High Holiday Resources

Blessing for apples and other fruit in Hebrew transliteration and simplified English translation with visual representation.

Blessing for lighting the candles on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in Hebrew transliteration and simplified English translation with visual representation.

Kiddush (blessing over wine/grape juice) in Hebrew transliteration and simplified English translation with visual representation.

Motzi in Hebrew transliteration and simplified English translation with visual representation.

Shehecheyanu in Hebrew transliteration and simplified English translation with visual representation.

Blessing for hearing the shofar in Hebrew transliteration and simplified English translation with visual representation.

Let's go to temple! This story helps prepare children for a trip to temple by telling them what events to expect, naming the people and items they will see, and explaining what behavior is expected of them. When children know what will happen in temple they will be less anxious and more likely to have a successful day.  This story is not specific to the High Holidays but is a great preparatory tool to use in conjunction with the High Holiday specific stories below.

This story briefly introduces the holiday of Rosh Hashanah and explains that people go to temple on Rosh Hashanah. This can be used as an introduction to almost any of the Rosh Hashanah Social Stories.

This story describes the nice clothes that people wear to temple. It also explains that people in temple wear kippot and tallitot. This story will be helpful for children who may be anxious about a change in their normal dressing routine. It may also help children who like to plan what they want to wear in advance.

This story describes how people greet each other at temple and explains the meaning of the Hebrew phrase "Shanah Tovah," which means "have a good year." This story is useful for children who want to practice their social skills.

This story briefly explains that people in temple need to stay in their seats and have quiet voices. Clearly outlining the behavior that is expected in temple is helpful to children with disabilities. In addition to reviewing this story before going to temple, parents may bring it to temple if their children would benefit from reminders of what proper temple behavior looks like.

Sitting through High Holiday services can be a challenge for anyone! This story suggests some appropriate activities to keep children from becoming bored during a long service. Fill-in-the-blanks encourage parents and children to talk in advance about how they plan to stay occupied.

This story describes the Torah service. This story can be used to prepare children to participate by touching the Torah during the procession. This story is helpful for children who are anxious about going to temple because it lets them know what to expect.

This story explains that we talk to God by praying and explains why some prayers are in Hebrew. By explaining why we pray, this story may make saying prayers a more meaningful activity for children.

This story describes the different ways people say prayers: standing up, sitting down, singing, talking, whispering. It also reassures children that the Rabbi will usually give instructions about how to say a prayer. This story is helpful for children who are anxious about going to temple because it lets them know what to expect.

This story explains what the shofar is and describes the different kinds of shofar blasts. This story is helpful for children who are anxious about going to temple because it lets them know what to expect. It might also be an enjoyable read for students who love listening to the shofar.

Many children with disabilities are sensitive to loud noises. This story reassures children that loud noises are safe. It also gives children useful suggestions about what to do if the noise makes them feel scared or uncomfortable.

Catch your child being good! This social story praises children for going to temple. Such praise helps make going to temple a positive experience. This story also allows children and parents to review what they did in temple that day.

This story briefly introduces the holiday of Yom Kippur and explains that people go to temple on Yom Kippur. This can be used as an introduction to almost any of the Yom Kippur Social Stories.

This story describes what fasting means and why people fast on Yom Kippur. It also explains that people who fast might be tired and need a chance to rest. This story is helpful for children who are anxious about changes in their family's routine. It is also helpful for children who are curious about why mom and dad aren't eating breakfast with them.

This story explains why children do not fast on Yom Kippur and gives suggestions about other ways children can observe the holiday. This story is useful for children who might want to fast like their parents.

This story describes the nice clothes that people wear to temple. It also describes some of the special clothes that they may see people wearing on Yom Kippur, such as kittels and sneakers. This story will be helpful for children who may be anxious about a change in their normal dressing routine. This story is also helpful for children who might be curious about why people in temple are wearing "funny clothes."

