Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the New Year according to the Hebrew calendar. This year, Jewish celebrate this event from the sundown on September 13 to the evening of September 15. This is the only Jewish Holiday that is observed for two days, the rest are celebrated for one day only.
Rosh Hashanah literally translates into “head of the year” and it is the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days. It is believed that Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, as well as the “day of judgment” when God opens the book of life and decides who shall live and who shall die.
Rosh Hashanah is usually commemorated by Traditional gatherings in synagogues for extended services. Also, families have special dinner with sweet foods, especially apples dipped in honey believing that this will lead to a sweet year. Challah is circular bread that is also common on Rosh Hashanah dinners as it represents the circle of life.
Another practice that symbolizes Rosh Hashanah is traveling to a nearby body of water and throwing in some pieces of bread; it is called the ritual of tashlikh and it symbolizes the “casting off” of sins.
From all of us at Niagara Foundation, Shanah Tovah!