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Each year the start of our preschool year coincides with the celebration of Rosh
Hashanah, the beginning of a ten day period of reflection and introspection that ends with Yom Kippur, the solemn day of repentance. We want to share with you some of the ways in which your children will be learning about these holidays. During these High Holy Days, Jews reflect on the previous year and plan for the New Year. Rosh Hashanah is referred to as the birthday of the world, and in preschool we relate Rosh Hashanah to the fresh, new start of school and to the children’s birthdays which cycle around each year, marking the beginning of a new age and new experiences for them. One of the symbols of Rosh Hashanah that is introduced is the shofar or ram’s horn. The children will listen to Rabbi Weisblatt blow the shofar and will try to imitate the different sounds: loud and soft, long and short. It is customary during Rosh Hashanah to wish friends and family a sweet or good new year (“Shana Tovah”). The sweetness of the New Year is celebrated by eating honey cake and apples dipped in honey. During Rosh Hashanah challah is baked in a round shape with raisins on top, the round shape symbolizing the cycle of the year. We will also be sharing these foods in our classrooms. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a day when Jews ask forgiveness for wrongs committed against God and others. In preschool we talk about saying “I’m sorry” when we have hurt someone else, made them feel angry or sad. And we practice good ways to handle our disagreements and make others feel better. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur teach the children that everyone makes mistakes, and that we will always have the opportunity to learn to do better. A few of the songs the children will be singing: Dip the Apples (Clementine) Dip the apples in the honey Blow the shofar loud and clear Shana Tovah, Shana Tovah Have a happy sweet New Year. Apples and Honey Apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah Apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah For a good, good year, For a sweet, sweet year. Apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah. I Like to Hear the Shofar Blast I like to hear the shofar blast Sometimes slow and sometimes fast! I like to hear the shofar blast Happy, happy, happy new year! 1. T‘ki-ah-------- 2. Sh‘va-rim-------- 3. T‘ru-ah ---- Wishing you a happy and sweet new year, Sara, Sandy, Shelley, Jennifer, Jeanne, Morgan, Jill, and Bonnie
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When my kids and I went for a walk yesterday we crunched through some fallen leaves. The grocery store is filled with mums and pumpkins, the air is getting cooler (or it was for a few days there), and the back to school sales are over...all signs that fall is coming. Along with fall come some very big transitions for children, namely going to school and heading off without mom and dad, some for the first time. It can be a hard time for them, and us parents too. With the first day of classes at Temple Ohav Shalom Center for Early Learning happening in a few days, I wanted to share some strategies to make your child’s (and your) transition a little easier.
We’ve got this, parents! We are excited to get to know you and your children and are looking forward to a great year of learning, exploring, and having fun. |
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