Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, the first of the High Holy Days which end on Yom Kippur.
Rosh Hashanah comes 163 days after the first day of Passover. That can be anywhere from September 5 to October 5.
Rosh Hashanah 2019
Rosh Hashanah 2019 is from sundown on Sunday, September 29 to Tuesday, October 1, 2019.
Rosh Hashanah 2018
Rosh Hashanah 2018 is from sundown on Sunday, September 9 to sundown on Tuesday, September 11.
New York City schools will probably be closed Monday – Tuesday, September 10 – 11.
Rosh Hashanah Traditions
Rosh Hashanah is the day when God created Adam and Eve.
Traditions vary between Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and even regional practice.
The most important Rosh Hashanah tradition is to hear the sound of the Shofar (a ram’s horn) on Rosh Hashanah mornings. For this we go to the synagogue.
Some traditions practice Tashlikh, the ritual casting of sins into water. Some of us walk to flowing water and empty our pockets into the river. Some of us put small pieces of bread in our pockets beforehand to enhance the symbolism.
In the evening, women light candles and recite blessings.
Rosh Hashanah is a holiday feast. We eat apples dipped in honey to symbolize our wishes for a sweet new year. The many seeds of pomegranates symbolize fruitful wishes.
L’shanah tovah