If you’re like me, the spiritual journey of the Jewish High Holidays is something you never feel completely ready for even on Rosh Hashanah morning. Or maybe you’re not like me; maybe you feel 100% prepared every year, or maybe you’ve never really celebrated Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur before and you’re curious, but aren’t sure where to start.
Well my friend, whoever you are — I think it’s time we invested in a journal.
In my humble opinion, there’s no one right way to engage in the teshuvah, tefillah and tzedakah (repentance, prayer and righteous deeds) of the High Holidays. But a journal, planner or straight-up notebook offers a concrete way to organize all your meditations on 5785 and hopes for 5786.
From Hey Alma’s Days of Awe Journal to a classic Moleskin, from journaling prompts to blank pages, the list below has an option for every kind of self-reflective queen. Happy reflecting and happy (almost) Rosh Hashanah!
Everything we recommend below is independently selected by Hey Alma’s editors. If you buy a product through our links, Hey Alma may earn an affiliate commission, which goes to support our nonprofit media organization.
Hey Alma’s Days of Awe Journal is a beautiful virtual diary filled with writing prompts, encouragement and Jewish quotes (ranging from Hillel to Seinfeld, obv). It’s meant to help you make the most of a moment that’s full of possibility during the sacred 10-day period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. And it's totally free! (Please note: The Hey Alma Days of Awe Journal is available via digital download and email.)
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Based on the Hebrew calendar, this planner contains monthly teachings, illustrations and journal prompts. And look how gorgeous!
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Enter this Jewish New Year with some gentleness! Choose from ten embroidery options, all with various wildflowers, and even get this notebook personalized. You can also choose whether you want the paper to be white or brown and lined or blank.
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When in doubt, a Moleskin can never fail you. Choose from color options like red, myrtle green, hydrangea blue, lilac and more.
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For on-the-go journalers, try this pocket-sized Moleskin! It comes in sage green and as a pack of two for extra reflections.
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This hybrid planner-journal is recommended by The Strategist, so we had to include it on this list. Each one is three-months long, helping you set, maintain and achieve goals over the course of 90 days.
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Treat yourself to a leather(ette)-bound journal! It's the perfect option if you want to think about this past year and the year to come, all the while pretending to be fancy.
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If you're a visual thinker, this one is for you! Grids & Guides includes many grid designs (it's made by an architectural press, after all) from lines to triangles to dots!
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