Rosh Hashanah

Rosh HaShana is the Jewish New Year, a holiday characterized by personal reflection and repentence. Looking ten days ahead to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Jews on Rosh HaShana spend long days in synagogue praying for God's mercy and for a happy, healthy, sweet new year. Rosh HaShana traditions include blowing the shofar, or ram's horn, several times during synagogue services and eating apples dipped in honey, often served on special holiday plates or trays. Many people ask forgiveness of friends and relatives, send Jewish New Year's card at this time and wish one another shana tova u'metuka  -- a good and sweet year.