Making the holidays meaningful for kids

Because the High Holy Days are a time for personal reflection and renewal — admittedly adult themes — they're not the easiest holidays to make meaningful for children.

"Neither of them are really kids' holidays," said Vicky Kelman, director of the Jewish Family Education Project at the S.F.-based Bureau of Jewish Education.

Nevertheless, it's important to help them feel the significance of Rosh Hashanah, Kelman said. Here are some of her suggestions:

• Pick apples and make your own applesauce or apple crisp.

• Empty the tzedakah box, count the money and decide together where to give it.

• Make a new tzedakah box.

• Have ice cream — or other special sweet treat — for breakfast on Rosh Hashanah, to symbolize the start of a sweet year.

n Visit a senior residence or hospital before or on the Holy Day; bring flowers and blow the shofar for the residents.

• Make a family time capsule to be opened next Rosh Hashanah, either in a large container such as a shoebox, or in a small plastic or glass container that can be displayed all year or hung in the sukkah.

• When holiday shopping for food or clothes, buy some extra to be given away to those in need.

• Print your own New Year's cards or postcards using a linoleum block, leaf prints or rubber stamps.

• Make special holiday centerpieces, place cards or even a tablecloth, using a solid-colored sheet as the base.

• Call or write to people with whom you've had disagreements. A family discussion can precede this, followed by quiet time during which everyone writes or, if too young to write, dictates.

• Each family member can write a letter to himself/herself with goals and hopes for the new year. Seal each letter in an envelope, and decide on a date to open them.

n Hold a birthday party for the world. Make a birthday cake. Bring or create presents that represent world needs.

• Start a family album to record special moments and accomplishments during the coming year.