Anyada Buena, Shanah Tovah: Educator Guide
Elementary School (Grades K-5)
A free educator guide to Sarah Aroeste’s board book about a Sephardic family’s Rosh Hashanah, with Ladino greetings, a seder plate coloring page, and a pumpkin burekas recipe.
Overview
In this rhyming board book by Ladino singer and author Sarah Aroeste, illustrated by Maria Mola, a little girl and her Sephardic family welcome the Jewish New Year with the greeting Anyada buena, “a good year” in Ladino, and a Rosh Hashanah seder of symbolic foods. The free educator guide explains Ladino and the Sephardic Rosh Hashanah seder for teachers and families and offers simple activities for young children.
Questions Students Explore
- How do Sephardic families welcome the New Year?
- What is Ladino, and who speaks it?
- What wishes do we have for a good year?
What Students Do
- Listen to the book and learn to say Anyada buena.
- Color a Rosh Hashanah seder plate with its eight symbolic foods.
- Draw their own foods and wishes for the year, and cook pumpkin burekas with an adult.
At a Glance
Grade level: Ages 1 to 4 (preschool and kindergarten)
Time: One or two short sessions
Source: Sarah Aroeste and Kar-Ben Publishing (2025)
About this resource
This educator guide was created by Sarah Aroeste and published by Kar-Ben (Lerner Publishing Group), which allows it to be reproduced for free educational use. It is not a JIMENA lesson. Teachers will need a copy of the book.
Downloads
- Educator Guide Anyada Buena, Shanah Tovah Educator Guide (PDF, Kar-Ben)
Download the educator guide from Kar-Ben Opens on karben.com
Procedures
Before You Teach
- Get the book: Anyada Buena, Shanah Tovah by Sarah Aroeste, illustrated by Maria Mola (Kar-Ben, 2025).
- Print the seder plate coloring page and the “Create Your Own” page from the guide.
Body of Lesson
Activities in the Guide
- Read the book together and practice the Ladino and Hebrew greetings.
- Learn about the eight symbolic foods of the Sephardic Rosh Hashanah seder.
- Color the seder plate.
- Create Your Own: draw eight foods and a wish for each.
- Cook pumpkin burekas with an adult.
Conclusion
Reflection
Children share one wish for the new year and the food they chose to go with it.
Extension Activities
- Listen. Play Sarah Aroeste’s song “Anyada Buena,” linked by QR code in the book.
- Taste. Older students can explore JIMENA’s Middle Eastern and North African Jewish Cuisine.
- More Ladino. Teachers can learn more in the Jewish Language Project on JIMENA’s Toolkit.
Resources and External Links
- Anyada Buena, Shanah Tovah Educator Guide (PDF)
Kar-Ben Publishing - Ancestry and Languages
JIMENA, Sephardi & Mizrahi Education Toolkit - Sephardi & Mizrahi Education Toolkit
JIMENA