PJ Library Book Picks for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

From the desk of Mary Ellen Loebl, PJ Library Coordinator

Mary Ellen Loebl

As Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, approach, PJ Library has you covered with wonderful books for children of all ages.


PJ Library stories are relatable because the characters feel just like members of our own families—siblings, friends, and even imaginative figures like the Big Bad Wolf or the Ziz. These characters sometimes make mistakes, feel remorse, and work to make things right—powerful lessons for kids as they learn about forgiveness, reflection, and new beginnings.


PJ Library Rosh Hashanah books share beautiful stories of family and friends celebrating the holiday together, while also introducing children to other New Year traditions around the world. The books highlight the special symbolic foods of the season—round challah representing the cycle of the year, apples dipped in honey for a sweet New Year, and pomegranates with their many seeds reminding us of our hope to do many mitzvot in the year ahead.


And we can’t forget the board books for our youngest readers! From fun stories with Uncle Max celebrating the holiday, to playful introductions to Rosh Hashanah symbols and traditions, these books make learning joyful. Little ones can count along while chopping apples or listen for the blasts of the shofar—engaging ways to celebrate while building early learning skills.

 

Continue reading to explore some of PJ Library of Southern Arizona’s favorite books for the upcoming holidays. 

PJ Library Favorites for Rosh Hashanah

Two New Years

By Richard Ho

Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield


Lanterns, round challah, sweeping up, listening to the shofar — all are ways to welcome a new year! In this vibrantly illustrated book, a Chinese-Jewish family celebrates the joyful traditions of Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year.

Apple Days

By Allison Soffer

Illustrated by bob McMahon


Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is a great time to pick apples and make applesauce. Katy can’t wait. But this year the arrival of a new baby gets in the way. How will Katy celebrate the new year now?

Finding Forgiveness

By Rebecca Gardyn Levington

Illustrated by Diana Mayo


Celebrating Rosh Hashanah isn’t as fun when you’ve just had a fight with your sister. The tradition of Tashlich, throwing bread or pebbles representing regrets into the water, helps two sisters learn how to move on from their mistakes.

Something New for Rosh Hashanah

By Jane Yolen

Illustrated by Christine Battuz


It’s Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! It’s customary to taste a new food in honor of the holiday – but Becca, like many small children, is a picky eater. This sweet book, written by the beloved author Jane Yolen, follows Becca on her path to trying out something new. Rosh Hashanah is a great time to grow and learn – and that’s what trying new things is all about

PJ Library Favorites for Yom Kippur

The Hardest Word – A Yom Kippur Story

By Jacqueline Jules

Illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn


The Ziz, a clumsy and big-hearted bird, asks God for advice after accidentally destroying a vegetable garden. From this, Ziz learns the importance of an apology.

I’m Sorry You Got Mad

By Kyle Lukoff

Illustrated by Julie Kwon


Ms. Rice is making Jack write an apology to his friend Zoe, but none of his notes are good enough. With text entirely made up of Jack’s letters (and the responses he gets), this creative story explores what it really means to say sorry.

Big Bad Wolf’s Yom Kippur

By David Sherrin

Illustrated by Martin Moron


The Big Bad Wolf is all ready for another day of being mean. But today is Yom Kippur! New forest friends teach the Big Bad Wolf about Yom Kippur and the meaning of “teshuvah,” or turning toward righteousness.

 

How to Apologize

By Davi Larochelle

Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka


Whether you’re a sock-stealing giraffe, a balloon-popping hedgehog, or a self-absorbed chicken, saying sorry can be hard to do. Silly situations give way to earnest advice in this guide to making amends.

Board Books for Babies

Rosh Hashanah with Uncle Max

By Varda Livney

Illustrated by Varda Livney


Here comes Uncle Max! He’s arriving because today is a special day. It’s Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and the whole family is coming together to celebrate! Share in their celebration in this sweet book.

 

Rosh Hashanah is Coming!

