'Rosh Hashanah' Early Years (EYFS/Preschool) activities & ideas (FREE and PREMIUM). — Little Owls Resources

Rosh Hashanah - EYFS/Early Years activities, Displays and ideas

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Wed 2nd – Fri 4th October 2024 - Jewish New Year

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An overview of Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, one of the most important holidays in Judaism. It typically occurs in early fall, on the first and second days of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar (usually in September or October). The holiday marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, leading up to Yom Kippur.

Key Aspects of Rosh Hashanah:

1. Spiritual Significance:

Rosh Hashanah is considered the anniversary of the creation of the world, or more specifically, the creation of Adam and Eve. It is a time of renewal and reflection on the past year, as well as a chance to make resolutions for the coming year.
It is also known as the Day of Judgment, where God is said to review the deeds of every individual over the past year and inscribe their fate in the Book of Life or the Book of Death, which will be sealed on Yom Kippur.

2. Blowing of the Shofar:

One of the most important rituals is the blowing of the shofar, a ram's horn, which serves as a call to repentance and spiritual awakening. The sound of the shofar is meant to inspire reflection and introspection.

3. Prayers and Services:

Special prayers are recited during Rosh Hashanah, including the Amidah and the Unetaneh Tokef, which emphasises God's judgment and mercy.
The holiday includes extended synagogue services, focusing on themes of repentance, sovereignty of God, and hope for the new year.

4. Customs and Traditions:

Tashlich: A symbolic practice where people go to a body of water and cast bread crumbs or small objects into it, representing the casting away of sins.
Eating Sweet Foods: Traditional foods include apples dipped in honey, symbolising the hope for a sweet new year. Other symbolic foods are eaten, such as round challah bread (symbolising the cycle of the year) and pomegranates (symbolising abundance and fruitfulness).

5. Themes of Reflection and Renewal:

Rosh Hashanah is a time for personal introspection, mending relationships, and seeking forgiveness for wrongdoings from both God and others. It serves as the beginning of a period of deep spiritual contemplation leading up to Yom Kippur.

Significance:

Rosh Hashanah is both solemn and joyful, blending themes of judgment with hope for renewal and forgiveness. It sets the spiritual tone for the year ahead and is a time for individuals to engage in self-improvement and realignment with Jewish values.