Rosh HaShanah

Rosh HaShanah (literally, “Head of the Year”) is the Jewish New Year, which marks the beginning of a 10-day period of prayer, self-examination and repentance. This period, known as the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe or High Holy Days), is widely observed by Jews throughout the world, many with prayer and reflection in a synagogue. There also are several holiday rituals observed at home.

Rosh HaShanah is celebrated on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which—because of differences in the solar and lunar calendar—corresponds to September or October on the secular calendar. Customs associated with the holiday include sounding the shofar, eating a round challah, and tasting apples and honey to represent a sweet New Year.

History Preparations Glossary Customs Blessings Selichot Services Rosh HaShanah Family Activities Celebrating Rosh HaShanah with Shalom Sesame: Sounding the Shofar Watch this Shalom Sesame video with your children and try these fun activities to explore and learn more about the shofar, Rosh HaShanah and the High Holidays! A Parent’s Guide to Surviving the High Holidays Quiz: How Much Do You Know About the High Holidays? Sing Along with Rosh HaShanah Hannah Styrofoam Apples for Rosh HaShanah Colorful Rosh HaShanah Apples Making Rosh HaShanah Cards with Kids Make an Apple into a Honey Bowl PJ Library’s What a Way to Start a New Year: A Rosh HaShanah Story View All Family Activities Rosh HaShanah Food and Recipes   Eight Rosh HaShanah Foods to Prepare in Advance for a Stress-Free Holiday Whether you’re preparing a meal for four or for 40, making a successful holiday dinner can be an overwhelming, frantic experience. But with some advance planning, it doesn’t have to be! Easy Brisket The Shanahtini Cocktail Bubbe’s Famous Brisket Apple-Honey Jello Shots Fresh Apple Cake Vegetarian Chopped Liver Quick Honey Cake Apples and Honey Cake Bread Pudding Deluxe Noodle Kugel View All Recipes How-to Videos Rabbi Leora Kaye explans the ritual of blowing shofar. How to blow the shofar More videos: Kids try High Holiday traditions How to tashlich How to make round challah How to make quick honey cake View All Videos

WHEN IS ROSH HASHANAH? Sept 10-11, 2018 Holidays Calendar SEND YOUR GREETINGS Send free e-cards and add a recipe, blessing or video. Create Your eCard Social Justice A High Holidays Social Justice Guide Starting the new year is an opportunity to reaffirm the Jewish tradition’s longstanding commitment to tikkun olam (repair of the world). Read More