Written by: Dinah Berch, guest blogger, updated 9/4/24
The holidays are right around the corner – just after the first few days of school – and I’m in full planning mode. Who needs to be where when? What do we need to wear? What are we going to eat? How do I keep my children quiet and busy while also teaching them to love the holidays AND understand what we’re celebrating? And there’s the added pressure of knowing my kids may be the only Jews in their class. How do I show them this season is wonderful and important?
So here’s my cheat-sheet. What we’re doing, what we’re baking, what we’re reading. Here’s the list I wish someone would have handed to me. I have a four-year-old and a seven-year-old but I’m hoping that children of all ages, from birth to 105, will find something fun in this list. Enjoy and Shana Tova from the Berch Family!
| Services for Kids 2024
Children are always welcome in our sanctuary and can join their parents in the adult service at any time. “Busy bags” and children’s books are located in the rear lefthand corner of the sanctuary. The Temple library also offers a place for quiet play if children need a break during services. Babysitting will be available in the preschool classroom for children ages 2-5 and supervised quiet activities will be available in a second classroom for children ages 6-10 (pre-registration required) at all services except for Erev Rosh Hashanah. Temple Israel will offer a Preschool Story Time for children aged 2-5 and their parents and siblings on the first day of Rosh Hashanah at 11am, led by Dinah Berch (me!) in the Preschool classroom. If your children are joining us for babysitting, they’ll be included in the story time! You’re welcome to join them too but not required. Youth Service on the first day of Rosh Hashanah is from 10:15am-11:30am in the Social Hall, led by Ilene Kanoff. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children if bringing a child in First grade or younger. New this year (2024), Reb Beni Summers (our rabbinic intern) will lead programs specifically designed for teens: a musical morning program for teens on Rosh Hashanah day 1, 9:30-10:30 am; After a break to participate in the Rosh Hashanah shofar service, he will lead a mini-musaf experience on Rosh Hashanah day 1, 12–12:30 pm. During Kol Nidre services, he will lead a teen program 6:15-7:15 pm. On Yom Kippur, he will lead an experiential program for teens 10–11:30 am. And finally, during Neilah on Yom Kippur, Reb Beni will lead a teen group in the library 5:45-6:30 pm. Tashlich will be offered on Thursday, October 3rd three times: at 1:15 pm in Prescott Park, Portsmouth; 3:30 pm, Swasey Park (Boat Launch), Exeter; and 3:30 pm, Henry Law Park, Dover. See the temple website for more information or for the complete schedule.
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Books
We adore all of the books PJ Library sends us ever year, but some of our favorites (and go-tos for sharing in class or loaning to teachers) are Sammy Spider’s Rosh HaShanah by Sylvia A. Rouss and New Year at the Pier by April Halprin Wayland. A few of my new favorites for 2024 include Happy ‘Roo Year by Jessica Hickman and Two New Years by Richard Ho.
For more book suggestions check out PJ Library’s recommendations.
Video
In our house, Shaboom, a YouTube channel with cartoons for families raising Jewish kids, is a staple for Jewish holiday entertainment. Check out the Rosh HaShanah Special.
Music
Don’t miss Six13’s High Holiday Mashup or The Maccabeats singing Bashana Haba’a. PJ Library offers a hub for all things audio, including a Rosh Hashanah Spotify Playlist and kid-friendly Jewish podcasts!
Rosh HaShanah 2018
Crafts
When Kira was born we accidentally started a tradition of dressing the kids in their holiday clothes before the holidays (to make sure everything fits) and posing them with apples, honey and our shofars. The photos make hilarious and wonderful holiday cards
These ideas for a children’s version of Tashlich (when we cast our sins into the water) might have to be added to our list this year. Or possibly Jewish Boston’s idea for Tashlich Nature Pouches. 18Doors offers some cute ideas also – as well as blogs for parenting during the holidays.
Gateways offers High Holiday Blessings with Picture Communication Symbols which are perfect for kids.
Pro Tip – save the High Holiday cards you receive and hang them in your sukkah or around your house during the upcoming fall festivals!
Games
ShirLala’s Blog Sameach introduced me to Shofar “Red Light, Green Light”: The participants line up on one side of the room. The leader calls out the different shofar calls (“Tekiah!”) For each shofar call, the children take a certain number of small steps forward. For Tekiah – 1 step. For Shevarim – 3 steps. For Teruah – 9 baby steps forward. For Tekiah G’dolah – Run for it! First one to the leader wins.
Recipes
My go-tos for Jewish Recipes are usually The Nosher or the Facebook group Modern Jewish Baker Challenge but lately I’ve been salivating over the amazing recipes over at JewishSeacoast.com. My meals will likely also include Jamie Geller’s Apple Cider Chicken or her Pomegranate Sumac Salmon. Believe it or not, my kids have eaten both.
My favorite “traditional” honey cake is this one – but my family adds a chocolate brandy frosting. If I want to show off though, I make this apple braid. My kids love helping with the braiding and frosting.
Did you know you can turn to the Temple’s website for some great recipes? Check out www.templeisraelnh.org/recipes/. Got a recipe to share? Send it to me to add to our website and/or share it on our Facebook group, Temple Israel Chaverim!
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Other Resources
PJ Library offers a “2022 Quick Guide to Celebrating Rosh Hashanah with Kids” divided by age group! And don’t miss PJ Library’s Family Guide to the Holidays.
Did I miss any of your favorite links or resources? Send them to me at webmaster@templeisraelnh.org or share them on our community Facebook group, Temple Israel Chaverim! I’d love to see all of your challot and other new year’s crafts and goodies!
Shana Tova!
Dinah Berch is Temple Israel’s volunteer ShulCloud administrator and webmaster. She lives in Dover with her husband Joshua, their two kids, and Dzaya the cat. She works as the Program Coordinator for the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire and PJ Library – New Hampshire.
Read Part 2: Celebrating High Holidays with Kids: Yom Kippur