By Tracy Newman

Illustrated by Viviana Garofoli


How do we know Rosh Hashanah is coming? There are so many hints! In this story children point to all the signals that the Jewish New Year is approaching.

One, Two, Three, Rosh Hashanah!

By Naomi Shulman

Illustrated by Nora Hilb


Braiding challah, slicing apples, listening to the shofar . . . as the little girl in this book discovers, celebrating the world’s birthday is as easy as “one, two, three!”

Find additional holiday resources, activities, and book information at pjlibrary.org.
 
Interested in getting involved with PJ Library? Learn more about how children aged birth to twelve can get free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture here. Connect with Mary Ellen with questions, concerns, and recommendations.

*all book synopses from pjlibrary.org

8 Ways for kids and adults to make the most of the back-to-school season at the Tucson J

This fall, join us for a variety of member favorites and NEW programs for kids and adults! Whether you’re looking to move, create, or learn, do it with us at the Tucson J! 

 

Read on to explore some ideas to get you started, but for a complete list of programs, click here. 

Learn a new language 

It is never too late to learn something new! Our Spanish and Hebrew language classes are taught by talented instructors who work to ensure that all learners can succeed. Whether you have some experience or are starting fresh, our progressive levels meet all participants where they are at– find the right class for you today! 

Join a basketball league 

Bring out your competitive edge, meet new people, and most importantly, have fun! Year-round, the Tucson J offers basketball leagues for kids and adults. This fall, join our Men’s Basketball League or Men’s 3v3 Basketball League, and enroll your child in one of our kid’s leagues: Lil Ballers for ages 3-5; Mighty Mites for ages 6 to 8; All-Stars for ages 9 to 11; and for middle schoolers, check out the Tucson Jays, a competitive club team that competes in local tournaments! 

nine men playing basketball in an indoor gymnasium

Explore your creativity in an art class 

From ceramics to charm making, mixed-media to polymer clay, there is no shortage of art classes to choose from this season at the J! Structured around the message that everyone is an artist, our classes are led by supportive, knowledgeable instructors who will guide you every step of the way. So, join us to get messy, feel inspired, and maybe even make a new friend!  

art class table with watercolor supplies and paintings

Discover a new fitness routine

Each day offers a new opportunity and we’re here to cheer you on! If you’ve been thinking about getting back in the gym, trying a group fitness class, or just switching things up, there is no better time than today. At the J, achieve your fitness goals working with one of our experienced personal trainers; get in a pool workout with our Masters Swim Club; schedule a tennis lesson with one of our tennis pros; or try one of our many small training groups, like JXT or Ladies Who Lift.  

Enroll in a youth dance class

The J is excited to announce our revamped youth dance program. Beginning in September, our dance classes will run on semester–long terms, offering dancers a structured season of learning and preparing them for a special recital in December! This fall, we will be offering ballet, hip hop, and “Sample of Dance” classes for kids three to eleven years old.  

Improve your sports performance at Speed School 

At our redesigned Speed School, Coach Clive Roberts, a former NCAA Division One coach, works with young athletes to improve their speed, agility, and strength, reducing injuries and helping them be their best! 

Make a splash with the Stingrays 

Did you know that the Tucson J has a USA Swimming Club Swim Team for kids? The Tucson Stingrays, for kids ages 4 to 18, has six practice groups that are each based on age, ability, and skill level. While the group focuses on building teamwork, work ethic, and skills, there is plenty of emphasis on fun, sportsmanship, and supporting excellence in every swimmer! 

Find the right childcare option for your family

Full-time, part-time, after-school, or the occasional date night, the Tucson J has childcare options for every family and lifestyle. Our Early Childhood Education program, for infants through pre-k, provides a caring and safe atmosphere to learn, play, and grow alongside our supportive staff. For kindergarteners through fifth graders, JCare offers fun and educational programming Monday through Friday from 2-6pm, with buses picking up from select schools. 


