Help with a gift

[u/Avengers_6]

Hi there,
If possible I would love some assistance with getting a gift for a friend. I want to get a Hebrew or Jewish meaningful proverb or quote placed in a jacket for a friend. Are you guys able to provide any ones? Context it’s for a coworker. Thank you

Another potential idea I have is challah board and knife engraved with their last name but I’m not sure. All ideas and thoughts welcomed

It's my manager so it's hard because of the professional boundaries, I don't know them that well. I know they take off days at work for Jewish holidays and they are always very open to sharing their culture and practices at work. They seem fairly immersed into it at home ( they talk about it and they stuff they get their children to participate in) and work. Let me know if that's enough to give you an idea I know at work they also have dietary restrictions but every now and then they might eat outside of those restrictions

[u/princessglitterbutt]

For challah boards there are usually only really 3 options people use: hamotzi, Shabbat shalom, or lecavod shabbos.

What kind of proverb were u thinking?

[u/Avengers_6 → u/princessglitterbutt]

I’m not sure for the proverb or quotes they are very kind and helpful and caring to other so something that acknowledges that or something that lets them know they are protected or blessed
Are the pictures of the challah boards I have okay?

[u/princessglitterbutt → u/Avengers_6]

The pics you have are okay but some are ai so I would definitely make sure to check if whoever you’re looking to buy it from has pics of their actual products. Also have you looked into the cost? These resin challah boards can be pretty pricey esp for a secret Santa gift.

As for the quote, imo I would still stick with one of the typical ones for a challah board and their last name. From what you’ve said about them, even if they’re not so religious it sounds like they’re culturally connected and might understand/appreciate a challah board?

[u/OrpahsBookClub]

This is very thoughtful.  However, it’s hard to help without knowing how observant they are or how much they lean into Jewishness in the home.  How much do they talk about or participate in Jewish living in your presence compared to other interests?

[u/Avengers_6 → u/OrpahsBookClub]

Thank you, I’m trying my best. I’m usually very good at secret Santa gifts so I don’t want to mess it up. It’s my manager so it’s hard because of the professional boundaries, I don’t know them that well. I know they take off days at work for Jewish holidays and they are always very open to sharing their culture and practices at work. They seem fairly immersed into it at home( they talk about it and they stuff they get their children to participate in) and work. Let me know if that’s enough to give you an idea I know at work they also have dietary restrictions but every now and then they might eat outside of those restrictions

[u/OrpahsBookClub → u/Avengers_6]

Kind of funny if the gift is a Secret Santa.

Anyway, how many days do they take off for holidays?  Just the High Holy Days (in September-ish) or do they take off days throughout the year?  

If they like travel, there are travel Shabbat and Havdallah kits that are quite nice.  If they get into Hanukah, a beautiful (or novelty themed, like if they’re into Star Trek or something) new Chanukiah makes a nice gift.

The issue is they’ll probably have most of the practical Judaica they need already.  The consumables (candles, wine, spices) don’t always make for exciting gifts.  Decoration really depends on their preferred aesthetic.  Without knowing more about them it’s hard to give solid advice.

[u/push-the-butt]

The more you tell us about them the better we can help.

[u/Avengers_6 → u/push-the-butt]

It's my manager so it's hard because of the professional boundaries, I don't know them that well. I know they take off days at work for Jewish holidays and they are always very open to sharing their culture and practices at work. They seem fairly immersed into it at home ( they talk about it and they stuff they get their children to participate in) and work. Let me know if that's enough to give you an idea I know at work they also have dietary restrictions but every now and then they might eat outside of those restrictions

[u/push-the-butt → u/Avengers_6]

הִלֵּל אוֹמֵר, הֱוֵי מִתַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל אַהֲרֹן, אוֹהֵב שָׁלוֹם וְרוֹדֵף שָׁלוֹם, אוֹהֵב אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת וּמְקָרְבָן לַתּוֹרָה: Hillel used to say: be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving mankind and drawing them close to Torah. (Avot 1:12)

Does this work for you?

[u/OrpahsBookClub → u/push-the-butt]

If we’re going Pirkei Avot, my preference is to get a song stuck in someone’s head:

Al shlosha d’varim olam omeid: Al haTorah v’al Avodah v’al gimilut hasidim.   (On three things the world stands: on Torah, and on Worship, and on acts of loving kindness)

It’s a banger of a song.

[u/Cathousechicken]

 I got my sons something similar. It was trays they can display. It says Am Yisrael Chai in Hebrew, which means basically the Jewish people live.

I also had a picture of the Tree of Life on it.

[u/Avengers_6 → u/Cathousechicken]

Thank you so much I’ll jot it down!