Celebrating Rosh Hashanah: Traditions, Food, and Family Activities

Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year, is a significant and joyous occasion celebrated by Jewish communities around the world. It marks the beginning of the High Holy Days and is a time for introspection, renewal, and hope for the upcoming year. In this blog, we will explore what Rosh Hashanah is, family traditions in Israel and worldwide, traditional foods, and engaging hands-on activities for kids.

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah, translated as “head of the year” in Hebrew, is a two-day celebration that typically falls in September or October on the Gregorian calendar. It is based on the lunar calendar and commemorates the creation of the world and God’s kingship. During Rosh Hashanah, Jewish people reflect on their actions from the past year, seek forgiveness, and make resolutions for self-improvement in the coming year.

Family Traditions in Israel

In Israel, Rosh Hashanah is a time for family gatherings and religious observance. Families attend synagogue services, engage in communal prayers, and hear the sounding of the shofar, a ram’s horn, symbolizing awakening and repentance. Traditional foods like apples dipped in honey are served, symbolizing a sweet and fruitful year ahead. Families also engage in Tashlich, a ritual of symbolically casting away their sins into flowing water.

Family Traditions Worldwide

Family traditions for Rosh Hashanah vary across the globe. In addition to prayers and festive meals, many families light candles, recite blessings, and share stories and reflections on the significance of the holiday. Tzedakah, acts of charity and giving, are common, emphasizing the importance of helping those in need and starting the new year on a positive note.

Traditional Foods

Rosh Hashanah meals feature a variety of traditional foods with symbolic meanings. Some common foods include:

• Apples and Honey: Symbolizing a sweet and fruitful year.
• Challah: A special braided bread symbolizing continuity and unity.
• Pomegranates: Representing abundance and fertility.
• Fish: Signifying prosperity and a year of plenty.
• Honey Cake: Another sweet treat for a sweet year.

Hands-on Activities for Kids

Engage children in the spirit of Rosh Hashanah with these fun and educational hands-on activities:

1. Apple Printing:

Have kids dip halved apples in paint and stamp them onto paper to create beautiful apple prints, symbolizing a sweet year.

2. Shofar Craft:

Help children make their own shofar using paper rolls, paint, and ribbon. Teach them about the significance of the shofar in Rosh Hashanah traditions.

3. New Year’s Resolutions:

Encourage kids to write or draw their resolutions on colorful cards and decorate them. Discuss the importance of setting positive intentions for the coming year.

4. Honey Cake Decorating:

Let children decorate mini honey cakes with various toppings like nuts, fruits, and sprinkles, reinforcing the theme of a sweet year.

5. Pomegranate Art:

Provide paints and paper for children to create artwork inspired by pomegranates, emphasizing abundance and growth.

6. Challah Baking:

Involve kids in the process of making challah, allowing them to braid the dough and learn about the symbolic significance of this traditional bread.

7. Tashlich Activity:

If possible, take a family trip to a nearby body of water and participate in a symbolic Tashlich ceremony, reflecting on the past year and letting go of negative thoughts.

8. Rosh Hashanah Storytime:

Read age-appropriate Rosh Hashanah stories to children, discussing the themes and lessons associated with the holiday.

9. Family Time Capsule:

Have each family member write or draw their hopes and aspirations for the year ahead, then seal them in a time capsule to be opened and reflected upon next Rosh Hashanah.

10. Community Service Project:

Encourage children to participate in a family community service project, such as collecting items for a local food bank, emphasizing the value of giving back.

11. Rosh Hashanah Greeting Cards:

Provide children with colorful cardstock, markers, stickers, and glitter to create personalized Rosh Hashanah greeting cards. They can draw symbols like apples, honey, shofars, and pomegranates, along with heartfelt messages for loved ones.

12. Apple and Honey Mobiles:

Cut out apple shapes from red construction paper and let kids decorate them with honey-colored paint or glitter. Attach strings to each apple and create a mobile to hang and display the sweet symbolism of the holiday.

13. Family Tree of Blessings:

Have children draw and cut out a tree shape on a large poster or cardboard. They can write blessings, wishes, and things they are thankful for on leaves, then attach them to the tree, symbolizing growth and abundance in the new year.

14. Rosh Hashanah Crown:

Provide children with plain paper crowns and art supplies to decorate them with symbols and messages related to Rosh Hashanah. Encourage them to wear these during the celebrations, creating a festive atmosphere.

15. Creation Collage:

Help children create a collage representing the beauty of creation using images from magazines, colored paper, and art materials. Discuss the concept of creation in relation to Rosh Hashanah.

16. Honeycomb Art:

Using hexagonal paper cutouts, children can create their own honeycomb designs using yellow and brown markers or paint. This reinforces the sweetness of the new year symbolized by honey.

17. Shofar Nameplates:

Provide children with plain nameplates or cardboard. Let them paint and decorate their nameplates with shofar designs, incorporating their names or positive words for the new year.

18. Sweet Fruit Puppets:

Have children design and craft puppets resembling various fruits associated with Rosh Hashanah, such as apples, pomegranates, or grapes, using craft sticks, felt, and googly eyes.

19. Paper Plate Shofar:

Help children paint and decorate paper plates to resemble shofars. They can cut and roll colorful paper to create the shofar’s horn.

20. Rosh Hashanah Place Cards:

Provide children with folded cards or popsicle sticks and guide them to create decorative place cards for the Rosh Hashanah table, adding a personalized touch to the festive meal.

These arts and crafts activities are not only entertaining but also educational, allowing children to learn about the symbolism and traditions of Rosh Hashanah while expressing their creativity. Enjoy the celebrations and have a meaningful and creative Rosh Hashanah!

Rosh Hashanah is a time of joy, reflection, and connection for families. Engaging in these activities and traditions can deepen the understanding and appreciation of this important holiday. Wishing you and your family a happy and sweet new year!