SUGGESTIONS FOR FAMILY CELEBRATION

Explain to children that teshuvah (repentence) means asking others for forgiveness, as well as asking for forgiveness from God. Parents can serve as models by acknowledging mistakes and wrongdoing and asking for forgiveness from one another and from their children.

You might choose a special time to decide on one or two family values to highlight this year, such as patience, appreciation, helpfulness, or better communication. This is a great time to make and send cards to family and friends who are far away. Families may decide collectively where the year's tzedakah should be distributed or choose a family tzedakah project for the coming year

It is always great to include the entire family in meal preparation, and this is a time to practice the mitzvah of hospitality by inviting people whose families are far away or who are new to town. Some people buy a special holiday outfit, get a haircut and generally "spiff up" at this time of year.