At the beginning of autumn, Rosh Hashanah, one of Judaism’s most important holidays, is observed, with this year’s celebrations ending Friday.

Based on the Hebrew calendar, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated between either September or October each year, lasting two days and marking the start of the Jewish New Year celebration.

This year’s holiday started on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 at sundown, and ends at sunset on Oct. 4, 2024.

Traditional celebrations vary, but often include festive meals and sweets, including apples and honey, combining a fruit of the fall harvest season with a symbol of sweetness. 

Other celebrations and activities include performing prayers, attending services at synagogue, and candle lighting. 

Rosh Hashanah is a time for repentance and for healing relationships with other people and with God, according to Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami in Santa Clarita in an interview with KHTS. 

“We consider this the beginning of the year,” Blazer said. “Unlike our secular new year in January, this has definitely much more of a religious and spiritual component. This is a time of renewal, of reflection. We also use this as a time for repentance and for healing our relationships with others.”

According to Blazer, one of the main features of religious services during Rosh Hashanah is the inclusion of the shofar, a musical instrument made from a ram’s horn.

“We blow the shofar, the horn, the rams horn, which has been for us a sign of alertness, but also a sign of celebration and gathering,” Blazer said. “That’s kind of one of the most powerful symbols.”

Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the 10 Days of Awe, culminating in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and the most holy day in the Jewish calendar. 

“We’ll do a day of real fast in prayer and, quite frankly, real introspection,” Blazer said. 

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