Rosh Hashanah: A Hopeful New Year
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins Wednesday evening, October 2, marking the start of the Hebrew month of Tishrei and ushering in the year 5785. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and is observed over two days - even in Israel. It also initiates the 10-day period known as the Days of Awe, culminating in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
This year, Rosh Hashanah falls just days before the anniversary of one of the most violent and devastating days in Jewish history, October 7. It’s difficult to imagine celebrating the New Year while so many hostages remain in Gaza, with no clear end to their captivity. As a Jewish people, 5784 was a year marked by pain and tragedy.
Yet, Rosh Hashanah returns each year, whether or not we feel ready. While “celebrating” may not feel appropriate, it remains our responsibility to observe and reflect on this New Year, acknowledging both our sorrows and hopes.
Listen Up: The Shofar’s Call
Throughout the month of Elul, leading up to Rosh Hashanah, the shofar (ram’s horn) is blown daily. Rosh Hashanah itself is known as Yom Teruah - the day of the sounding of the shofar. Its call urges us to reflect on our actions over the past year and consider the changes we want to make in the year ahead. It’s also a reminder of G-d’s presence in our lives - an alarm clock for the soul!
Jessica Steinberg, a friend of the Goldberg-Polins, heard the shofar’s call at the shiva for Hersh and thought about unity and compassion, wondering if working towards these ideals could shape her goals for the coming year. Her reflection is inspiring and hopeful.
Interestingly, the shofar’s call is a bit like hidden messages in Pixar movies - layered, purposeful, and meant to inspire change. Just as many Pixar movies guide us toward a better world, Jewish history, too, follows this pattern for striving for a brighter future. For a fascinating comparison, check out this short video.
Celebrate with Symbols
Rosh Hashanah is filled with special customs that add meaning to the holiday. We light candles, as we do at the start of nearly every Jewish holiday, and in services, we hear the powerful call of the shofar. Families come together for a festive meal, often featuring apples dipped in honey, symbolizing our wish for a sweet new year.
On the second night, it’s traditional to try a new fruit - maybe something you haven't had since last Rosh Hashanah. Wearing new clothes is another way we make the holiday feel special. And don't forget the round challah, also dipped in honey; representing the cycle of life and the sweet new year we hope for.
Do you have your own unique way to celebrate Rosh Hashanah?
Tashlich: Throw Your Worries Away
One unique ritual is Tashlich (“casting off,”) where we toss pieces of bread into a moving body of water, such as a lake, river or pond. This symbolic act helps us let go of our mistakes from the past year.
Reflecting at Beber Camp
Beber Camp is more than just a summer getaway; it's a place where Jewish identity is nurtured year-round. The Days of Awe give us a chance to continue the self-reflection we practice every Shabbat during Mikkud (“reflection”) at camp, when we engage in inspiring conversations with our bunkmates and counselors, reflecting on our week, our Jewish values, and how we can strengthen our connections with one another.
These Ten Days of Awe are like one extended Mikkud, offering a time for self-improvement with family and friends. We encourage parents and children to use this opportunity to reflect on personal accomplishments from the past year and set goals for the year ahead. It’s also a chance to talk about the struggles and challenges the Jewish people have faced this past year - like the hostage situation in Israel and rising antisemitism - and a chance to listen to your children’s thoughts on these difficult topics.
In our busy day-to-day lives, we don’t always make the time to truly listen to our children. Rosh Hashanah and the days leading up to Yom Kippur are the perfect opportunity to pause and do just that.
What to Say During Rosh Hashanah
On Rosh Hashanah, people often say "L’shana Tovah," (“to a good year”) or "Shana Tova U’Metukah," (“a good and sweet year,”) joyful ways to wish each other well. Another traditional greeting is, “L’shanah Tovah Tikatevu” (“May you be inscribed for a good year,”) expressing the hope that we all be written into the “Book of Life” for the year ahead.
Ways to Make Rosh Hashanah Special
- Apple Picking: Gather fresh apples for dipping in honey, and check out some healthy, delicious apple recipes to enjoy.
- Bake a Honey Cake: serve or send a homemade honey cake to someone special. Try out this recipe.
- Get Creative with Challah: Bake and braid a round Challah. There are plenty of delicious recipes to choose from. You can even defrost frozen bread dough and learn to braid or shape it into a round challah.
- Have a Family Mikkud: Set aside time during Rosh Hashanah or the Ten Days of Awe to reflect as a family. Choose a family value or topic that encourages discussion about how each of you can improve your connections. Reflect on the challenges the Jewish people have faced this past year, and listen to your children’s thoughts.
- Send Greetings: Share the love by sending New Year cards to friends or local Jewish senior centers.
- Visit a Water Source: Participate in the Tashlich ceremony by symbolically casting away your sins into a body of water.
- DIY Gifts: Create small jars of honey to give as sweet gifts.
- Try a New Fruit: Spice up your meal with an exotic fruit you've never tasted before, like star fruit, dragon fruit, lychee or pomegranate. Don’t forget to say the Shehecheyanu blessing when trying something new.
By embracing these traditions, you’ll deepen your connection to what makes Rosh Hashanah so special.
Shana Tova from Beber Camp
From all of us at Beber Camp, we wish you a "Shana Tova U’Metukah"—a year filled with sweet moments, good health, joy, and abundance.
Michael, Debbie, Stacy, Julia, Trudy, Harrell, and Nancy