L’shana tovah!
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and literally means “head of the year” in Hebrew. As the celebration is based on the Hebrew calendar which is more than a week shorter than the Gregorian calendar, the exact dates are different each year. This year it will begin on the 25th of September (the first day of the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar) and will end on the evening of the 27th of September.
Why is Rosh Hashanah celebrated?
It doesn’t only represent a new year, but also, it’s the time to review one’s relationship with God.
The celebration takes place for two days. During these two days, people look back at the past year and ask for forgiveness for their wrongful actions and thoughts of them. Also, people re-prioritize their lives.
How is Rosh Hashanah celebrated?
Jewish people don’t work during those two days and spend a lot of time in synagogues. A trumpet made from a ram or kosher animal’s horn makes a sound that is interpreted as a call to repent of sins and seek forgiveness from God.
The celebration day starts with honey and apple which are the symbolic food of Rosh Hashanah as the sweetness represents a sweet year around the corner.
iCAN member Alexander Margolin, Managing Director of Sioma Insurance Consultants shared what Rosh Hashanah means to him:
“The Jewish New Year is a time for both reflection and celebration with our families and our community. We wish each other a sweet new year with customs such as dipping apples in honey and honey cake. I wish all of the Jewish people in the insurance community a “shana tova” which literally means “a good year”.
Interesting facts:
The celebration begins at sundown
The average length of a shofar /ram’s horn/ is 10 inches
Pomegranate seeds are symbolic of many commandments that Jewish people must fulfil
It was first celebrated in the 2nd century
God judges all creatures during the 10 days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Things you can do during Rosh Hashanah:
Use the greeting L’shana tovah (for a good year) with your Jewish friends and colleagues,
Visit the most beautiful synagogues in England https://heritagecalling.com/2015/08/07/top-synagogues/
Visit the Jewish Museum in London https://jewishmuseum.org.uk/
Try these popular Rosh Hashanah recipes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IxvVj8C6vk
You can learn more about Rosh Hashanah via the below links!