Your High Holiday 2023 Prep Checklist

Elul is the month that precedes Rosh Hashanah. The main custom during Elul is hearing the shofar each morning, except on Shabbat. Many people will go to morning prayers at their synagogue to hear the shofar, while others prefer to do it themselves at home for themselves and their family. The blast of the shofar is meant to wake us up and prepare us for the approaching holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

You can learn more about the history, origins, and meaning of the shofar and its blasts here.

CHECKLIST:

1. Do you own a shofar?
2. Do you know how to pick out the right shofar?
3. Is your synagogue or local community in need of a shofar? If you are financially able, consider donating a shofar if your community is in need.
4. Have you secured tickets to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at your local synagogue of choice?
5. Do you want to do any sort of spiritual preparation during Elul, through journaling, reading, or prayer? If so, find what is best for you and be ready to start on August 17!
6. Do you have a machzor (holiday prayer book) ready for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services?
7. If it is your custom, do you plan to visit the graves of any departed loved ones?

Like we mentioned before, Rosh Hashanah 2023 begins at sundown on September 15. However, many stores will sell out of what you need if you wait until the last minute; plus, if getting your Judaica and holiday gifts from Israel is important to you, then it’s extra crucial to shop early and account for shipping times.

Each community and family has its own norms for gift-giving during Rosh Hashanah. Here is a list of people you may be shopping for:

• Your parents, siblings, and grandparents
• Your aunts, uncles, and cousins
• Your nieces and nephews
• Your children and grandchildren
• Your friends and their families
• Educators and leaders within your Jewish community
• Coworkers
• Day school or Hebrew school teachers
• Any friends or family who are newlywed or moved into a new home and are still building their Judaica collection
• Host and hostess gifts (if you’re being hosted for Rosh Hashanah meals)

Gifts Ideas from Israel that are perfect for anyone:

• Israeli honey
• Israeli date honey
• Israeli wine
• Rosh Hashanah gift baskets
• Pomegranate jewelry
• Pomegranate art & home décor

Rosh Hashanah Gifts for College Students or Young Adults

If you have a child who has flown from the nest and is away at college or will be spending the High Holidays in their own apartment far from home, you can make sure they have the essentials for a sweet new year.

Israel’s favorite designers often make Rosh Hashanah kits with holiday Judaica and tableware essentials, such as this Yair Emanuel gift set, this pomegranate-themed set, this Armenian Ceramics gift box, and this Jerusalem-themed set. 

Rosh Hashanah Gifts for Kids

While Rosh Hashanah presents may not be as common as Hanukkah presents, our shop has dozens of kid-friendly gifts, such as Hebrew name jewelry, build-your-own-Temple kits, kid-sized Judaica, and interactive puzzles that help bring Jewish history and heritage to life for the little ones.

Looking for gift giving inspiration? Check out our guide to the top Rosh Hashanah gifts for kids here!

CHECKLIST:

1. If you are being hosted for meals, do you have something to bring along as a “thank you“?
2. Do you know who you need to shop for?
3. Do you have a budget and/or know how much you want to spend on each gift?
4. If you are buying gifts made in Israel, are you ordering ahead of time to ensure they arrive on time?
5. Do you send Shana Tova cards each year? If so, have you ordered them?

If you are hosting dinner or lunch on Rosh Hashanah, or break-fast after Yom Kippur, it’s important to plan and stay organized so nothing falls through the cracks and you aren’t scrambling at the last moment.

Not only is there food to cook and serve: there is the table to beautify with gorgeous made-in-Israel serving bowls, honey dishes, and challah boards. There are also certain ritual items required for several rituals performed and brachot made during the holidays, like Kiddush, hand-washing, and hamotzi.

Here are some examples of essentials that every host should have at their table:

• Challah boards, covers, and knives
• Honey dishes
• Tablecloths and table runners
• Hand towels
• Kiddush cups
• Other assorted tableware

CHECKLIST:

1. Have you invited your guests and inquired about allergies/dietary restrictions?
2. Have you planned your menu(s)? Have you made a grocery list? Don’t forget honey, challah, and wine!
3. Is your Rosh Hashanah tableware in good shape? Does anything need to washed or replaced?
4. Do you have a Kiddush cup for Kiddush during Rosh Hashanah?
5. Do you have a challah board and cover for hamotzi during Rosh Hashanah?
6. Do you have candlesticks for lighting holiday candles?
7. Does your family have a tradition of a Rosh Hashanah seder with simanim (special symbolic foods)? If so, consider a special Rosh Hashanah seder plate to make serving easier!

Your holiday will be extra meaningful if you understand what’s going on and what different traditions and motifs symbolize.

We have been diving into the origins and meanings of different High Holiday rituals and foods, such as pomegranates, shofars, and honey right here on our blog!

CHECKLIST:

1. Are there any traditions or rituals that you want to learn more about?
2. Is your synagogue or local rabbi hosting any classes or lectures related to the High Holidays that you want to sign up for?

While there is plenty to prepare in advance, some things just have to wait until the last moment.

CHECKLIST:

1. Do you have bread designated for tashlich in your pantry?
2. Have you set aside money to perform kapparot?
3. If you go to the mikveh before Rosh Hashanah, do you have an appointment set?
4. Does everyone in your family have a machzor?
5. Have you called family and friends that you won’t be seeing during the Holidays to wish them a sweet and happy new year?
6. Have you thought about the upcoming new year and made any goals or set any intentions for 5784?

That’s it – you’re ready to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and welcome in the new year! Let us know if we forgot anything, or if you found this checklist useful. 

Shana tova u’metukah from the entire Judaica Webstore team in Jerusalem!