Our JClub program, for sixth through eighth grade students, provides less structure and more independence for tweens and teens. They can work on homework, explore the pool and fitness center, or simply relax in our new youth lounge area.  


Additionally, check out our School Days Out and Parents Night Out programs. Offered when local schools are closed, School Days Out includes fun field trips around Tucson, or games, arts and crafts, cooking, or swimming around the J. Once a month, enjoy a date night or time alone on our Parents Night Out while your child has a fun evening at the J.  

Your new favorite hobby is awaiting you at the J! This fall, join us to learn, move, and create your way. Not sure where to begin? Stop by the J or contact info@tucsonjcc.org. We can’t wait to see what you will get up to! 
Explore our programs

5 Ways to Keep Learning All Summer Long in Tucson, Arizona!

From the desk of Joline Riddle, Senior Director of Early Childhood Education

Joline Riddle

We understand – after a full school year of learning and playing, preschoolers and parents alike are ready for some relaxing summer fun. But even though structured learning has paused, ages zero through five are when a child’s brain is at its most flexible, making the summer an important time to keep the learning going.  

 

Summertime learning can be fun and requires less planning and structure than you’d think. Read on to discover five ways you can seamlessly integrate educational opportunities into the summer so that when your child returns to school in the fall, they will be off to a fantastic start.  

Take fun-filled, educational field trips as a family

Tucson is filled with free or low-cost parks, libraries, museums, and so much more! Planning an occasional afternoon field trip allows children to explore the community, build social skills, and learn new information.  

 

Some ideas include: 

Explore STEAM activities at home 

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) education is particularly important for preschool-aged children because it encourages creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and communication. Especially engaging, STEAM activities are hands-on, allowing children to play as they learn and teaching them to ask questions, try new things, and question the world around them.  

 

Here are a few ideas to get started, but the internet is full of ideas! 

  • collect materials from your home and build small boats (have a competition to see whose can hold the most pennies, marbles, or other small objects) 

Create fun sensory activities to help you child with their big emotions 

Toddlerhood is full of, if not defined by, big feelings. And no matter how big, as educators and caretakers, our job is to ensure that children can develop the skills necessary to understand and healthily express these feelings.  

 

One way to support emotional development is through the use of sensory toys. While you can purchase them, you can also easily find tutorials on how to make these toys at home, such as homemade stress balls or dough and sensory bins or bottles. 

 

Sensory play empowers children to self-regulate their emotions, knowing that they are in control of their sensory experience. Just as with adults, sensory toys can have a calming effect on children, providing them with a safe outlet to manage anxiety or stress.  

Go for a nature walk to spot the unique desert life native to Tucson 

Desert summers are not the best for enjoying nature, but an early morning or after-dinner walk or hike is the best way to beat the heat and enjoy the outdoors.  

 

On your walk, keep track of all the nature you see, like birds, lizards, bugs, squirrels, coyotes, javelinas, or plants such as saguaros, ocotillos, cholla, wildflowers… the list is endless!  

 

See who can spot the most variety of wildlife, or track if you can spot a plant or animal for every letter of the alphabet.  

Engage with loose parts play, making something completely new from something old or used!  

In line with STEAM activities, gather items from around the house (empty cereal boxes, milk cartons, paper towel rolls, scraps of paper, tinfoil, yarn, large cardboard boxes, etc.) and let your imagination run wild!  

 

Have each family member create something individually or create something as a family. Maybe you build a rocket ship to take you on a space adventure, or you open Tucson’s hottest new ice cream parlor, or you create “fairy houses” for the critters in your backyard. The sky is the limit! 

No matter where your summer takes you, finding time for learning will not only set your child up for a successful school year, but will also allow your family quality time to try new things together – a summertime win-win!  
 
For more summer learning ideas or to learn more about our Early Childhood Education program, please contact Joline Riddle, Senior Director of Early Childhood Education at the Tucson J.