Celebrate the New Year with your grandchildren. Bring out the apples, honey ... and art supplies

by Felisa Billet

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"Creating something special for this auspicious time of year turns an ordinary moment between grandparents and grandkids into something extraordinary," says Laurie Bellet, an art specialist at Oakland Hebrew Day School in California and a project developer for Torah Aura Productions, a Jewish publishing company.

Not only are arts and crafts a great way for grandparents and grandkids to bond but it's a powerful medium to help toddlers, grade schoolers, and older kids internalize the meaning and symbolism of Rosh Hashanah.

"The very nature of spending time with our grandkids and playing with art supplies lends to conversation," says Bellet. "We are telling our grandkids, 'nothing is more important in the whole world except for you.' What a great way to start a new year."

Here are three crafts Bellet created to ring in the Jewish New Year together.

For Toddlers and Preschoolers:

ROUND CHALLAH COVER

To symbolize the cyclical nature of life, which is one of the holiday's themes; challahs (braided bread) for Rosh Hashanah are typically baked in the shape of a circle, a good way to talk to toddlers about the continuity of the Jewish year. Since the challah cover is preserved with lamination, it can be used yearly, conveying the message that not only is Jewish tradition valued, but the work of the toddler is valued as well.

Materials:

• A large (10" or larger) round white doily
• Crayons, markers, or paints and brushes
• Images and messages cut out from Rosh Hashanah greeting cards
• Stickers with images of apples, bees, honey jars, and Stars of David
• Glue stick
• Clear laminating sheets or access to a laminating machine

Instructions:

1. Color or paint the doily with crayons, markers, or paint.
   
2. Glue the cut-out images or messages from the Rosh Hashanah cards onto the doily. Embellish with stickers.
   
3. Have the young artist sign the work. Add the date. Set aside to dry.
   
4. Laminate the doily on both sides with the lamination sheets. Trim the excess from around the doily.
   

For Grade-Schoolers:

MY OWN BOOK OF LIFE

On Rosh Hashanah, it is said that God records the future in the Book of Life which is then sealed on Yom Kippur. In this activity, grade-schoolers will learn a simple book binding technique as they write their own Book of Life. With their grandparent's help, they will personalize challenges, while offering strategies for improvement in the coming year.

"This is a fantastic way for kids to learn that everybody makes mistakes and everybody can work on improving themselves, which is one of the main messages of Rosh Hashanah," says Bellet. "Art is a medium that offers a safe forum to examine our challenges in a way that we can't do with words." Consider creating your own Book of Life alongside your grandchild.

Materials:

• 4 to 6 pieces of white 8 ½" x 11" printer paper
• Hole puncher
• Craft stick
• A large rubberband
• Coloring tools such as crayons, markers, gel pens, and colored pencils
• Images and messages cut out from Rosh Hashanah greeting cards
• Scrapbooking adornments such as themed stickers, colored pieces of textured paper, or decals
• Glue stick

Instructions:

1. Stack the papers horizontally and fold them in half, like a book. Punch a hole along the crease approximately 2" from the top and another hole approximately 2" from the bottom.
   
2. Wrap and twist the rubber band twice around the top of the craft stick, as you would do to secure a ponytail.

   Back view of the "Book of Life"

   
   
3. Place the craft stick along the inside seam of the book, so it lies vertically between the holes punched in the paper. Pull away a loop of the rubberband and thread that piece through the top hole to the back of the book. Pull that same piece of rubberband down the back of the book, and thread it through the bottom the hole, back toward the craft stick on the inside seam. Then, wrap and twist that piece of the rubberband to the bottom of the craft stick to secure it in place.
   
4. Determine whether the book will open from the right (English style) or from the left (Hebrew style).
   
5. Decorate the book's cover with coloring tools and cut-outs from Rosh Hashanah greeting cards.
   
6. Come up with things you and your grandchild will work on in the coming year, such as keeping your bedroom tidy; going to bed and waking up on time; speaking in a kind tone of voice; and eating fewer sweets and more fruits and vegetables.
   
7. Next, brainstorm how you will improve these habits. Be as specific as possible, such as: not dropping your clothes on the floor; setting the alarm clock 10 minutes earlier; using a gentle voice; and packing apples for snack time.
   
8. On each book page, write down one habit to be changed and the plan for changing it.
   
9. Use scrapbooking adornments to embellish the pages. Remember to read your Book of Life often!
   

For Older Grandchildren:

APPLE AND HONEY PLATES

"Making a special plate to hold slices of apples drizzled with honey, which we eat to symbolize a sweet new year, adds dignity to the holiday," says Bellet. "Creating a plate that can become a family keepsake is a great way to honor the holiday."

This craft is perfect for older grandkids because it features a complex process of layering glue and tissue paper, yet it doesn't require sophisticated art skills. Most importantly, it's a perfect craft to showcase a young person's self-expression.

Materials:

• Images and messages cut out from Rosh Hashanah cards
• Glue stick
• Round 10" or 8" clear glass plate
• Round doily (sized to fit the inside of the plate's surface)
• Mod Podge, a craft glue sealant
• 1" size foam brush
• Colored tissue paper

Instructions:

1. Glue the cut-out images or messages from the Rosh Hashana card on to the doily.
   
2. Turn the plate upside down. Dip the foam brush into the Mod Podge and lightly spread over the plate's surface.
   
3. Place the doily, pictures face down, over the Mod Podge. Smooth into place. (Later, when you turn the plate right side up, you will see the pictures and words through the glass.)
   
4. Cut strips of tissue paper into different shapes.
   
5. With the plate still upside down, spread another layer of Mod Podge over the doily.
   
6. Completely cover the layer of Mod Podge with the pieces of tissue paper.
   
7. Spread a thin layer of Mod Podge over the tissue paper pieces. Completely cover with another layer of tissue paper pieces.
   
8. Cover with a final coat of Mod Podge. Run your fingers around the rim of the plate to fold back any edges of tissue that are extending from the plate. Use your hand to smooth the tissue on the bottom of the plate.
   
9. Allow the plate to dry overnight. Do not submerge your plate in water or place it in the dishwasher. Damp wipe the surface for years of enjoyment.