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This September is a big month in the Jewish community with three major holidays, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. These holidays mark the Jewish New Year and are opportunities for gathering and celebrating as well as reflecting.
Does your family celebrate or are you interested in learning more about these holidays? Check out these great picture books to read together with your DC Public Library Card!
Is It Rosh Hashanah Yet?, Written by Chris Baruch, Illustrated by Alessandra Psacharopulo
As summer ends and fall settles in, a family prepares to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. It's time to pick apples, make cards, light the candles, and eat brisket to ring in the new year!
Apples and Pomegranates: A Family Seder for Rosh Hashanah, Written by Rahel Musleah, Illustrated by Judy Jarrett
On Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, it is traditional to dip apples and honey in hopes of a sweet New Year. Jews around the world share other foods as well - such as pomegranates, pumpkins, beets, and dates - foods that grow abundantly and symbolize prosperity. Author Rahel Musleah, who grew up in Calcutta, India, presents a Sephardic Rosh Hashanah seder observed throughout the world. This special service incorporates blessings, songs, and even folk tales relating to each of the eight foods eaten, and will guide participants through this joyous seder. Traditional holiday recipes are included.
Measuring a Year: A Rosh Hashanah Story, Written by Linda Elovitz Marshall, Illustrated by Zara González Hoang
From award-winning author Linda Elovitz Marshall and illustrator Zara González Hoang comes Measuring a Year, an engaging picture book about celebrating Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year. They offer a chance to think about the present and the past, to "measure" a year and ourselves. This sweet and thoughtful picture book, perfect for reading aloud, invites young readers and their families to take stock of the happy times and the occasional regrets, as well as the new friends made and new skills gained over the year. Happy New Year! Shana Tova!
Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah,
Written by Sylvia A. Rouss, Illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn
Another successful collaboration between the author and illustrator of Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah and Sammy Spider's First Passover. Mother Spider explains the holiday customs and symbols to curious young Sammy, including Rosh Hashanah greeting cards, challah bread, apples and honey for a sweet year, and special synagogue services. Sammy is endearing, but mischief-prone. Despite Mother Spider's insistence that he must remain a respectful observer to the festivities, Sammy manages to celebrate Rosh Hashanah in his own way. This gentle tale should appeal to youngsters of all backgrounds. The colorful collage illustrations are both instructive and cheerful.
Rosh Hashanah is Coming!, Written by Tracy Newman, Illustrated by Viviana Garófoli
This sweet board book celebrates the Jewish New Year, and is the fourth in Tracy Newman's Jewish holiday series. As Kirkus said of Shabbat is Coming!, a previous book in this series, "The bouncy verse and Garofoli's richly colored, slightly three-dimensional cartoons against canvas-textured background provide a compelling introduction to the weekly celebration."