The Jewish Grandparents Network — which educates, connects and supports grandparents as partners in enriching Jewish life across generations — will host Learning Fest 2026 on Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. It is the first global convening for Jewish grandparents to learn from experts and each other.

The virtual gathering includes sessions on 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 keeper of stories and a bridge between the past and future,” said Debra “Debs” Weinberg, executive director of the network and a Baltimore native. “At the same time, many families have complicated dynamics, and the world today is also complicated. Learning Fest 2026 will help grandparents navigate these challenges, connect with each other for support, and feel valued.

“We’re excited to share knowledge and tools to build strong Jewish families and a brighter Jewish future.”

Many grandparents will connect to the event and each other on Zoom. Others will join in person through local communities around the country at “watch parties.”

Keynote speaker is Dr. Becky Kennedy, also known as “Dr. Becky,” a clinical psychologist, mom of three, popular podcaster, social media megastat and CEO of Good Inside.

With interviewer Leah Kahn, VP of Jewish Education at Assembly, Dr. Becky will explore 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.

In addition to interest-based small group breakouts, expert-led sessions include:

– At a Distance: Practical and Meaningful Ways to Build Relationships with Grandchildren Who Live Far Away; Kerry Byrne, PhD, Founder of The Long Distance Grandparent
– When Grandparents Get Canceled (and What to Do About It); Rachel Haack, LMFT is 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 & 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 (she/her), Keshet’s Florida Education and Training Manager

Register for the Jewish Grandparents Network Learning Fest 2026, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. by Jan 19 at jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/learningfest