A Blessing on Your Head: Online Shabbat Childrens’ Blessings for Far-Flung Families
Fri, Oct 17
|Virtual Event via Zoom
Join Shabbat with Friends for a 15-minute online gathering where families bless their children and grandchildren before Shabbat. Led by Rabbi Dov Gartenberg, the session includes a short teaching, breakout rooms for blessings, and a chance to connect with other families.
Time & Location
Oct 17, 2025, 5:30 PM – 5:45 PM MST
Virtual Event via Zoom
About the event
The song “A Blessing on Your Head” from the musical, Fiddler on the Roof, refers to the traditional blessings of the children on Sabbath eve. SWF is piloting a program for parents and extended families to bless their children or grandchildren Shabbat online prior to the Sabbath. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to nurture a love of the Sabbath and of family using modern technology to reduce distances. A Blessing on Your Head runs 15 minutes from 5:30 to 5:45 prior to the onset of Shabbat in New Mexico.
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg, Convener of Shabbat with Friends, leads the session online. He provides a brief Torah teaching, instructions on how to do the blessings, and sets up breakout rooms for families to bless their children. Following the family blessings, we end the session with a brief introduction to connect the participating families.
The program is free but does require preregistration. For questions, contact Rabbi Dov Gartenberg…