Hey there, parents and educators! We’re about to embark on a fantastic journey through the Jewish month of Tishrei, and it’s going to be a blast! Why is it important? Well, let’s dive right in and find out!
Why Tishrei? Why Now?
First things first, kiddos need to understand that the Jewish New Year doesn’t start with fireworks and countdowns in January. Nope, it’s way cooler than that! Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, kicks off in the fall, usually in September or October. By teaching our young ones about the significance of Tishrei, we help them grasp that the world is filled with diverse traditions and calendars. It’s all about broadening those horizons!
Let’s Meet the Stars of Tishrei
Now, onto the stars of the show! We’ve got Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah. These holidays are like the Avengers of Tishrei – each with its own superpowers!
Rosh Hashanah: Imagine blowing a horn made from a ram’s horn (called a shofar) and dipping apples in honey for a sweet year ahead. That’s Rosh Hashanah! It’s like the ultimate kickoff party for the Jewish year. Is it also the day of judgment, Yom HaDin, when God decides what the rest of our year is going to look like.
Yom Kippur: This one’s all about hitting the “reset” button on your life. It’s a day of reflection and fasting, a time to say, “Oops, my bad, I’ll do better next year!” It’s like a personal superhero transformation.
Sukkot: Time to build your very own fort! Well, kinda. Sukkot is when we build a temporary outdoor hut, a Sukkah, and eat our meals inside. It’s like camping in your backyard with a purpose. We also invite guests, Ushpizin, to celebrate with us.
Simchat Torah: Ever seen a bunch of people dancing with giant scrolls? That’s Simchat Torah! We celebrate the completion of the Torah and start reading it all over again. In some communities they even open up the entire Torah scroll while the entire congregation stands in the circle to hold it up together.
Meet the Underdogs: Gedalia Fast, Hoshana Raba, and Smini Atzeret
Now, let’s give a shout out to the underdogs: Gedalia Fast, Hoshana Raba, and Smini Atzeret. These holidays might not be as famous as the others, but they have their own importance.
Gedalia Fast: This fast day remembers a brave leader, Gedaliah ben Ahikam, and his untimely end. He was assassinated after the destruction of the first temple.
Hoshana Raba: Imagine making a circle around the synagogue with willow branches. That’s Hoshana Raba! It’s like nature’s parade. We use the willows left from Sukkot.
Shemini Atzeret: Ever heard of a “just because” holiday? Shemini Atzeret is that! It’s a bonus day, a little extra time to savor the holiday season. In Israel, it is celebrated on the same day as Simchat Torah.
Fun and Games Time
We’ve got some interactive goodies to make learning even more fun:
Tishrei Holidays Crossword Puzzle: A little brain workout never hurts! Let’s practice writing Hebrew script and test our knowledge with a cool crossword puzzle.
Online Games Extravaganza: Want to sum up everything you’ve learned? We’ve got online games that’ll do just that! It’s the ultimate Tishrei holidays challenge. In the first one the student will need to unscramble the tiles (these are the wrong dates in the picture!), and in the second game the player has to Match Tishrei Holiday to Item. Both games have a Hebrew version for advanced learners!
Click to Play
Click to Play in Hebrew