This story describes how people greet each other at temple and explains why people often greet each other with the phrase: "Have an easy fast." This story is useful for children who want to practice their social skills.

This story briefly explains that people in temple need to stay in their seats and have quiet voices. Clearly outlining the behavior that is expected in temple is helpful to children with disabilities. In addition to reviewing this story before going to temple, parents may bring it to temple if their children would benefit from reminders of what proper temple behavior looks like.

Sitting through High Holiday services can be a challenge for anyone! This story suggests some appropriate activities to keep children from becoming bored during a long service. Fill-in-the-blanks encourage parents and children to talk in advance about how they plan to stay occupied.

This story describes the Torah service. This story can be used to prepare children to participate by touching the Torah during the procession. This story is helpful for children who are anxious about going to temple because it lets them know what to expect.

This story explains that we talk to God by praying and explains why some prayers are in Hebrew. By explaining why we pray, this story may make saying prayers a more meaningful activity for children.

This story describes the different ways people say prayers: standing up, sitting down, singing, talking, whispering. It also reassures children that the Rabbi will usually give instructions about how to say a prayer. This story is helpful for children who are anxious about going to temple because it lets them know what to expect.

This story explains the meaning of the phrase "breaking the fast." This story is helpful for children on the autism spectrum who sometimes have trouble understanding figurative language.

Catch your child being good! This social story praises children for going to temple. Such praise helps make going to temple a positive experience. This story also allows children and parents to review what they did in temple that day.

Yom Kippur is a perfect time to review the important social skill of apologizing. This social story explains when to apologize, how to apologize, and how apologizing makes people feel better.

This document presents three steps of accepting an apology accompanied by simple boardmaker illustration. It is can be used for Yom Kippur or any time during the year. This document accompanies our social story "It is a Smart Choice to Apologize"

This document presents three steps of making an apology accompanied by simple boardmaker illustration. It is can be used for Yom Kippur or any time during the year. This document accompanies our social story "It is a Smart Choice to Apologize"

Match the images of red and green apples based on their color. This activity will help students associate apples with Rosh Hashanah.

Match the children blowing the shofar based on the color of their clothing. This activity will familiarize students with the shofar and the idea that we blow the shofar during the High Holidays.

Sort the photographs of red and green apples based on their color. This activity will help students associate apples with Rosh Hashanah.

Telly, Oscar, Big Bird and Elmo each need to have an an apple and honey so they can celebrate having a sweet new year! Different-shaped pieces help cue students to give the correct items to each character. The shapes also help students correct themselves independently if they make an error.

Complete the patterns of apples and honey in this High Holiday-themed activity.

This activity features photographs of the objects we use to celebrate the High Holidays and to welcome the new year. It will help to familiarize students with these objects. Additionally, students who are able to read can review the name of each object.

This fun Rosh Hashanah art project can result in beautiful homemade New Year's cards! This project helps children associate Rosh Hashanah and its traditional snack of apples though a tactilely stimulating activity. Creating Rosh Hashanah cards that can be distributed to friends and family can help children feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. This downloadable kit includes step-by-step visual instructions, as well as suggestions for adaptations to suite children with a wide variety of abilities and limitations.

Writing Rosh Hashanah cards can be an excellent opportunity for children to correspond with their friends and family. Communication can be a challenge for many students with disabilities, so it is important to create opportunities for them to express themselves. Through the use of Mayer-Johnson picture symbols, this activity sets children up for success by providing a method of communication that is accessible to those who are non-readers, non-verbal or have physical limitations, and empowers children to make choices to compose a message that is truly theirs.

This fun, old-fashioned High Holiday craft is also a wonderful fine motor activity! In the past, people made pomanders, also known as clove apples, to bring to synagogue on Yom Kippur, as the fragrance of the apple and cloves together helped ease hunger during the fast. Making pomanders is an excellent way for children to practice their fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. This kit comes with a further explanation of the activity, list of materials, visual instructions and design ideas.