Community Corner

Jewish New Year Begins at Sundown on Wednesday

Sundown Wednesday night marks the beginning of the two-day holiday of Rosh Hashana, and the beginning of the Jewish year 5774.

By David Mattis

The Jewish new year celebration, known as Rosh Hashanah, begins at sundown on Wednesday with services at area congregations.

Rosh Hashanah means literally "head of the year" in Hebrew. It marks the beginning of a 10-day period of prayer, self-examination, and repentance ending with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This year is 5774 in the Jewish calendar.

Customs observed on Rosh Hashanah include sounding the shofar, a musical instrument made from a ram's horn, and eating sweet foods for a sweet new year.

Many congregations celebrate one day of Rosh Hashanah, while others observe two days.

One practice associated with Rosh Hashanah is Tashlich, a ceremony in which Jews symbolically cast away their sins by tossing pieces of bread into a body of water.

Malibu
Click here for Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue.
Click here for Chabad of Malibu.

Agoura & Calabasas
Click here for Beth Emunah Messianic Temple.
Click here for New Shul of the Conejo.
Click here for Chabad of Conejo.
Click here for Congregation Or Ami services.
Click here for services at the Chabad of Calabasas.

What are your hopes for the New Year? Tell us in the comments.


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