In recognition of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, JCCs around the country are recognizing the holiday with their own, inclusive events. For example, the JCC of Greater of Baltimore recently hosted its first Tradition to Table for children in the community.
Melissa Seltzer, the senior director of arts and culture and J Life, said while kids learned how to make festive foods like challah buns and apple roses for the fall holidays they also had facilitated conversations about treasured family memories.
“As with all J Life events, there’s an emphasis on hospitality and inclusiveness,” said Seltzer. “They then learned about the holiday, the history and connection with the food.”
Children who attended also learned basic cooking and safety skills while feeding their bodies and souls and took home their tasty treat and a written version of their recipe.
Seltzer said during this time of year, the JCC takes time to reflect and learn how to be their best selves. “We think about who we were, are and want to be,” she said. “We think about how a shared past paves a united future. Through food, we learn about cultural customs. Food is a low barrier way to discover and connect to Jewish roots.”
The Role of J Life
While this is a new series, Seltzer said for the past three years the J Life program has been offering families with preschool aged children joyful Jewish experiences. Children who first started at the JCC are now moving into elementary school and are being guided on their Jewish journeys.
“This is one of a handful of new events geared toward a slightly older audience,” said Seltzer. “We also now have a full-time Israeli Jewish educator who happens to also have culinary expertise. The biggest challenge is trying to balance the sweet treats and memories with healthy choices that are exciting and fun. It’s all about balance and choosing items that have deep meaning and childlike whimsy.”
To ensure events hosted by the JCC are successful, Seltzer said J Life is intentionally involved in every choice they offer to the community. This is done to create an environment that helps people create connections to others and Jewish tradition at the JCC of Greater Baltimore.
“This impacts everything from the seating arrangement to pre-event communications to various ways we share information and ask questions,” said Seltzer. “We always ground all interactions in Jewish text, values and wisdom. It’s important to remember why you’re holding events and the impact you want to add. J Life has a variety of events for different ages and group sizes and are specifically delighted to be the first local chapter for the Jewish Grandparents Network.”
Other Ways JCCs Are Celebrating Rosh Hashanah
Merage JCC of Orange County
On Friday, September 27, participants joined the JCC to make and deliver Rosh Hashanah holiday bags to JCC seniors. Challahs, apples, honey and sweet notes from the children of the JCC were provided to fill holiday bags. Every contributor then delivered bags to six assigned local seniors over the weekend.
Oshman Family JCC
On October 3, the Oshman Family JCC is going to the local Hidden Villa Farm to enjoy a picnic. With a limit of 80 attendees, the JCC will take community members for a chance to be together in nature, connect with the meaning of the holiday, and enjoy fun activities for children and adults. Challahs, grape juice, wine and honey will be provided for participants.
Bender JCC
The Bender JCC’s Apples and Honeys offering introduces the Jewish New Year to children with a specially designed program. Early childhood music specialist Lisa Baydush leads a 45-minute kid-friendly, outdoor and music-filled Rosh Hashanah morning. After the music program, families are encouraged to stay for snacks and playground fun. All children in the community are welcome to attend on October 3.
