What Is Rosh Hashanah?

Lila Rosenfield's "What Is Rosh Hashanah?" addresses common inquiries about the Jewish New Year for young readers aged 8 to 12. The narrative follows ten-year-old Noah as he collects questions from his classmates, seeking answers from various individuals who observe the holiday in distinct ways, including a rabbi, a baker, a shofar blower, a grandparent, and two friends with differing family customs. This approach provides an accessible explanation of the holiday, illustrating that a single question can encompass historical, practical, and personal dimensions.

The book incorporates photo-style diagrams and concise sidebars to clarify concepts such as the Hebrew calendar, the Days of Awe, synagogue terminology, Tashlich, common greetings, and traditional foods. A dedicated spread on simanim offers cultural and linguistic context for these symbolic foods. The text distinguishes between commandments, customs, interpretations, and recent popular practices, and it notes that some students miss school for the holiday, that observance begins at sundown, and that respectful curiosity does not imply a right to private details. "Check the Claim" boxes at the end of each chapter encourage young researchers to identify oversimplifications, such as characterizing Rosh Hashanah solely as "Jewish New Year's Eve."