Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah (biblical name Yom Teruah) is the Jewish calendar’s New Year. It marks a 10 day period of reflection and repentance that concludes with Yom Kippur.

Who celebrates?

Jewish people around the world.

How do people celebrate?

• Unlike western New Year celebrations, it is a time for reflection
• Customs include the sounding of a shofar (horn) and enjoying sweet delicacies for a sweet happy year.

What should I know?

• Rosh Hashanah symbolises a fresh start but it is also a time of judgement, when God takes into account their good and bad acts which defines how their next year will be
• In the 2011 census 271,259 people identified as Jewish in the UK.

How can I support others?

• Say ’Shanah Tova’ (Happy New Year) to your colleagues and clients in Israel and ask how they will be celebrating the new year
• Do not assume that because someone is Jewish that they will be celebrating
• Encourage celebrations internally and externally
• Talk to your team about the religious representation among your volunteer, employee and service user population and if it’s representative of your area.

History channel: Rosh Hashanah: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/Rosh-hashanah-history#:~:text=Rosh%20Hashanah%20commemorates%20the%20creation,Days%E2%80%9D%20in%20the%20Jewish%20religion.

Jewish Learning – Rosh Hashanah: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/rosh-hashanah-101/

Rosh Hashanah recipes: http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipes/tag-1916/rosh-hashanah-recipes.aspx