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Rosh Hashanah Facts & Worksheets

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and is celebrated in early Autumn.

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Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and is celebrated in early Autumn. It is believed to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, and no work is allowed on the first two days of Rosh Hashanah.

See the fact file below for more information on the Rosh Hashanah or alternatively, you can download our 33-page Rosh Hashanah worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BACKGROUND BEHIND ROSH HASHANAH

  • Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year” and is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. It is the day on which the year number changes. Rosh Hashanah is a solemn and holy time. It occurs on the first and second days of Tishri, which falls in September or October.
  • This day commemorates the anniversary of the creation and is a day in which the whole world is judged for the coming year. It is a time of restricted rejoicing because celebrations are muted in acknowledgment of the great judgment taking place.
  • Also known as the Day of Judgment, for it is believed that on this day God judges all of His people and decides their fate in the next year.
  • Although it was not mentioned in the Torah, Judaism’s basic and supreme religious scripture, the holiday most likely began in the 6th century BCE.

TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS

  • Most of the first two days are spent in a synagogue, as no work is allowed on these days of Rosh Hashanah. Specialized services on Rosh Hashanah take place, which typically lasts longer than the average time of worship. While other holidays in the Jewish faith may involve fasting, Rosh Hashanah does not.
  • Certain foods are prepared for Rosh Hashanah and carry specific meanings. Apples and bread dipped in honey represent a sweet new year to come.
  • Challah bread is often baked into round creations to serve as symbols of the cyclical nature of the year. Raisins are added to signify a sweet new year. Sometimes the bread is dipped in honey to symbolize the sweetness they wish to take place in the coming year.
  • Fish is a typical dish which is served. Fish is known as a traditional symbol of fertility and prosperity. Since its eyes are always open, the creature represents knowledge.
  • Pomegranate is often part of the holiday meal as well. It is said to have 613 seeds, which is the number of mitzvot (commandments). The pomegranate serves to remind God of the obedience of the family in the prior year.
  • According to religious beliefs, it is during the 10 Days of Awe which fall between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that God judges all creatures. Under the Jewish traditions, the name of those who are righteous are written in the book of life, while the opposite need to do teshuvah or repentance.
  • In a ceremonious tradition of ‘casting off’ the sins committed during the previous year, observers of the Jewish faith may participate in an old custom called Tashlikh (which translates into ‘casting off’). With bread crumbs in hand or tossing the contents of their pockets, worshippers will walk to a creek or river in a symbolic gesture of tossing away their sins. Usually, this ritual takes place on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah.
    Jews greet each other with shana tova which means for a good year.
  • A shofar is traditionally made of ram’s horn in four sets of notes: tekiah, the long blast; shevarim, the short one; teruah, nine staccato blasts; and tekiah gedolah, the longest blast.
  • Rosh Hashanah is one of four New Year’s days not celebrated on January 1, including the Persian New Year, Islamic New Year, and Thai New Year.

Rosh Hashanah Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about the Rosh Hashanah across 33 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Rosh Hashanah worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Rosh Hashanah which is the Jewish New Year and is celebrated in early Autumn. It is believed to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, and no work is allowed on Rosh Hashanah.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Rosh Hashanah Facts
  • Yes, It’s TRUE
  • Food and Symbols
  • New Year Crossword
  • In 365 Days
  • The Creation
  • A Day to Remember
  • A Time at Synagogue
  • Rebuilding the Relationship
  • World Religions
  • Famous Jews
  • Around the Globe
  • Judaism 101
  • The Star of David
  • Mapping Faith
  • New Year Acrostics
  • High Holy Days
  • Jewish Holidays
  • Sounding of the Shofar
  • On Rosh Hashanah
  • First of the Year

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important thing about Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, which marks the end of the Hebrew year and the start of a 10-day period of introspection and repentance known as the Days of Awe. The two “High Holy Days” in Judaism are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

How do you celebrate Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah customs include going to synagogue services and reciting special liturgy about teshuva, as well as eating festive meals. Nowadays, symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey are eaten to evoke a sweet new year.

What food do you eat on Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time to reflect on the previous year—and anticipate the future. The festive meal for Rosh Hashanah may include yeasty challah, matzo ball soup, and apple slices coated in honey.

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Link will appear as Rosh Hashanah Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, August 28, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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