Thinking back to my childhood in Boston, I have happy memories of Rosh Hashanah. Yes, shul was longer than usual. But we got to hear the Shofar being blown, and found it hilarious when the Shofar sound didn’t come out right. We’d try to hold our breath during the final Tekiah Gedolah to see if we could last longer than the Shofar.  

At home we would enjoy festive meals. And every year we looked forward to the social scene of the year: Tashlich. The whole community would gather at Bullough’s Pond, throw our sins away, and then hang out with friends at the gala kiddush hosted by two shul families who lived across the street. 

I’m grateful that I have these memories. We want our children to see Judaism as joyful and to feel connected to community. But as they get older and learn more we also want them to realize that everything in Judaism has a deeper meaning, that it’s all about connecting us to God and to our purpose in life. 

Here are a few ideas parents can try at home to connect children of different ages to Rosh Hashanah in a way that is both joyful and meaningful: 

1. Shana Tova Cards 
Children can decorate beautiful New Year’s cards and write heartfelt messages to the people in their lives (family members, friends, neighbors or teachers). 

3. Simanim At The Table 
In addition to apples in honey, there are lots of other tasty and exotic foods (ex. pomegranates,  dates, beets…) that are traditionally eaten at the Rosh Hashanah meal. Each symbolic food represents something we hope for the new year. Spend time as a family talking about those hopes. 

5. Zichronot Memory Jar 
Before Rosh Hashanah, everyone in the family can take small slips of paper and write memories from the past year. Then grab a big jar (kids can decorate it) and put all the pieces of paper inside. At each Rosh Hashanah meal take out a memory and share why it was special. 

6. Tashlich 
On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, walk as a family to a nearby pond or stream and “throw away” your mistakes from the past year. Talk about how we all make mistakes, but our mistakes don’t define us. We can throw them away and hold onto the good inside us.