Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah

Beginning at sundown Friday, Sept. 18, and continuing through Sunday, Sept 20, Jews will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

In North America, Ramadan began Saturday, Aug. 22 and also ends on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is believed that during this month the Qu’ran, the Muslim holy book, was revealed to the prophet Mohammad.

It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan, lasting the entire month. During this time, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. In addition to refraining from food and drink during this time, Muslims must not partake in gossip, unlawful activities or thoughts.

 
It is a time of worship and contemplation and a time to strengthen family and community ties,

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world 5768 years ago.

The Hebrew words Rosh Hashanah mean “head of the year” or “first of the year.”

According to Jewish beliefs, Rosh Hashanah gives humans the opportunity to change their moral stance through the religious process of repentance, known as Teshuvah.

It is a time for introspective prayer.

The period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is known as the 10 days of repentance and is the most solemn time in the Jewish calendar.

Teshuvah is made up of three stages. The first stage is the recognition of one’s faltering approach of the past. Regret and resolve to change one’s course of action in the future is stage two. The final stage is the actual change in a person’s ethical behavior in the upcoming year.

One of Rosh Hashanah’s symbols is the ram’s horn. The ram’s horn, known as the shofar, is reminiscent of the horn of the ram which was offered by the Biblical Patriarch Abraham as a sacrifice in lieu of his beloved son Isaac. Thus the shofar reminds people of Abraham’s paramount faith in God’s Commands, which control destiny and justice.

The shofar is often sounded to awaken the listener to the need to repent and seek reconciliation with family, friends and neighbors.

On Rosh Hashanah it is customary to eat apple dipped in honey, symbolizing hope for a sweet and happy year, and other traditional foods.

Agudath Israel

This year Congregation Agudath Israel’s High Holy Day services will be held at the synagogue, 20 Academy Road in Caldwell.

On Friday evening, Sept. 18, Rosh Hashanah services will be at 6 p.m.

Services on Saturday, Sept. 19, will be held at 8 a.m. with the sermon at 10:30 a.m. Mincha/Maariv will be at 6:40 p.m.

On Sunday, Sept. 20, the service will begin at 8 a.m. with the sounding of the shofar at 10:15 a.m. and the sermon at 10: 45 a.m.

Tashlich will meet at 5:40 p.m. at Congregation Agudath Israel on Academy Road to walk to Grover Cleveland Park on Brookside Avenue. Mincha/Maariv is at 6:40 p.m.

Temple Sholom

Temple Sholom of West Essex, a modern reform congregation, located at 760 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, under the leadership of Rabbi Laurence Groffman and Cantor Betsey Peters-Epstein. Plans are set for families to celebrate and share the spirit of the holidays.

Erev Rosh Hashanah worship will begin at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18.

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah an intergenerational worship service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and a traditional worship service will be held at 11:15 a.m.

Worshippers will return to temple at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, for an open community service that culminates with a Tashlich service.

The Second Day Rosh Hashanah service on Sunday, Sept. 20, will be an alternative liturgy, “Probing the Heart,” from 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.