Jewish Holidays, Human Stories

From Rosh Hashanah apples to Passover questions, kids meet each holiday as a story about being human — courage, gratitude, memory, and belonging. No prayer, no memorization. Just wonderful stories, hands-on projects, and space to ask what it means.

What you'll learn

The story and modern meaning of every major holiday
Rituals as human traditions we can shape
Songs, foods, and family projects for each holiday
How to ask good questions about what we celebrate

Syllabus

Fall: Beginnings

· Rosh Hashanah — a new year for the world
· Yom Kippur — trying again
· Sukkot — feeling small under a big sky

Winter: Light

· Hanukkah — courage and small lights
· Tu B'Shevat — a birthday for trees

Spring: Freedom

· Purim — heroes in disguise
· Passover — asking the big questions
· Yom HaShoah — remembering with courage

Summer: People

· Shavuot — learning together
· Shabbat — a weekly pause

Your instructor

Ilana Shaffer

Youth Education Director

Youth Education Director at Kol Hadash since 2019 and a member since 2013. Background in marketing communications and non-profit management. Grew up traditional in Oklahoma City and Atlanta and had an "aha!" moment discovering Humanistic…