The Talmud teaches us that we must each recite at least 100 blessings a day. Doing so encourages us to live a life focused on gratitude and helps us truly appreciate all the good in our lives. This simple craft gives kids a tangible way to count these daily blessings and to see what 100 looks like. Plus, they have so much fun examining the beads, deciding which ones to choose, and then stringing them onto the pipe cleaners — ten beads each on ten pipe cleaners. Surprisingly, even the tiniest beads fit on the pipe cleaners, reminding us that we should say a blessing even for the seemingly smallest good things in our lives.

Hakarat Hatov is the Jewish value of GRATITUDE, and it literally means “recognizing the good.” Judaism teaches us to be vigilant about noticing the abundance of blessings that surround us. Knowing that a regular practice of gratitude is scientifically proven to make people happier should put a smile on your face, too! Teach your kiddos to notice all the things they’re thankful for starting at a young age. Making a Hakarat Hatov Jar will give them a tangible way to do just that! Give them a little pad of paper, and every time they see something they’re thankful for, they can draw a picture of it and put it in their special jar. Before they know it, their jars will be filled with all the good in their lives; and won’t that be wonderful!