Sock puppet project benefits children

DANBURY — For several years, the Greater Danbury Section of the National Council of Jewish Women has been involved in projects meant to educate the community that domestic violence and sexual abuse cannot be tolerated.

Five years ago, the council helped create the Connecticut Silent Witness Exhibit. A year ago, they started a "puppet project,” as a supplement to the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury’s children’s education program, "Good Touch/Bad Touch.”

In that program, Women’s Center staff use Muppet-style puppets to teach children concepts that they might have trouble understanding without visual aids.

To augment the program, NCJW members made sock puppets that the students can use to interact during the presentations.

The idea for the sock puppet project started with an eighth grade United Jewish Center religion class.

It has been so successful that this year, members will make the puppets again.

On Monday at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Federation office at 105 Newtown Road NCJW members and any women interested in the project and wishing to join the section are invited to attend a puppet-making workshop.

UJC congregants also are planning to make some puppets as part of their annual Mitzvah Day.

"It’s a great project, and it’s ongoing because the need is there,” said NCJW member and project coordinator Patti Cohen-Hecht.