Temple Israel offers a variety of High Holiday experiences for families with children, including babysitting, family services, and youth and teen programs. Children are always welcome in the sanctuary, and we encourage their participation throughout the holidays. Registration is required for all youth programs and babysitting. Changing tables are available in both restrooms, and busy bags and children’s books can be found in the sanctuary and library—just ask an usher. Questions? Contact Erik Martin or Dinah Berch.
Explore the lineup below to see what’s planned for each age group, including hands-on activities, games, and interactive services designed to bring the holidays to life.
Jump to: Rosh Hashanah Day 1 | Rosh Hashanah Day 2 | Yom Kippur | Resources
Babysitting
Beginning at 8:45am in the Preschool Classroom, Our gentle and engaging babysitting program offers a safe, nurturing space for little ones to play and connect during services. With experienced caregivers, age-appropriate toys, and a holiday-themed snack provided, children can enjoy a calm and cozy High Holiday experience while grownups attend services nearby. This program is intended for children aged 2.5 – 6. Diaper changing service not provided.
Registration is required to ensure we can provide proper care for all children.
Family Rosh Hashanah Service
At 9:30am meet us in the Social Hall to celebrate the New Year together with this joyful, musical, and interactive Rosh Hashanah service designed especially for families! With lively singing, storytelling, and age-appropriate prayers, kids and grownups alike will find meaning and connection in this warm and welcoming experience. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian — and we promise it’s just as meaningful for the adults as it is for the kids!
9:30am The Book of Life: Escape Room Adventure for Teens
Teens aged 14-18, join us in the library for this adventure! Arrive on time to participate.
Teens take on the ultimate New Year’s challenge in this immersive, cooperative escape room! With only 90 minutes before the Book of Life is sealed, players must work together to unlock clues hidden in sacred texts, symbols, and stories tied to Teshuvah, Tefillah, and Tzedakah. It’s meaningful and packed with team-based excitement — can your teen beat the clock and be sealed in the book of life?!
10:30-11:30am Activities by Age Group
All children will be brought to the main sanctuary at 11:30am to join for the shofar service.
3-7yos: Apple Necklaces & Shofar Freeze Dance in the Social Hall
Get ready for a sweet and silly start to the year! Little ones will string up their own apple necklaces as a fun Rosh Hashanah keepsake, then jump into the action with Shofar Freeze Dance — a joyful game of movement and listening where kids dance their hearts out and freeze like statues when the “tekiah” sounds. It’s hands-on, high-energy fun with a whole lot of holiday spirit!
8-11yos: Wrapping up Resolutions & Jewpardy in the Classroom
Kids will unwrap their best selves this new year! First, they’ll reflect and share personal goals in “Wrapping Up Resolutions,” crafting meaningful intentions with color and creativity. Then, it’s time to test their Jewish smarts in “Jewpardy,” a spirited game-show-style adventure with categories like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and a mystery round that keeps everyone on their toes!
12-13yos: Lighting up the New Year & Machzor Mayhem in the Boardroom
Middle schoolers dive into the season of reflection with “Lighting Up the New Year,” where they’ll hand-roll their own beeswax candles as a symbol of hope, light, and new beginnings. Then it’s time to get moving in “Machzor Mayhem,” a hilarious, high-energy Rosh Hashanah charades game where players act out holiday themes, customs, and values — no props, no voices, just fun and full-body expression!
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 – Afternoon Community Tashlich & Story Time in the Park
Join us by the water for one of the most beloved High Holiday traditions—Tashlich! Families will gather to symbolically cast away the mistakes of the past year while taking in the beauty of the season. Join us at Prescott Park in Portsmouth, Henry Law Park in Dover, or Swasey Park in Exeter.
Cozy up for Story Time in the Park with Dinah Berch at Prescott Park, where we’ll read sweet and meaningful tales that spark reflection, laughter, and fresh beginnings.
Apple & Honey Blessings Board & Apple Relay Race
Little ones will start the year off sweet with two hands-on, heartwarming activities! First, they’ll add their hopes for the new year to our giant Apple & Honey Blessings Board, filling it with sweetness and kindness for all to see. Then it’s time to get moving with the Apple Relay Race—kids will balance apples and race their way to Rosh Hashanah fun in this active, giggle-filled game where teamwork and celebration go hand in hand!
Sweet Intentions Blessing Scenes & Middot Match-Up
Your kids will explore the power of intention through creativity and play! In “Sweet Intentions Blessing Scenes,” they’ll create mini holiday tableaus that show what a sweet new year could look like—friendship, family, peace, and fun. Then, in “Middot Match-Up,” it’s a fast-paced values card game where kids race to match Jewish virtues (like kindness, courage, and respect) with real-life actions they can take. It’s thoughtful, meaningful, and full of laughs!
Pomegranate Blessing Weave & Teshuva River Run
Middle schoolers will get hands-on and hearts-full in this creative and energetic combo. First, they’ll weave their blessings into a beautiful Pomegranate Tapestry, symbolizing growth, gratitude, and everything they hope to bring into the new year. Then, it’s off to the races in “Teshuva River Run,” a fast-paced game of reflection and return where each station challenges players to let go of what they don’t want to carry forward—and step boldly into who they want to become!
The Path Forward: A Journey Through Values
Get ready to move, think, and reflect! In this active, hands-on values challenge, teens will rotate through a series of interactive stations that bring Jewish middot (values) to life—like courage, kindness, respect, and return. Whether they’re tiptoeing through an obstacle with care, mirroring a friend’s movement in silent teamwork, or sorting out fairness and justice with real-world objects, each stop along the path pushes them to embody the best version of themselves. It’s a physical, meaningful, and totally memorable way to step into the New Year!
Babysitting
Our gentle and engaging babysitting program offers a safe, nurturing space for little ones to play and connect during services. With experienced caregivers, age-appropriate toys, and a holiday-themed snack provided, children can enjoy a calm and cozy High Holiday experience while grownups attend services nearby.
Registration is required to ensure we can provide proper care for all children.
