The High Holy Days season is a time filled with family, friends, and celebration. We have partnered with PJ Library Bay Area to bring you this high holidays guide of activities, programs, and kid-friendly resources.
This year, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 and ends the evening on Friday, October 4, 2024. Yom Kippur begins the evening of Friday, October 11, 2024 and ends the evening of Saturday, Oct 12, 2024.
Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year)! The Jewish new year of 5785 kicks off on Rosh Hashanah when people wish each other Shanah Tovah – a sweet new year! Together, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur make up the Jewish High Holidays with the ten days in between known as the “days of awe.”
Rosh Hashanah activities for East Bay kids and families
Community Rosh Hashanah events
At-home Rosh Hashanah activities
Browse PJ Library’s Rosh Hashanah hub and downloadable High Holidays @ Home Guide for easy ways for your family to celebrate at home.
Eat sweet foods to ring in a sweet new year:
- Here are the symbolic foods we eat on Rosh Hashanah >
- How to braid a round challah >
- Make apple cut-out cards for Rosh Hashanah
- High Holiday recipes your family will love
- Eat round challah bread to symbolize the cycle of the years. Grand Bakery in Oakland and Saul’s Delicatessen in Berkeley will be ready with circular challah for your Rosh Hashanah needs.
When you start off the new year by signing up to get free Jewish storybooks delivered monthly, the whole family can celebrate all year long! Sign Up For PJ Library
Yom Kippur activities for East Bay kids and families
The Ten Days of Returning end with Yom Kippur, an entire day set aside for thinking about our actions of the past year and how to improve in the new year. Yom Kippur is a community experience. Millions of Jewish people are spending the day doing the same thing. The prayers for Yom Kippur talk about mistakes WE have made, because on this day everyone stands together, even when apart. All of us, young and old, make mistakes, and we all deserve a second chance.
Whether you need a Yom Kippur activity, book suggestion, or refresher on holiday traditions, PJ Library has you covered:
- Yom Kippur Activities For Kids
- PJ Library Yom Kippur Book Selections
- Yom Kippur Music Playlist
- PJ Library Presents: A Podcast Episode About Forgiveness
Upcoming Events for Yom Kippur
We wish you and your family a healthy, happy New Year and a meaningful Yom Kippur.
Thanks again to PJ Library Bay Area for supporting 510 Families. Images used with permission.
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