By Elyssa Bloom
Rosh Hashanah. It means no worries for the rest of your days. Wait, wait, wait… I’ve been watching too many Disney movies with my son (#badmomjoke). Rosh Hashanah actually means head of the year, and this year it begins at sundown on September 29th.
For me, Rosh Hashanah symbolizes new beginnings and fresh starts. This holiday falls around the time that school is starting, the beginning of Autumn, and it is the Jewish new year. As a child, I would go to services with my family (and the truth is I would never sit through the whole service, but I was there!), eat apples and honey for a snack, and have a big family dinner that evening.
Now as a Mom, it is SO important for me to keep these traditions going for my children.
I am at an exciting point with my kids because my 3-year-old is now understanding holidays and gets so excited for them. I asked friends what their favorite Rosh Hashanah traditions were and most people responded that they eat apples and honey. We eat apples dipped in honey because it symbolizes a sweet new year. One friend said that her family bakes a cake for the world’s birthday and they sing happy birthday. How sweet is that?! Of course, we always have a round challah instead of an oval to represent the head of the new year. If you have never had challah, I need you to go to Publix and pick up your loaf today. You can thank me later.
Whether I celebrate with just my husband and kids or with 30+ family/framily (friends that are like family), I love these moments so much. Tell me, what is your favorite holiday? How do you celebrate and which traditions are you passing on to your children?
