I feel lucky to live close to a synagogue, because I like the "special" on Rosh Hashanah. I like to hear the blasts of the Shofar. I like to see the Torah scrolls dressed in white. But I know that not everyone has this privilege. Regardless of whether you "Temple" or not, I believe that there are many, many ways to celebrate the Jewish New Year with joy. Food for the new year If you assume that three core concepts for Rosh Hashanah with young children are “round,” “sweet,” and “new,” come up with menus that emphasize those ideas. Think cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, little round … [Read more...]
How to Have a Fun Rosh Hashanah Dinner
If synagogue services are part of your Rosh Hashanah experience, you will have plenty of visual and auditory drama. The sound of the Shofar blast. The Torah scrolls dressed in white. The pews filled to capacity. New this year! Downloadable Rosh Hashanah Bingo Game - great fun for 2-year-olds to grandparents! You can also make your Rosh Hashanah dinner at home full of spectacle - and fun. Shofar blowing For the past several years, we have been using Bugles as pretend shofars (shofrot). Each year, our daughter gives us all a quick refresher on each type of shofar blast, then calls out for … [Read more...]
Countdown to Rosh Hashanah - 24 Days!
We are now just 24 days from Rosh Hashanah! If you like to have at-home fun with your kiddoes for the holiday, here are three easy ways to start planning: #1 Make Jewish New Year Cards with your kids Get a FREE download to do this here. #2 Browse Pinterest for cooking and craft ideas Check out our Rosh Hashanah PINTEREST page. #3 Buy a Rosh Hashanah Bingo game Help your kids (ages 2+) understand all the Rosh Hashanah symbols in a fun, quick-paced game, perfect even for pre-readers. Click here to download your copy. More ideas coming next week! … [Read more...]
The Dot - #JewishBookFun4Kids - #6
The Dot, written by Peter H. Reynolds, was a discovery for me that sparked an instant passion. Thanks to our reading specialist daughter, Laura Pajor, for knowing that I’d totally groove on the idea. And I’ve been saving it to share until before Rosh Hashanah, because there’s a great tie-in with the holiday. In this story, little Vashti was sitting glumly in art class, with a blank sheet of paper in front of her. She was sure that she could not draw. At first, her teacher tried to jolly her along. Then she said something that made all the difference: “Just make a mark and see where it … [Read more...]
The Treasure - #JewishBookFun4Kids - #5
"The Treasure" is itself a treasure - and a brilliant look at gratitude. Uri Shulevitz is a favorite author of mine. Short on copy. Long on meaning. Enhanced with magnificent illustrations. In true Shulevitz fashion, “The Treasure” starts simply, on a blank page, with just these words: “There once was a man and his name was Isaac.” Isaac was a poor man who was often hungry. In a dream, a voice told him to look for a treasure under a bridge in the big city. He walked and walked to get there, only to meet a guard who laughed at him and told him to go home, because he would just as likely … [Read more...]
