Jewish Americans observe Rosh Hashanah ‘The New Year’ on Sept. 9-11

Report by Paula Antolini
September 8, 2018, 8:37AM EDT 

Jewish Americans observe Rosh Hashanah ‘The New Year’ on Sept. 9-11

Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the two “High Holy Days” in the Jewish religion.

Many Jewish Americans observe Rosh Hashanah, known as the New Year in the Jewish calendar, for two days, while others celebrate the event for one day. It is a time of family gatherings, special meals and sweet foods. Many Jewish people celebrate Rosh Hashana by eating challah bread and apples dipped in honey.

The fish also symbolizes the translation of Rosh Hashanah, which means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. A pretty, symbolic bread called challah is baked, sweetened with raisins and braided into a round shape. Apples are dipped in honey, again symbolizing sweetness.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on Sunday, September 9, 2018. Rosh Hashanah ends at nightfall on Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

“L’shanah tovah tikateiv v’tichateimu” … translates from the Hebrew to “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”

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