Rosh Hashanah Bucket Lists
OVERVIEW:
One of the themes of Rosh Hashanah is the idea of New Year. In fact, according to the Talmud, Rosh Hashanah is one of 4 near years (1st of Elul, Rosh Hashanah, Tu Bishvat, Passover).
Just as we try and imagine what the new year will be like on January 1st and set goals and intentions for the new year, we have the same opportunity for Rosh Hashanah – The birthday of the World.
What goals and intentions do you have for yourself? What do you hope to accomplish?
MATERIALS:
- Washi tape to decorate scrolls or sticks
- Marker/pens
PROGRAM OUTLINE:
- Program begins with short discussion about what it means to celebrate a new year, set goals, and have intention going into the new year. (See 2 text ideas below)
- Participants will be given time to think about what kinds of things they want to accomplish in their lives. Do you already have a bucket list? What kinds of things do you want to add to your bucket list?
- Supplies will be set up on tables so that after they have thought about their bucket list, they can create them. You can choose to do popsicle stick jars (1 bucket list idea for each stick) or scrolls (1 paper to roll up for each idea. See example links above.
- Participants have time to create their bucket list jars.
- Finish the program by asking if anyone would share an example from their jar, and how they see themselves choosing an idea and accomplishing it.
Text for Bucket List Goal Setting:
“With the New Year, we have a chance for newness within our hearts, a newness that can change the course of our lives. But change is often frightening, and sometimes we are not sure that we are indeed ready for it. ‘What will this new heart be like?’ We wonder. ‘How will this purified heart change as our spirits are renewed?’ So much uncertainty comes with change. As we stand at the threshold of a New Year, we pray for the valor to face uncertainty, the courage to truly change what needs to be changed, and the faith to welcome the new spirit that is within us.” (Quote from Rabbi Leila Gal Berner in Rosh Hashanah Readings, p. 3 by Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins)
“The following story speaks for itself, in giving us insight into the process of growing wisdom and performing teshuvah;
After a long, hard climb up the mountain, the spiritual seekers finally found themselves in front of the great teacher, bowing deeply they asked the question that had been burning inside them for so long. ‘How do we become wise?’
There was a long pause until the teacher emerged from the meditation. Finally, the reply came: ‘Good choices.’
‘But, teacher, how do we make good choices?’
‘From experience,’ responded the wise one.’
‘And how do we get experience?’
‘Bad choices,’ smiled the teacher.”(Quote from Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins in Rosh Hashanah Readings p. 10)
Note for our Residents and Hosts: This program could use a Jewish Culture and Holiday JIO to cover bucket list supplies.