The month of Tishrei is one of the busiest in the Jewish calendar. First we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. During the Days of Awe leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, we think about those whom we have wronged and ask for forgiveness. Following Yom Kippur, we get ready to sit (or sleep) outside in our sukkahs (booths) to celebrate the wonderful holiday of Sukkot before we finish reading the Torah on Simchat Torah, and dance with the holy scrolls at the synagogue.

This is a month filled with thoughtfulness and celebration. We suggest enjoying family time with these tried-and-true activities from local preschool directors:

"Make an apple-dipping honey pot from clay pots and drip plates (like our student Noam, at right). Take a very small terra cotta pot and an equally oversized drip plate and paint them both with non-toxic acrylic paints (outside only). Once dry, adhere the pot to the center of the plate. Use a one-ounce plastic cup to hold the honey, and lay the apple slices on the plate."
—Marilyn Rabinovitz, Director, Shaloh House Preschool & Kindergarten

"Make a round challah cover by decorating a doily. Go apple picking, and count and classify apples. Bake a honey cake together. Have a picnic to enjoy the apples and cake, and read a Rosh Hashanah story."
—Amy Salinger, Director, Temple Emeth Nursery School
 
For more family-friendly holiday ideas, please click here.