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Below find an annotated collection of educational resources about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur divided into categories. These categories were chosen because of their practical value for Jewish educators. If you think that there is a category or link missing, please click here. |
Instructional resources
A Teshuva discussion guide on
The Lookstein Center
website explores the Jewish approach to repentance, drawing on Rambam’s Hilchot Teshuvah. Included are hands-on activities for younger and older students that deal with guilt and apology. By Moshe Goodman.
CAJE provides a list of possible ideas to teach Rosh Hashanah in the early childhood/elementary school classroom.
Children’s Literature, the website that critically reviews more than 4,000 children’s books annually, has a section on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The books reviewed are published by both Jewish and general publishing houses.
Moshe Goodman's guide on
The Lookstein Center's website
explores common feelings that are felt by children (and adults) during Yom Kippur davening in an open and non-judgmental way. Feelings include: boredom, confidence, guilt, happiness, nervousness, and sadness.
JECC has uploaded a sample of its updated early childhood curriculum, "Fingerprints: Discovering Jewish Life". The sample has two comprehensive units (one on Rosh Hashana, and one on Birthdays) which include background information, texts, discussions on holiday values and themes, and detailed activities. The curriculum meets Ohio Early Learning Content Standards.
The Jewish Agency website includes classroom activities and discussion points for Rosh Hashanah. For elementary through high school.
The Jewish Agency website includes classroom activities and discussion points for Aseret Yemei Teshuva. For elementary through high school.
The Jewish Agency website includes classroom activities and discussion points for Yom Kippur. For elementary through high school.
The Rosh Hashanah Penny Postcard curriculum provides a creative way to explore American Jewish history and Rosh Hashanah. Hosted on the website of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington. Appropriate for middle School.
Outline of a Rosh Hashanah fair for elementary school students by Michal Marks. Each station contains an activity that relates to the rituals and prayers of the holiday. Hosted on the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation site.
The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation website hosts a listserv on Jewish education. This thread contains valuable suggestions for enhancing children’s services on the High Holidays.
“The Kohen Training Center”, on the JWIT site is a webquest for high school students by Naphtali Hoff that deals with the service performed by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) in the Bais HaMikdash (Temple) on Yom Kippur. The avodah is described in Mussaf of Yom Kippur.
Lookstein.org
hosts “Sefer Yonah”, a lesson plan for high school students written by Moshe Abelesz that explores the argument between Yonah and God.
Noam Zion wrote a family Rosh Hashanah seder hosted on Lookstein.org that explores the Rosh Hashanah customs of Jews worldwide. The seder includes a set of modern Jewish texts that deal with critical self-reflection.
This lesson on Morim.org for elementary and middle school students looks at the concept of “heshbon haNefesh” (taking stock) that is associated with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by reading a short story.
TorahLab provides a sourcesheet and teacher’s guide which trace the historical and theological basis of Elul using classical texts in Hebrew with English translations. Appropriate for high school.
These activities for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for early childhood students are simple to implement and focus on the theme of reflection. From a newsletter by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
Arts and Crafts Aish HaTorah hosts a selection of black and white coloring sheets that are available for downloading and printing.
Akhlah, the Jewish Children’s Learning Network, has a page dedicated to a variety of Rosh Hashanah arts and crafts projects. Step-by-step instructions and illustrations.
The Holiday Spot has several activities for Rosh Hashanah plus easy-to-read information about the holiday for children.
Black and white coloring pages with Rosh Hashanahh scenes are available to download and print from the Shema Yisrael Torah Network.
Torah Tots provides a selection of coloring pages for young children.
Multimedia for the Classroom A collection of movie recommendations about teshuva/repentance are available from the Lookjed list.
This is a short discussion starter from Aish HaTorah about the challenges people face saying, "I'm sorry". Appropriate for grades 6-12.
This is a short, punchy, intense, probing rap from Aish HaTorah with a message about how we use our time. The lyrics appear on-screen, making it easy to follow. Appropriate for grades 9-12.
A one minute, cute, animated film with a light touch from Aish HaTorah. It has a meaningful message about self-improvement that can be used year-round, but especially for Rosh Hashanah-Yom Kippur. Teachers can easily build follow-up activities. Appropriate for grades 6-12.
A cute, short film for the high holidays from Aish HaTorah. A great discussion starter. Grades 6-12.
This short film from Aish HaTorah addresses a heavy topic, "What does God want from us?", but it is not a heavy film. Depending on the population, it can spark interesting discussion about prioritizing being a good person and being a good Jew. Grades 7-12.
This is a fast paced, in your face, short film for grades 10-12. It poses ultimate challenges to a post-modern generation. Be prepared for serious processing afterward. From Jewish Impact Films.
This film was circulated widely via e-mail before this past Rosh Hashanahh. It's message is fairly simple. Grades 6-12. From Jewish Impact Films.
Billy Ray Sheet’s song and cute animation about shule on Yom Kippur asks lots of questions, but offers simplistic answers. Teachers can use it as a springboard to address the questions their students may be asking. Grades 5-9. Hosted on YouTube.
This humorous film addresses the question of asking for forgiveness. It's enjoyable to watch, and can be used as a great discussion starter. Grades 7-12. From YouTube.
This clip from the show “Entourage” has offensive language, but addresses very real issues of personal integrity. Kids may relate very well, but teachers should view this first to decide if they want to show it. From YouTube.
Uriel Simon discusses Sefer Yonah in this article excerpted from the book The JPS Biblical Commentary: Jonah and is hosted on MyJewishLearning.
The Orthodox Union website includes basic and advanced articles, audio lectures and video lectures on Rosh Hashanah.
The Orthodox Union website includes basic and advanced articles on Yom Kippur. Some audio lectures as well.
Tanach.org has a collection of articles by Rabbi Menachem Leibtag on themes of the high holidays.
Selichot (Minhag Chabad) are online at Chabad.org
Rambam Hilkhot Shofar are available on Mechon Mamre.
Rambam Hilkhot Teshuva are available on Mechon Mamre.
Excerpts of the Rosh Hashanah Mussaf prayer in English and Hebrew from NetGimpse. |
