High Holidays

What is Rosh Hashanah? 

October 3 - 4, 2024  • 1 - 2 Tishrei, 5785

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, signifies the day on which G-d completed the creation of the world. Rosh Hashanah denotes the start of the Days of Awe, which are the 10 days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur. These days are used for introspection and reflection on the mistakes of the past year and the changes to make for the coming year. 

Traditions

• Apples are dipped in honey to symbolize our desire to have a sweet new year.

• The common greeting for this time of year is Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year).

• A total of 100 notes are sounded on each day from the
Shofar (ram’s horn). The sound of the shofar serves as a “wake-up call” to begin the process of intense introspection.

What is Yom Kippur?

October 12, 2024 • 10 Tishrei, 5785

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the day we ask G-d for forgiveness for our sins from the past year and ask Him to write our name in the Book of Life. Yom Kippur is a complete 25-hour fast from all food and drink (including water) beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur ends with one final blast of the Shofar and a prayer that “next year may we be in Jerusalem!”

Click here for a PDF of our High Holidays infographic