By Rick Dandes
The Daily Item
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SUNBURY — At sunset Wednesday, Jewish residents in the Valley — and around the world — marked the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year of 5,771.
Today, the first full day of the new year “gives us the opportunity to stop and evaluate our lives as well as set goals for the year ahead,” said Rabbi Nina Mandel, of Congregation Beth El, Sunbury. “In the year ahead, we certainly hope for the things everyone does: health, happiness and peace. But, we also turn our thoughts toward making meaningful changes in our lives so that these things are possible. As we celebrate the renewing of the year, we celebrate the opportunity to participate in creating a more just, and sustainable, world.”
Many synagogues and prayer centers around the Valley prepared for this High Holy Day with a candle-lighting ceremony, and some served a traditional Rosh Hashana meal that included apples with honey, fish, pomegranates and sweet carrots.
The Jewish New Year, like other Jewish holidays, is observed as a day of rest where Hebrews pray in a synagogue, hearing the shofar, a horn used for Jewish religious purposes.
Besides that, the holiday is characterized by festive meals with challah and auspicious foods such as apples dipped in honey, fish heads, as well as new fruits on the second night to symbolize a sweet new year.
Services at Beth El continue today at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, begins next week, on the evening of Sept. 17.
