Dr. Emily AronoffShakers for Rosh Hashanah: A Musical DIY for Jewish Educators
Looking for a meaningful, hands-on way to bring Rosh Hashanah to life in your early childhood classroom or family program? These Apples and Honey Musical Shakers are a joyful and purposeful way to engage children with the themes of the High Holidays through rhythm, movement, and song.
Symbols and Senses
This project isn’t ‘just’ about crafting. It’s about offering children a chance to connect with Jewish tradition through symbolic play that supports their development. When paired with intentional music experiences, these shakers become tools for exploring the deeper values of Rosh Hashanah- sweetness and shared joy. They’re rhythmic tools that help children experience the holiday with their bodies and their senses, building lasting connections to Jewish tradition through movement and music.
Why Apples and Honey?
Apples dipped in honey are one of the most recognizable symbols of Rosh Hashanah. We eat them to express our hopes for a sweet new year. Meaning deepens when we connect symbols to action.
In Jewish early childhood settings, this kind of symbolic play helps young learners internalize ritual through the body and senses. Shaking along with songs, holding apples and honey in their hands, and repeating familiar phrases gives them a joyful entry point into the spiritual themes of the season.
I use these props as both visual and rhythmic cues in my music sessions, and they pair especially well with songs like:
Materials List:
- Empty apple-shaped containers
- Empty Honey Bears
- Green ribbon for leaves (the plastic ones break off)
- Dry rice, dried beans, or small jingle bells
Scissors
Hot glue gun (adult use only)
Note on fillers:
- Rice creates the softest sound and is ideal when working with large groups or sound-sensitive children
- Beans offer a slightly louder, more tactile rattle
- Bells are the most attention-getting, but can be overstimulating in some settings and quantities
How to Make the Apple and Honey Shakers
I prepare one shaker for each hand per child, plus a few extras in case any break. The process is simple, and once you have your materials prepped, it moves quickly.
Open the red apple container or honey bear bottle.
Scoop in your filler of choice, a small scoop is plenty.
For the apples:
Cut a piece of green ribbon about 3–4 inches long.
Tie a knot at one end and thread it through the hole where the original plastic leaf was. The knot will hold it in place like a new leaf.
Apply hot glue to seal:
For apples, glue around the inside rim, press the two halves together, and let it cool.
For honey bears, add glue inside the lid, screw it on tightly, and let it cool completely.
Once dry, peel off any excess glue if needed—and your shakers are ready for use.
Tips for Sharing
Once the shakers are made, I use them as visual and musical props during High Holiday song sessions. I hold up the apple when we sing “tapuchim,” and the honey bear when we say “dvash.”
One of my favorite songs to pair with this prop set is “5 Little Apples.” It’s engaging, great for counting practice, and perfectly thematic. These props bring the lyrics to life in children’s hands.
Want more music and song support?
If you’re a Jewish music educator, songleader, or early childhood professional looking for practical resources, joyful inspiration, and a supportive network, I invite you to join the Songleading for Kiddos Support Squad! Through curriculum, coaching, and community, we will lighten your load and lift your leadership.
