JCC Association's Early Childhood Curriculum Project 'This New Month'

For Children

The Earth and Sky: A First Discovery Book A Scholastic Publication

This is a book that can be read to celebrate the birthday of the world-- It gives another perspective of how the world is made.

How the Rosh Hashanah Challah Became Round by Sylvia B. Epstein

Before reading the book to her students, Debbie S., preschool teacher from Cleveland, Ohio asks her students to think about why we bake round challot for Rosh Hashanah. She then reads the story to them. It is light and fun and gets the kids to work on creative thinking skills.

The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allen Ahlberg

Debbie S., preschool teacher from Cleveland, Ohio recommends using this book as a way to encourage children to send Rosh Hashanah cards home to their families.

On the Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier

This is a good book to read when teaching students about the birthday of the world. This book can help students get a deeper understanding of birth and to think about their own birth. The illustrations are great and lead to creative responses for wishes for the world. After reading this book, Debbie S. suggests creating a class birthday chart.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by Miriam Schein

This book is part of a series of holiday books put out by Behrman House in 1983. They are well written and the children seem to enjoy both text and illustrations.

Yussel's Prayer: A Yom Kippur Story retold by Barbara Cohen

This book discusses the importance of a child's way of praying.

For Early Childhood Educators

There are some great Web sites which provide background information about the month of Tishrei. Here are a few suggested sites:

"Tishrei" (2001) Jewish Heritage Online Magazine published by Maxima Multimedia
www.jhom.com/calendar/tishrei

This site contains a variety of articles about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah and the Jewish Calendar.

"Tishrei" (2001) Owned and operated by Jewish Community Online, part of Jewish Renaissance Media
www.jewish.com/holidays/roshc_tishrei.shtml

This site provides information about Rosh Chodesh, Tishrei and the other months of the Jewish Calendar.

"Tishrei Festivals" (2001) The Department of Jewish Zionist Education/The Pedagogic Center
www.jajz-ed.org.il/festivls/tish

This site contains information about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah in English, Hebrew, French, German and Spanish. This site also features a variety of links to other Web sites which contain information about the month of Tishrei.