Learning about the high holidays at Chabad Hebrew School

The Chabad Hebrew School of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh made learning about the high holidays fun this year, with a Rosh Hashana Street Fair.

A new year of Hebrew school began last week for students on Sept. 13, and before heading to class, students enrolled in the program were able to enjoy several outdoor activities, that were fun and immersive, and taught them about the upcoming holiday.

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish new year, a two-day observance that begins on the first day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Customs include sounding a shofar — a hollowed-out ram’s horn — attending synagogue services with special liturgy for the holiday and eating symbolic foods.

Students in the Chabad Hebrew School were able to enjoy many fun activities during the street fair. They learned how to make challah bread and pomegranate salsa, designed Shana Tovah, or Happy New Year cards, and took home a Rosh Hashana box, with sweet treats to usher in a “sweet” new year. They were also able to collect sweet treats in various spots throughout the fair.

Rosh Hashana fell on Sept. 16 and 17 this year. The holiday is followed by Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism, on Sept. 25.

On Yom Kippur, for younger members of the Chabad, there will be services at 10:45 a.m. for ages 1 to 4, and at 12 p.m. for ages 5 and older. There is no charge for the services, but pre-registration is required.

To learn more about upcoming services and events through the Chabad, and to register for children’s services related to the high holidays, visit ChabadJewishLife.org.