A Sweet Start to the New Year

PJA 2nd and 3rd graders had a wonderful Rosh Hashanah field trip on Thursday, our first of the year! We began at Bell’s Orchard, where students met the owner, Mr. Bell, picked Honeycrisp apples, and enjoyed a scavenger hunt beneath the trees. On Rosh Hashanah, we eat apples and honey to symbolize a sweet new year, so the orchard was the perfect place to start our celebrations. Afterward, we headed to a nearby park for a picnic, time on the playground, and a mindful walk to the river to practice tashlich (תשליך), the traditional ritual of casting off our mistakes as we reflect on how to become our best selves. With beautiful weather, delicious apples, and meaningful moments of connection, reflection, and gratitude, it was a joyful and memorable way to welcome the new year.