A story of being welcomed into a new community. Along the way, the reader learns about Rosh Hashanah symbols, the value of community, and, of course, hachnasat orchim (hospitality). - Marla S. ( )

The book, “What a Way to Start a New Year!” is an intriguing Rosh Hashanah story for teachers to incorporate in their classrooms. Not only is this a multicultural text, but it also is a story that pushes readers to think about tougher issues, particularly moving to a new community. With this being said, the characters are very relatable. A young boy and girl go through a transition that neither of them wants to partake in. But, in the end, they meet new friends and still have the opportunity to celebrate Rosh Hashanah the way they always have. This story introduces higher-level vocabulary words regarding the Jewish holiday. Some of these words include: challah, temple, synagogue, and cantor. This book is a great choice for shared reading, whereas students can join in on the repetitive phrase, “What a way to start a new year!” Overall, the central message of this story is to present the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, while encouraging readers that there is a positive in everything! ( )

This book is about celebrating Rosh Hashanah. It informs the reader about some aspects of the holiday, such as the food. The family eats brisket and apple pie to bring in the new year. Dina realized that the most important part of the holiday is family and friends. Her family moved to a new house and they found great friends at the new synagogue. Holidays are great times of the year that are best shared with the people who care for each other. They celebrated the holiday with a religious ceremony, traditional foods, and her new friends. ( )