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Fun and Meaningful Activities

To whatever degree your family is planning to attend synagogue services during the High Holy Days, there are some great non-synagogue-based activities for the High Holy Days. For example:

• 18Doors has great ideas for having fun with your family during the High Holy Days.
• Earlier in this guide we talked about the fun ceremony called Tashlich—this can be especially fun for very young kids.
• JewishBoston.com has 10 activities for meaningful High Holy Days with kids, which you can find here.
• Temple Emanu-El of New York City has a great one-page printable download of a “Mitzvah Checklist” that kids and parents can each use. A mitzvah is a good or righteous action, and their worksheet offers a fun family project that doesn’t take much time but is likely to spark good conversations about the meaning of these holidays.
• Kveller.com offers ideas for all-ages fun activities, including apple-picking, honey tasting and an arts & crafts project.

For younger kids, there are some wonderful children’s books that gently and beautifully teach some of the best values of the High Holy Days (like accepting that we all make mistakes, and learning about the healing power of forgiveness, etc.). Some of these books are very universal in their language choices, as well. We have our own recommendations here.

For another great list of children’s books about the themes and customs of the High Holy Days, try this list.

Another great resource for parents is PJ Library. You can check out their many recommended book and music titles here. PJ Library also offers a free book and CD subscription service for families with young kids. You sign up and then get a new book or CD each month, along with companion materials. If this sounds interesting, visit them at www.pjlibrary.org.

Return to the Guide to the High Holy Days or view as a PDF.