YOUR HOLIDAY IS IN THE BAG! On Rosh Hashanah the Shofar, traditionally made from a SHOFAR hollowed-out rams horn, is blown to awake and inspire. In the Torah, the day we celebrate Rosh Hashanah is called Yom Teruah which means “day of the Shofar blast.” Look in your bag for instructions on how say the blessing for the shofar. Watch Rav Natan blow the shofar: https://tinyurl.com/natanshofar The shofar is very loud! If you don’t like loud noises, you can read a story about loud shofar sounds: www.tinyurl.com/loudshofar Tashlich is a ceremony usually performed on the afternoon of the TASHLICH first day of Rosh Hashanah. This year, the first day of Rosh Hashanah is Shabbat, so we observe Tashlich on the second day. During Tashlich, Jews symbolically cast off their sins by tossing fish food or bread crumbs into flowing water. Including kids in the Tashlich ceremony is a great way to build understanding about the ritual of saying “I’m sorry” and build a family tradition. Before the holiday begins, kids can write or draw an example of how they “missed the mark” on this paper and then dissolve it in any liquid. For more kid-friendly Tashlich activities: https://tinyurl.com/tashlichkids APPLES & HONEY Apples and honey: One of the most popular Rosh Hashanah customs involves eating apple slices dipped in honey, sometimes after saying a special prayer. Ancient Jews believed apples had healing properties, and the honey signifies the hope that the new year will be sweet. You’ll find the blessings for eating apples and honey in your bag. Where does honey come from? https://www.chabad.org/984713 GREETING CARDS On Rosh Hashanah, Jews greet one another in person with warm wishes for the new year: “Shana Tova” (Happy New Year) and “Chag Sameach” (Happy Holiday). There is also a long tradition of sending new years’ greetings through the mail. The tradition of sending Rosh Hashanah postal greetings probably dates to the 14th century, but it took off after the invention of postcards in the late 1860s. In your bag, you’ll find a pre-addressed, stamped card for your family to send to a CEH congregant. Mail it right away so your recipient receives it before the holiday! BIRTHDAY OF THE WORLD Rosh Hashanah is Hebrew for “the head of the year.” But Rosh Hashanah celebrates both the new Jewish year and the birthday of the world. Just like our own birthdays, we celebrate Rosh Hashanah with family and friends. We also eat sweet foods and say thank you for the good things in our world. You can also use this squishy ball to find all of the places that Jewish people live in the world. Can you find Israel, the Jewish homeland? JONAH AND THE BIG FISH We read the book of Jonah on as our Haftarah on Yom Kippur. The story of Jonah and the Big Fish (often interpreted as a whale) reminds of God’s power and mercy. It also reminds us that every day we have the chance to do better and be better. The story of Jonah is in your bag and you can act out the story with your own Jonah figure. Watch a musical video about Jonah: https://tinyurl.com/jonahandw HAVDALAH Many families are familiar with the Havdalah ceremony, which marks the separation between Shabbat and the rest of the week. We also observe Havdalah at the conclusion of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. You’ll find a glow stick inside your bag for children to celebrate Havdalah without dangerous flames and hot wax. Learn all about Havdalah: https://pjlibrary.org/havdalah OTHER RESOURCES Check out these websites for other great High Holiday resources: https://pjlibrary.org/rosh-hashanah https://www.jgateways.org/Resources/High-Holiday https://www.bimbam.com/ .