Passover family Seders provided the only fun we had that was Jewish. However, synagogue had nothing to do with it.
A lot has happened since then. I met my wife at a singles group held in an Orthodox synagogue. We did not start off frum, but we attended shul. Our children got a decent Jewish education. When they’d ask why we weren’t more observant, our answer was, “You’re right. We should be.” And eventually we decided to be. So far we have three grandchildren, and the two who are old enough attend a yeshiva.
So yes, children should attend shul – on all holidays and occasions, solemn as well as joyous. Life is full of them. And children should understand and appreciate that one learns in shul how to deal with both kinds.
Harold E. Warren
Poughkeepsie, NY