| Every year around the American calendar months | | | | mark a joyous occasion that is usually spent with |
| of September and October, a Jewish Holiday is | | | | friends and family. The actual foods prepared |
| celebrated: Rosh Hashana. Rosh Hashana is a | | | | differ by region however there are "basic" |
| holiday listed in the Bible (Levitichus 23) and the | | | | symbols that are the same. The symbols we use |
| importance of the holiday is to use it as a time to | | | | in our meals just remind us of the purpose of the |
| look inward. By looking in you acknowledge your | | | | celebration. |
| good deeds and not so good deeds, ask for | | | | |
| forgiveness and make a resolution to do better | | | | One of the most popular and easily remembered |
| the coming year. This holiday also kick off a | | | | "symbol' is apples and honey. Taking pieces of |
| month long three high holiday combination (two of | | | | apples and dipping them in honey is eaten with the |
| which have been labeled the High Holidays). | | | | holiday meal , this symbol is used to signify a |
| | | | | desire for a sweet new year. |
| Rosh Hashana is literally interpreted as "head of | | | | |
| the year" but the looser translation is "new year". | | | | Another tradition is to locate a "new fruit". A new |
| Interestingly enough the Jewish calendar month | | | | fruit is categorized as a fruit that you have not |
| that Rosh Hashana falls in, is not the first month | | | | eaten all year. The Autumn seems to produce |
| of the calendar year, it's actually the seventh | | | | such fruits as persimmons, pomegranate in the |
| month. So why is this holiday called "the new | | | | grocery stores for those of who live in the |
| year" then? | | | | Northern Hemisphere, and make a wonderful |
| | | | | treat to those looking to have a sweet and |
| The best way to explain this is to look at the | | | | prosperous new year. |
| American calendar year. In January the first | | | | |
| month of the calendar year there is "New Year", | | | | The last holiday symbol is a head of a fish. A |
| the official start of the year. However, | | | | fish head represents the "head of the year" or |
| September marks the start of the new year for | | | | the first and it represents wholeness that we are |
| schools. Thus starting a new (school) year that | | | | trying to have for the coming year. |
| holiday plans and vacations revolve until the end | | | | |
| of the school year marking a new year of | | | | This time of the year there are a variety of |
| summer vacation. So, essentially the calendar | | | | apples in full blossom and what better way to get |
| year marks various "new years", yet there is one | | | | your new year off to a great start than by |
| official new year, and the same is true for the | | | | sampling the variety of apples, persimmons, |
| Jewish calendar as well. | | | | pomegranates and whatever your favorite |
| | | | | autumn fruit in your local grocery store. While |
| Although Rosh Hashana is a holiday that is | | | | you are there, remember your ingredients for |
| predominately spent in the synagogue, Rosh | | | | honey cakes and other sweets. Shana Tova! |
| Hashana is a holiday that like so many other | | | | Have a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! |
| holidays has its traditions that have evolved to | | | | |