Look at the map.
Israel is located on which continent/region?
Look at the map.
Israel is located on which continent/region?
In this activity, you will learn basic facts and key words about Rosh Hashanah. Use the mini-lesson, vocabulary, and map skills to answer questions about where it is celebrated and how calendars can work differently.
What it is: Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish holiday that marks the start of a new year on the Jewish (Hebrew) calendar.
Where it’s celebrated: Jewish people live in many places around the world. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated in Israel and in many diaspora communities (Jewish communities living outside Israel), including in the United States, parts of Europe, and North Africa.
Calendar connection: The Jewish calendar is based on the moon and the sun (it’s a lunisolar calendar). Because it’s different from the Gregorian calendar (the calendar used in the U.S.), the date of Rosh Hashanah changes each year on our classroom calendar.
Key words:
Israel: a country in Western Asia (the Middle East)
Diaspora: people living outside their homeland
Tradition: something people do and pass down over time
Synagogue: a Jewish place of worship
Shofar: a ram’s-horn instrument that is blown on Rosh Hashanah
A respectful note: People celebrate in different ways depending on their family and community.
What is Rosh Hashanah? Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It is a time for families and communities to gather, reflect on the past year, and hope for a good year ahead.
Where is it celebrated? Jewish people live in many places around the world. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated in Israel and also in the diaspora (Jewish communities living outside Israel), including in the United States and many other countries.
When is it celebrated? (Calendar connection) Rosh Hashanah is on the Jewish (Hebrew) calendar, so the date changes on our regular school calendar (the Gregorian calendar). Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown, so celebrations often start the evening before the calendar date.
Key words
Israel: A country in Western Asia (the Middle East)
Diaspora: People living outside their homeland (many Jewish communities live outside Israel)
Hebrew (Jewish) calendar: A calendar used for Jewish holidays
Synagogue: A Jewish place of worship and community gathering
Tradition: A practice people do again and again over time
Shofar: A horn (often from a ram) blown on Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is best described as…
Which places are examples of where Rosh Hashanah can be celebrated? (Choose 2)
True or False: The date of Rosh Hashanah stays on the same day every year on the U.S. classroom calendar (Gregorian calendar).
Match each word to its meaning.
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Corresponding Item |
|---|---|---|
Tradition | arrow_right_alt | People living outside their homeland |
Diaspora | arrow_right_alt | Jewish place of worship |
Synagogue | arrow_right_alt | Horn instrument used on Rosh Hashanah |
Shofar | arrow_right_alt | A practice passed down over time |
Put these ideas in order to show a "calendar connection" from the mini-lesson (first to last).
Rosh Hashanah is on the Jewish (Hebrew) calendar
The Jewish calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar
The date changes each year on the U.S. classroom calendar
Look at the map.
Israel is located on which continent/region?
Look at the map.
Which TWO shaded areas are shown as example diaspora regions on this map? (Choose 2)
The word diaspora means…
Which statements are true about the Jewish (Hebrew) calendar? (Choose 2)
In 3–5 sentences, explain how the map and the word diaspora help us understand where Rosh Hashanah is celebrated.
Which statement best describes diaspora?
Rosh Hashanah is often called the Jewish _____.
Rosh Hashanah is celebrated in Israel and in Jewish communities around the world.
Why can the date of Rosh Hashanah change on our school calendar each year?
Which are good examples of map skills you can use with a world map? (Choose 2)
Match each vocabulary word to its meaning.
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Corresponding Item |
|---|---|---|
Diaspora | arrow_right_alt | A country in Western Asia |
Shofar | arrow_right_alt | Living outside a homeland |
Tradition | arrow_right_alt | Jewish place of worship |
Israel | arrow_right_alt | A repeated practice over time |
Synagogue | arrow_right_alt | A horn blown on Rosh Hashanah |
Put these steps in order to show a good way to use a map and vocabulary to learn about Rosh Hashanah.
Look at the legend and labels
Find Israel on the map
Find one place outside Israel where Jewish communities live
Use the word diaspora to explain what you found
Look at the map below. Israel is located on which continent?\n\n
Look at the map. Which highlighted country is in North America?\n\n
Based on the mini-lesson and the map, which statements are true? (Choose 2)
Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown, so celebrations can start in the evening.
Name one place (country or region) where Rosh Hashanah can be celebrated outside Israel.