Zipper Songs: A Theology of Participation and Trust
Why zipper songs work: the open slot makes every kiddo a creator. A songleader’s theology of fill-in-the-blank songs, with three examples from Pray and Play.
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Music. Memory. Meaning.
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Songleading for Kiddos
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Testimonials
The Difference Dr. Emily Makes
We hired Emily to be the musician-in-residence at a family retreat, and she was fantastic. Her energy and enthusiasm come from a wealth of both Judaic and child-centered expertise, and her musical moments were a true highlight of our event. Emily is great to work with and inspiring to sing with. 10/10 would hire again!
As the result of Dr. Aronoff’s work with us, we were able to implement a student-driven religious school program for K-2, develop a robust Tot Shabbat experience, and develop stakeholders to support our work.
Working with Dr. Emily has been an incredible experience in honing my craft as a Tot Shabbat leader. She is a generous mentor, providing a wealth of resources and practical insights that I can immediately apply to my sessions. Her passion for Jewish music and education shines through in every interaction.
[Since learning with Emily] I’ve found my kiddos to become every more engaged in music class and I’m feel more confident in how I’m teaching, engaging, and connecting with my students. From the babies to the 5 year-olds, they have found both the joy in music and Judaism and I couldn’t ask for much more than that.
From The Blog
Why Play Belongs in Prayer
Play and prayer are both acts of creation and connection. I think they are essential activities for folks of every age and stage. How zipper songs invite kiddos and the grown ups with them into spiritual play, grounded in Brown, the AAP, NAEYC, and Miller.
Behavior Is Communication
When a kiddo melts down or a parent checks out, the behavior is information. A developmental field guide for leading young children in Jewish worship.
