Rosh Hashanah, September 16th - 18th, 2012

This year, Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) starts on 9/16 and ends 9/18. Traditionally, the High Holy Day dinner table is adorned with big platters of symbolic sweet foods such as apples dipped in honey and candles in colorful votive holders. A bouquet of fresh Rosh Hashanah flowers will complement the table decorations beautifully!

Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning "first of the year" lasts two days. This is the only Jewish holiday which lasts for two entire days, the reason for this is to emphasize its importance. Jews commonly greet each other with "L'shannah tovah tikatev v'taihatem" which in Hebrew means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year". Or "Shana Tova" is the shorter greeting meaning "A Good Year."

Jews believe that this time is a judgment day when God decides how the next year will go for individuals by balancing their good and bad deeds. Rosh Hashanah falls 163 days after the beginning of Passover. It is a time where people make resolutions and reflect on their personal lives, goals, aspirations and achievements. During Rosh Hashanah, Jews are not permitted to work and most of the day is spent in a synagogue, customs include sounding the shofar and eating symbolic sweet Kosher foods.