Beginning at sundown Wednesday, Jews worldwide will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, marking the start of the Jewish New Year.
When is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah will begin at sundown on Wednesday and end Friday at sundown. It marks the start of the Jewish High Holidays, a 10-day season that ends with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This day is among the holiest days in Judaism and begins on the first day of Tishrei, marking the start of year 5785 in the Jewish calendar.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah means 'head of the year' or 'first of the year.' The festival is a time for reflection, celebrated with prayer, symbolic foods, and the blowing of a traditional horn called a shofar. It commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection leading to Yom Kippur.
What are the symbolic foods of Rosh Hashanah?
The holiday's foods include honey-dipped apples representing sweetness in the new year, round challah loaves honoring the cycle of life, and pomegranates symbolizing blessings. The head of a fish is also presented, symbolizing fertility and abundance.
Emotions higher than ever this year
This year, emotions run high for many due to the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7, which has forced American Jews to reflect on their own experiences over the past year involving antisemitism and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
When is Yom Kippur?
For 2024, Yom Kippur will be observed from around sunset on Friday, October 11, until after nightfall on Saturday, October 12.
