial and Museum: Talking to Children about Terrorism
• Jewish Grandparents Network: How to Talk with Grandchildren about Death and Dying
• Jewish Grandparetns Network: Webinar About How to Discuss Antisemitism with Teens and Preteens