Explore the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with a creative self-reflection activity that helps kids consider who they are and who they’re becoming.

The seasonal shift from summer to fall celebrates both abundance, as seen in the many harvest festivals from various cultures, and reflection, as marked by rituals and traditions from around the world. For example, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time of self-reflection and renewal, when people look back on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead. This year, Rosh Hashanah starts on the evening of September 11 and ends at sundown September 13.

One way to mark this seasonal shift is through creativity. The following excerpt from “The Art of Jewish Joy: Crafts and Activities for Celebration and Connection” by Amanda Kingloff and Suzy Ultman, published by Chronicle Books 2026, leads readers in a fun self-reflection exercise, perfect for the start of a new year, new chapter or any new beginning.

Mind Maps, An Introduction

Taking lessons from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, start the year with creative ways to look inward, learning from mistakes and building on strengths.

“Since I was little, the High Holiday season has felt special—a time to spend with family, practice gratitude, and reflect. I can remember the excitement of picking out a new dress for synagogue and baking apple treats. I loved sitting with my parents and sisters for services, reading Hebrew, making up games to pass the time, and finding moments of connection. After a full day of services, we’d leave the building, walking into the crisp and joyful fall day. I could feel change in the air! Over the years, I still look to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as a reminder to pause, spend time with family, and create space for intentional reflection. On Rosh Hashanah, my family takes a long walk in the woods. We chat about the past year—things that were great, things that were challenging, things we’d like to take with us, and things we’d like to let go. Come Yom Kippur, we feel more grounded as individuals and as a family, and we’re ready to step forward into the new year.”  —Suzy Ultman

“Yom Kippur is my favorite holiday, even without the typical holiday goodness like food, decorations, costumes, and general merriment. Yom Kippur is more like an exercise—it’s about taking stock of life, asking hard questions, and looking ahead to change. Before my kids could read or write, I started a Yom Kippur tradition that continues to this day—we take a blanket to the park, leave all digital devices at home, and chat about how we want to grow and change. In their early years, this ritual was mostly about more precise cartwheels and better spelling, but as my kids have grown older, we write down more introspective goals for ourselves and share what values are important to us and, in turn, to our family unit. (It’s fun to reread what we wrote the previous year!) My lesson to my kids is that we are always works in progress—changing, growing, making mistakes, and then course-correcting. And the idea that this practice is built into Judaism feels like a true gift.”  —Amanda Kingloff

Mind Maps: Self-Reflection Silhouettes

Whether you’re kicking off a new year or embarking on a fresh chapter, every adventure needs a map. Not the kind with winding roads and jagged mountain peaks, but one that charts who you are and who you’re becoming. Inspired by the timeless charm of silhouette art, this project invites you to create a portrait that speaks from the inside out. Think of it as a snapshot of your hopes, dreams, quirks, and qualities—all wrapped into a one-of-a-kind self-portrait that’s as meaningful as it is creative.

SUPPLIES

1. On scrap paper with pencil, write down a list of words that describe you! You can brainstorm alone or as a family.

2. With scissors, cut out the face template and trace it onto the cereal box with a pencil, or draw your own. Then, cut out your cardboard silhouette.

3. Lightly draw in facial features, hair, and any accessories with a pencil.

4. If you want to spread the words all around the profile shape, use your pencil to divide the face into sections that match the number of words on your list from step 1. Using your paints and a paintbrush, paint the facial features and each section a different color.

5. If you want to only include the words within the hair, paint the face first, let dry, and then draw lines to create the appropriate number of sections to match your list from step 1.

6. Write the words from the list that you made in step 1 to fill all of the spaces on your silhouette.