DIY Happy Rosh Hashanah Cards for Kids
Did you know it is customary to send out cards for Rosh Hashanah wishing your friends and loved ones a sweet new year? It may be just another couple of days in September (this year it’s September 29th through Oct 1st) to everyone else but if you are Jewish it is an important time to reflect on the past and wish everyone a sweet new year to come. It’s even nice if you’re not Jewish.
I thought it would be fun to make some pomegranate cards since the pomegranate is a symbol of Rosh Hashanah.
Pomegranates are eaten at Rosh Hashanah as part of the “new fruit” blessing (they come into season right around the end of September) and because of their layered symbolism and meaning in the Jewish religion. Pomegranates have about 613 seeds which correspond with the 613 commandments found in the Torah.
And they’re pretty!
Since pomegranates themselves weren’t quite in season when I set out to do this craft (and because I don’t know how well they would work as a stamp) I opted to stamp with some common household items: a potato and a pencil eraser! Probably things you already have on hand at home, too!
First, I cut my potato in half and carved out a simple pomegranate shape like in the drawing below:
Since potatoes are already naturally oval, it’s easy to create the top fringe or calyx by cutting away the negative space. Just three notches and a little shaving on the sides with a sharp knife. For the inside of the pomegranate just cut the top and sides and then carve a circle in the middle and remove the center with a grapefruit spoon. (Please have a responsible adult do this part of the craft.)
Next, you’ll need to mix up some pomegranate-colored paint. I did this by mixing a little brown in with red paint. (Please use water-based children’s acrylic paint.) If you have small children participating, I recommend washable paint and an apron. It’s always good to be on the safe side. Don’t mix your paint too well though, the variegation of color will make the pomegranate stamp look more natural.
Cut up some card stock that will fit into whatever envelopes you have on hand and get ready for some stamping fun!
At this point, I handed the craft off to the kids. They painted the potatoes and started stamping with very little instruction. It’s pretty intuitive.
Stamp! Stamp! Stamp!
To imitate the pomegranate seeds, we just stuck a nice new pencil eraser in the paint and stamped with that. Easy!
Then let your cards dry and soon you’ll be ready to send some sweet new year greetings!
L’ Shana Tovah!
More Rosh Hashanah Crafts from Alpha Mom:
1. Sweet Little DIY Honey Bee Cards for Rosh Hashanah!
2. Make a Shofar to Celebrate the Jewish New Year
