Meet Marci Elkin
August 26, 2024 | People in Our Neighborhood
Marci is one of the Jewish Connection Network’s newest Community Connectors, but she has been an active part of the Jewish Community her whole life. With a background in teaching preschool, she loves caring for her grandchildren and bringing Judaism into their lives. Marci and her husband have four daughters who have non-Jewish spouses and four grandchildren for whom she keeps Judaism in their lives.
How has your experience as a preschool teacher at the JCC influenced the way you introduce your grandchildren to Judaism and Jewish culture?
As a preschool teacher, I incorporated Judaism into all of my lessons. I do the same work with my grandchildren. I often count in Hebrew with them, and I use some Hebrew words like todah for “thank you”. I sing Jewish-related songs with them and we watch song videos such as Aleph-bet and the Shabbat dinosaur song. I celebrate all of the holidays with them as well.
What interested you in becoming the Jewish Connection Network’s Grandparent Connector?
Being a Grandparent Connector is the perfect role for me at this stage of my life. Becoming a grandparent enhanced my life in every way imaginable, in ways that only other grandparents can truly understand. I love connecting people , having meaningful conversations and bonding with new people. I’m very inclusive within my clusters of friends. I especially love coffee dates, so I thought it was great to be able to have coffee and get to know others in the process.
How has your role as a grandparent connector helped you build relationships within the community, and what have you learned from other grandparents?
As a grandparent connector, I have built relationships not just with other grandparents but also with other Jewish professionals. I hear more about what is going on in the Jewish community and can be a more active participant. One of the grandmothers I met told me when she thinks about who the most influential person in her life was growing up, it was her grandmother. That really resonated with me. I feel like being a grandmother is so important.
How did you navigate your children’s decisions to marry non-Jewish spouses, and how has that shaped your approach to maintaining Jewish traditions in your family?
We only celebrate Jewish holidays and adhere to Jewish traditions, so my children and grandchildren will experience Jewish culture through me. Our non-Jewish family members are not at all religious so that makes things a lot easier. My grandchildren who live in town are currently attending a Jewish preschool.
How do you balance teaching your grandchildren about Judaism with respecting the traditions and beliefs of their non-Jewish parents?
Our family is very respectful of all customs and traditions; however, they know that they will only experience Jewish traditions when they are with me.
Can you share any special moments or memories you’ve had while teaching your grandchildren about Judaism?
My grandchildren are already such great people. We talk about doing mitzvot and the importance of being kind to others. We also teach them about giving back to the community. We get them involved in filling care packages for those experiencing homelessness.
What advice would you give to other grandparents who are looking to share their Jewish heritage with their grandchildren in interfaith families?
I would advise other grandparents to become the family “Judaism experts”, be proud of their heritage, and share everything they know with their children and grandchildren.
As a retiree, what are some of your hobbies, outside of being with your family and grandchildren?
I travel a lot. When I’m not in Europe, or visiting my grandchildren in Towson, Seattle, Tampa, or New Haven, I have walking dates, coffee dates, and lunch dates with friends. I also read a lot, bake, and exercise.