Shana Tovah!

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year (well, not the only one!) and is a time to reflect and reset. Yom Kippur follows ten days later. Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we go through the Days of Awe, in which we reflect on ourselves over the past year and try to make amends. These holidays challenge us to improve ourselves and our relations, while setting us up for a sweet year to come.  

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Below you will find some tips and information about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with links to guides from other great resources. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

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Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah takes place over two days, the first night usually including services and a big meal after. The holiday's most common symbols are apples and honey (in ancient times, most likely date syrup!). To greet others during this holiday, you can wish everyone Shana Tovah! This means “may you have a happy new year!” You could also say Shana Tova Umetuqa which translates to "a good and sweet new year."

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On the first full day of Rosh Hashanah, morning services are followed by Tashlich, where you cast your past sins into a moving body of water, usually in the form of breadcrumbs. That evening, you might even hear a shofar (ram's horn) blown.  

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Traditional Foods and Blessings for Rosh Hashanah 

​The first night of Rosh Hashanah is marked by a big meal, which you can choose to use a seder for. Check out this wonderful seder compiled by the Schusterman Foundation, to help guide you in your reflections. Jewish Days also still has some Rosh Hashanah boxes with fun crafts, activities, and a child friendly seder.  

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Round Challah for the New Year 

For Rosh Hashanah, turn your long challah loaf into a braided circle. Here’s a how-to on braiding the dough in a circle. 

 

A classic recipe for challah can be found here, or a vegan loaf here. If you do gluten-free challah, please send us your recipe!

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Seder Plate Foods

Here are other traditional foods besides round challah you might want at your Rosh Hashanah dinner. 

• Dates 

• Pomegranate seeds

• String Beans

• Leeks or scallions

• Beets

• Gourd

• Carrot 

• Animal Head–for traditionalists, you can add a fish or ram’s head (symbolizing “head of the year). For the vegetarians among us, a head of lettuce, Goldfish crackers, and any other food punning on the word “head” are all acceptable variations. 

• Apples with honey or date-syrup.

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Whatever you do and however you celebrate, those of us at MJP wish you a Shana Tovah!

 

Yom Kippur 

Rosh Hashanah begins the Days of Awe, ending with Yom Kippur. During this time, we think about those we’ve wronged and actions we’re not proud of. Yom Kippur is a 25 hour fast, beginning ten days after Rosh Hashanah. Since it's a fast, there are no fun recipes here for you! But some have traditions around breaking fasts, sometimes with dairy. Kaelie, here at MJP, keeps with this and has a blueberry bagel with cream cheese. (And a root beer.)

 

Yom Kippur services include the Kol Nidre as well as Unetanah Tokef (revised here by Leonard Cohen and covered here by PJ Harvey). We traditionally end Yom Kippur with a wish that we be sealed in the Book of Life for the coming year. You can greet others by saying g’mar chatima tovah (pronounced gih-MAR chah-tee-MAH toe-VAH).

 

Check out Reform Judaism’s guide for safe fasting and their annual reflection questions to guide you through this holiday. For those of you who fast on Yom Kippur, may your fast be easy and may something delicious await you at the end. 

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Shanah Tovah from everyone at MJP!