A wide network that educates, connects and supports grandparents as essential partners in enriching Jewish life across the generations, welcomed 546 participants from around the United States to Learning Fest 2026 on Jan. 27. The program included sessions covering long-distance grandparenting, generational dynamics around Israel, navigating interfaith families, supporting neurodivergent grandchildren and more.
“Grandparents hold a unique place in many families; they are the keepers of stories and a bridge between the past and future,” said Debra (“Debs”) Weinberg, executive director of the Jewish Grandparents Network. “At the same time, many families have complicated dynamics, and the world today is also complicated.
Learning Fest, she said, “gave grandparents tools to navigate these challenges, connect with each other for support, and feel valued. We’re excited to build strong Jewish families and a brighter Jewish future.”
Grandparents connected to the event virtually, some joining together in watch parties. They heard from keynote speaker Dr. Becky Kennedy, also known as “Dr. Becky,” a clinical psychologist, mom of three, and a popular podcaster, social-media megastar and CEO of Good Inside.
She explored with interviewer Leah Kahn, vice president of Jewish Education at Assembly, how today’s parents are approaching emotional health, boundaries and connection—and how grandparents can play a meaningful role in supporting strong, emotionally healthy families across generations.
“Learning Fest was welcoming and informative, and the variety of topics was certainly relevant to a broad range of grandparents,” said attendee Shelley Hendler of Baltimore. “There was something for everyone. I really enjoyed Dr. Kennedy’s presentation. And as a real bonus, the Fest truly served as a connector. I chatted with a friend I haven’t seen in years, and we made plans to get together.”
In addition to interest-based small group breakouts, expert-led sessions included:
• At a Distance: Practical and Meaningful Ways to Build Relationships with Grandchildren Who Live Far Away; Kerry Byrne, Ph.D., founder of The Long Distance Grandparent
• When Grandparents Get Canceled (and What to Do About It); Rachel Haack, LMFT, a marriage and family therapist associate
• How Grandparents Can Bring Storytelling to Life Through Play; Jonathan Shmidt Chapman, founder of the K’ilu Company
• Has It Ever Been Possible for Families to Calmly Discuss Israel? Exploring the Generational Dynamics of Israel Infatuation, Anxiety, and Ambivalence; Jonathan Kessler, founder and CEO of Heart of a Nation
• How Grandparents with Neurodivergent Grandchildren Can Embrace and Support Their Family; Dr. Richard Solomon, developmental and behavioral pediatrician
• Ritual Reimagined: Crafting Meaningful and Memorable Moments with Your Grandchildren; Ezra Bookman, founder, ritualist
• Opening the Heart: Becoming a Grandparent; Dr. Jane Shapiro, Master teacher of Torah and Jewish thought, history and literature.
• Doing Jewish, Feeling Jewish, Being Jewish: Grandparents as Guides in Mixed-Heritage and Multifaith Families; Rabbi Samuel Klein, Director of Jewish Engagement at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
• Texts, TikToks and Time Together: Building Real Bonds with Your Teen Grandkids; Drew Fidler, LCSW-C, senior director of the BBYO Center for Adolescent Wellness, and Ian Kandel, BBYO’s senior vice president for movement building
• Affirming and Loving Your Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender Expansive Grandchildren; Tracey Labgold, Keshet’s Florida education and training manager
“Research shows that most Jewish grandparents want to pass along Jewish traditions and values to their grandchildren,” said Weinberg. “Through JGN webinars, gatherings and other resources, we can help more grandparents do exactly that.”
