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