Are you ready for Rosh Hashana? Have you planned your Rosh Hashana meal,
replete with apples, honey and fish? Have you begun repenting and
casting off your sins? Have you brushed up on the significance of the
holiday and its many traditions? If not—don't worry. We've got you
covered.
Kid friendly
Here
at Appaholic, we know your iPhone regularly doubles as a pacifier for
your rowdy toddler—and perhaps teenager. That's why we included the Rosh Hashanah sliding puzzle app, a nice holiday themed game that won't only distract your toddler, but offer timely and educational entertainment.
Cost: $0.99
Supported formats: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
Repentance on the Go
Some
would say that many rabbis are largely against trying to modernize
Judaism, but in this fast paced, 24-7, always-on-the-go world, something
has to give. The rabbis haven't weighed in on this personally, but
we've got a feeling that the iTashlich
app would even please this skeptical group. As the New Year approaches,
it's time to not only celebrate but to amend for last year's
transgressions. Tashlich typically refers to the symbolic casting off of
sins by reading passages from the Torah that allude to casting off sins
into bodies of water.
Cost: $0.99
Supported formats: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
Advanced Rosh Hashana
Rosh Hashana beginners beware: This app my not be for you. We recommend Rusty Brick's Selichos
app for advanced Rosh Hashana worshipers who have a firm grasp on
customs and religious aspects to the holiday. This app contains the
prayers of penitence that are said in the days leading up to and during
the High Holy Days period. The app, however, is primarily in Hebrew, and
some may find it a little user-unfriendly. For those who aren't
intimidated by Hebrew and simply want portable selichot, however, the
app is a solid choice and won't disappoint.
Cost: $2.99
Supported formats: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
Jewish jingles
Get into the spirit of the High Holy Days by downloading another Rusty Brick app, simply called Shofar.
This app will allow you to hear all the sounds of the shofar on your
smartphone. Before using, make sure your phone is off vibrate and the
volume is all the way up. Try not to annoy your co-workers (especially
non-tribe members) by blasting the "shofar" throughout the office.
Cost: Free
Supported formats: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
Animated Rosh Hashana
Not all apps need to be segregated between adults and children. Rabbi Shalom's Shana Tova
app offers fun for the whole family. The app is designed to teach the
Rosh Hashana blessings and the holiday seder traditions according to the
Sephardic custom. The colorful, illustrated app is available in both
English and French. An animated "Rabbi Shalom" will explain the
significance of the holiday, as well as walk you through the meaning
behind some of the customs, such as eating fish and sweet foods.
Cost: 1.99
Supported formats: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
Appaholic
is a bi-weekly column which thematically reviews mobile apps with a
Jewish or Israeli twist. If you have an app to suggest, send details to appaholic.jpost@gmail.com
The writer is The Jerusalem Post‘s Social Media Manager
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