🍎 Rosh Hashanah רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה
September or early October Ages 4–11
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year — a time to celebrate, think about the year that passed and make good plans for the year ahead.
💬 Say: Shanah Tovah! — Have a good year!
📅 When is Rosh Hashanah?
| 2026 | Begins at sundown on Fri, Sep 11, 2026 · ends at nightfall on Sun, Sep 13, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Begins at sundown on Fri, Oct 1, 2027 · ends at nightfall on Sun, Oct 3, 2027 |
| 2028 | Begins at sundown on Wed, Sep 20, 2028 · ends at nightfall on Fri, Sep 22, 2028 |
Jewish days begin at sundown. Dates follow the calendar used outside Israel; some holidays are a day shorter in Israel.
📖 The story
Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year." Jewish tradition says it is the birthday of the world. It begins the Ten Days of Awe (the High Holy Days), which end with Yom Kippur.
The most important sound of the holiday is the shofar — a horn, usually from a ram. In the synagogue it is blown 100 times in special patterns: tekiah (one long blast), shevarim (three short blasts) and teruah (nine quick blasts). The sound is like an alarm clock for the heart: wake up and be your best self!
At home, families eat apples dipped in honey and wish each other a sweet new year. The challah bread is round, like a circle, because the year goes round and round. Some families also eat pomegranates, hoping their good deeds will be as many as its seeds.
✨ How we celebrate
- Hearing the shofar in synagogue
- Dipping apples in honey
- Eating a round challah
- Tashlich: tossing bread crumbs into flowing water to symbolize "throwing away" mistakes
- Sending New Year cards
🔤 Hebrew words to learn
| shofar | שׁוֹפָר |
| apple | תַּפּוּחַ |
| honey | דְּבַשׁ |
| year | שָׁנָה |
🙏 A blessing: Welcoming this season
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
Say it: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, shehecheyanu vekiyemanu vehigianu lazman hazeh.
It means: Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this time.
Said at the arrival of the festival; follow your family or community practice.
✂️ Crafts & activities
Paper-Plate Apple and Honey Pot
You need: Paper plate, Red and yellow paint or markers, Green paper, Glue stick
- Paint the paper plate red like an apple.
- Cut a stem and leaf from green paper and glue them on top.
- On the back, write a wish for a sweet new year for your family.
Shanah Tovah Card
You need: Folded cardstock, Crayons, Stickers
- Draw an apple, honey jar or shofar on the front.
- Inside write "Shanah Tovah!" and one good wish.
- Give it to a grandparent, teacher or neighbor.
🖍️ Rosh Hashanah coloring pages
Rosh Hashanah quiz
What does "Rosh Hashanah" mean?
Which instrument is blown on Rosh Hashanah?
Why do we dip apples in honey?
Why is the Rosh Hashanah challah round?
Which holiday comes ten days after Rosh Hashanah?
💭 Let’s talk
What is one thing you want to do better this year?
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