As the weather gets colder, Jewish families start preparing for many holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah.
Rosh Hashanah, translating to “head of the year,” marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and the High Holy Days, a sacred time for new beginnings and introspection. On this day, Jewish people are forbidden from work, commerce, and travel, allowing them to devote themselves to prayer and reflection on the past year.
“I most enjoy throwing bread into a lake or pond to make up for my bad actions,” says Cameron McLeod, referring to the traditional Rosh Hashanah practice of Tashlich.
“This is a time for us to reflect on our actions and seek forgiveness,” says a student who wishes to remain anonymous.
This pause from daily life provides an opportunity to reconnect with faith, family, and community. As they look back, individuals seek forgiveness, acknowledge accomplishments, and set intentions for personal growth and improvement.
“When my family and I pray together, I feel very peaceful,” says a student who wishes to remain anonymous.
Spending time practicing traditions such as Shofar blowing, Synagogue Services, and eating symbolic foods are all ways that Jewish people spend this day. Shofar blowing is done when a hollowed-out ram’s horn is sounded to signal the start of the new year. When going to services, a special liturgy about Teshuvah (repentance) is recited. Symbolic foods that are eaten include apples dipped in honey to evoke a sweet new year.
“I love eating my grandma’s rainbow jelly which is a tradition my family follows,” says Ada Robinson.
Rosh Hashanah celebrations exhibit diverse cultural variations worldwide. In Ashkenazi communities, traditional foods like apples with honey and round challah bread symbolize sweetness and unity. Sephardic Jews incorporate sweet pastries, grapes, and pomegranates into their festivities. Ethiopian Jews celebrate with unique prayers and traditional coffee ceremonies. In Israel, Rosh Hashanah is marked with nationwide prayer services and festive meals.
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that usually falls in late November or December. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE.
“I love eating latkes and playing dreidel with my family during Hanukkah,” says Ada Robinson
Hanukkah traditions include lighting the Hanukkah menorah (hanukkiah), exchanging gifts, and eating traditional foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts).
As Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah come to a close, Jewish families worldwide reflect on the past year’s journey, embracing the promise of renewal, forgiveness, and joy. With hearts filled with hope and spirits renewed, they step into the new year, committed to personal growth, unity, and faith. The diverse traditions and customs practiced during these sacred holidays weave a vibrant tapestry, celebrating the resilience and richness of Jewish heritage.
