For Rosh Hashanah and Beyond

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With High Holidays so close, I’m happy to share with you some readings and links to deepen your understanding and appreciation of this solemn, but joyful, time in our Jewish year.

Ilana Kurshan is an American living in Israel. She is the mother of young children. This article featuring Eric Carle’s beloved story The Very Hungry Caterpillar, gives some very sage advice about how to handle the long services during the holidays and makes strong connections between Carle’s secular story and the story of creation. Kurshan is best known for If All the Seas Were Ink, her memoir about studying Talmud. She’s also the author of Why is This Night Different From All Other Nights: the four questions around the world and the translator of Meir Shalev’s A Snake, a Flood, a Hidden Baby: Bible stories for children.

Click here to read the article “Spending Rosh Hashanah With a Very Hungry Caterpillar“.

If you are looking for Jewish themed books, the Jewish Book Council has many suggestions. JBC is a treasure trove of book suggestions for both individuals and book groups.

Click here for the suggestions “Rab­bis Rec­om­mend Books for the High Holidays“

Parents are always on the lookout for good reading for their kids. JBC can help you there. Also check out the lists from the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL).

Click here for “High Hol­i­day Books for Young Readers”

Click here for AJL’s “Holiday Highlights Titles for Fall 2022“.

September is banned book month. As we contemplate, pray and read, consider the freedom to read and how it impacts our ability to think and grow. Here are the lists of Jewish themed books that have faced challenges recently.

Click here for “Jewish Banned Books“.

One of my favorite sites is CSP which has lectures and immense resources; here is a selection. Most everything is free and recorded for watching later.(The numbering is off because I edited this selection)

  1. Rosh Hashanah:
    1. The History of Rosh Hashanah Which Wasn’t Always the ‘New Year’ – LINK
    2. PJ Library Family Resources – LINK
    3. Clive Lawton on Rosh Hashanah (LINK) and Yom Kippur (LINK)
    4. Jewish Burning Man: Rosh Hashanah in Uman, Ukraine – LINK
  2. Sweet Honey
    1. A brief history of honey – LINK
    2. Why honey is eaten for Rosh Hashanah – LINK
    3. Great place to order your RH honey – LINK
  3. Rosh Hashanah:
    1. The History of Rosh Hashanah Which Wasn’t Always the ‘New Year’ – LINK
    2. PJ Library Family Resources – LINK
    3. Clive Lawton on Rosh Hashanah (LINK) and Yom Kippur (LINK)
    4. Jewish Burning Man: Rosh Hashanah in Uman, Ukraine – LINK
  4. RH Around the World:
    1. Rosh Hashanah Around the World – LINK
    2. 10 Rosh Hashanah Customs From Around the World – LINK
    3. How A Mumbai Cook Prepares for Rosh Hashanah – LINK
  5. To really put you in the Yamim Noraim mode, enjoy these playlists:
    1. Elul Playlist – LINK
    2. Elul Playlist (Contemporary Music) – LINK
    3. HH Liturgy Playlist – LINK
    4. “MiSinai” melodies – LINK
    5. High Holiday Mashupby Six 13
    6. Rosh Hashanah Melodies from Morocco and Gibraltar – LINK
  6. The one word that can change your life (Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks) – LINK
  7. Tashlich
    1. How to do Tashlich – LINK
    2. More than you ever wanted to know – LINK
  8. Rosh Hashanah Recipes:
    1. Rosh Hashanah Challah Recipes Are Round and Sweet – LINK
    2. For Rosh Hashana, A Matzo Ball Soup By Way Of Mexico – LINK{recipe}
    3. A “Simanim” Menue – LINK
    4. This Rosh Hashanah Menu From the Gefilteria Will Guarantee a Sweet New Year – LINK
    5. Rosh Hashanah Recipes from Around the World – LINK
  9. 21 Easy, Kid-Friendly Rosh Hashanah Recipes Your Family Will Love – LINK Rosh Hashanah Recipes:
    1. Rosh Hashanah Challah Recipes Are Round and Sweet – LINK
    2. For Rosh Hashana, A Matzo Ball Soup By Way Of Mexico – LINK{recipe}
    3. A South African Rosh Hashanah Menu – LINK
    4. A “Simanim” Menue – LINK
    5. This Rosh Hashanah Menu From the Gefilteria Will Guarantee a Sweet New Year – LINK
    6. Rosh Hashanah Recipes from Around the World – LINK

The  Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program shares the joy of Judaism, builds community, and celebrates our Jewish heritage with a rich adult education program and unique family experiences.   CSP has programs to offer for all ages. We ignite passion for Judaism! CSP live-streams programs on our CSP Facebook site and shares recordings on our new CSP YouTube Channel (please visit and subscribe!). If you are interested in our I-tunes archive of over 200 programs, you can listen at this LINK. You can reach us on the web at www.occsp.org and by phone at (949) 682-4040.

A final musical note to get you in the mood: Listen to Achat Sha’alti by Amy Robinson Katz.

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