Making Yom Kippur meaningful for children is difficult, since it isn’t exactly a holiday for kids.
Nevertheless, Vicky Kelman, director of family education at the S.F.-based Bureau of Jewish Education, has some suggestions.
n Wear white. “White is what shrouds are; it is clean and represents starting over, being clean and spotless inside and outside,” said Kelman. Going shopping for white clothing before the holiday can be a pre-holiday activity.
n Have a family meeting. “Members of the family can think of things to say ‘sorry’ about in the past year and think of resolutions to be better in the year to come,” she suggested.
n Have kids think of things they feel sorry about. Kelman said writing them down on a board, and then erasing them, makes a lasting impression. Then have them write what they hope to do better. This can also be done with invisible ink, for the things they feel sorry for, and in real ink for their improvements.
n Get kids involved in acts of tzedakah. “Choose food for a food bank or volunteer at a local soup kitchen,” said Kelman. n
— alexandra j. wall