Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It is a time of prayer and self-reflection, as we look back on our actions during the past year and consider ways to improve ourselves, our communities and our world in the year to come. It’s also a special occasion when Jews gather with their families, friends and community.

Rosh Hashanah, the Head of the Year, is observed on 1 Tishri in the Hebrew calendar – typically falling in September or October. Along with Yom Kippur, it forms the High Holy Days.

This sacred time invites introspection and spiritual renewal. The preceding month of Elul is dedicated to preparation, with many communities sounding the shofar daily to awaken the soul and stir reflection.

While most Progressive communities observe only one day of Rosh Hashanah, some celebrate over two days.

Rosh Hashanah traditions include:

• Attending special prayer services that are held on both the evening and morning of Rosh Hashanah in Progressive Jewish communities. Many synagogues offer a variety of formats – from traditional liturgy to explanatory, teen-focused, and family-friendly services.
• Listening to the sound of the shofar. The piercing call of the ram’s horn, typically heard toward the end of the morning service, is a central and stirring moment. It is meant to awaken the heart and call us to return to our highest selves.
• Taking part in tashlich. On the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, many gather near flowing water to symbolically cast off the misdeeds of the past year by tossing breadcrumbs or wildlife-safe food – an act of release and renewal.
• Eating symbolic foods. The most well-known is apples dipped in honey, expressing our hope for a sweet and fruitful year ahead. Round loves of challah are also eaten, representing the cyclical nature of time and our yearning for shleimut – wholeness and peace.
• Greeting one with the customary words Shana Tova (U’metukah) – a good (and sweet) year”.
• Sharing a meal with family and friends, welcoming Rosh Hashanah together.

Rosh Hashanah is known as the Jewish New Year, although intriguingly it is one of four ‘New Years’ mentioned in Jewish tradition and occurs in the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar.

In the Torah, Rosh Hashanah is referred to as Yom T’ruah, the day of sounding the horn, but its Biblical origins are sparse with few details about its observance.

It is through later rabbinic texts that Rosh Hashanah becomes infused with its profound themes: remembrance, judgment and the opportunity for spiritual return.

Rosh Hashanah also marks the beginning of the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah –the Ten Days of Repentance – which culminate in Yom Kippur.

During this period, we are encouraged to seek forgiveness from those we may have wronged and to repair broken relationships, both human and divine.

Equally important, it is an opportunity to look forward and consider how we can grow personally, strengthen our communities, and contribute to a better world in the year ahead.

If you want to experience Rosh Hashanah in a welcoming, inclusive, and egalitarian setting, we’d love to welcome you into one of our Progressive congregations.