INTRODUCTION:

What is Galentine’s Day?  

“Believe it or not, we actually have Amy Poehler to thank for this day of celebration. Well, kinda. Her fictional character, Leslie Knope, from the comedy show Parks and Recreation, coined the term during the second season of the show in 2010. She explains in the episode, “What is Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it… ladies celebrating ladies.” So, basically, it’s the greatest fake holiday ever! Believe it or not, we actually have Amy Poehler to thank for this day of celebration. Well, kinda. Her fictional character, Leslie Knope, from the comedy show Parks and Recreation, coined the term during the second season of the show in 2010. She explains in the episode, “What is Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it… ladies celebrating ladies.” So, basically, it’s the greatest fake holiday ever! Watch the clip here. 

This Fake Holiday falls on a Jewish Holiday – Shabbat. So why not combine the two and think about how love plays a part in Jewish life and how we each are loved.  

MATERIALS:  

• “What’s love got to do with it?” source sheet
• Breakfast Food
• Shabbat ritual items 
• Chocolate 
• Pink decorations  
• Love affirmation stones  

PROGRAM OUTLINE (1.5 hours): 

• Assemble and Shabbat ritual 
• Grab food, discuss different types and usage of love in Judaism (above sheet can be a guide) 
• Chocolate dessert and choose your love affirmation stone 

Assemble and Shabbat ritual (15 minutes) 

• Embrace the brunch aspect of Galentine’s Day and invite participants to come in brunch clothes (either comfy clothes, or fancy brunch clothes. 
• Gather everyone together and begin with Shabbat rituals. Consider braiding your challah in the shape of a heart to really embrace the love theme? 

Food and Conversation (45-60 minutes) 

• Brunch for dinner is always a treat. Here’s an easy frittata recipe. Or overnight challah French toast casserole is easy and can be done in advance. Same with blintz souffle.   
• As you’re eating, have a discussion about the different ways that love appears in our lives (platonic, self, romantic, healing, etc…). Using the source sheet, look at the ways that love also plays a part in Judaism.  

Blind Date with Our Books! (30 minutes)

• Galentine’s Day would not be complete without chocolate, lean into a chocolate dessert or truffles. 
• Remind everyone that they are loved. Despite all that is hard in the world, there a people who care. Have everyone choose a love affirmation stone to take home. 

*** Depending on your level of Shabbat observance, you could also have people make a homemade love stone with a quote they choose.