President Obama extends his warm wishes for Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the Jewish spiritual calendar and the birth of the world.

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Rosh Hashanah &
the Jewish High Holy Days
Sept 08 : Rosh Hashanah begins tonight @ sundown

Did you know that on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to visit a river, lake or pond, to symbolically “cast away” ones sins into the water?

The custom, called Tashlich — meaning “casting off” — involves walking to a body of flowing water and throwing pieces of bread into the water. The bread is a symbolic representation of one’s sins, which are cast off in preparation for a more pure year to come.

Rosh Hashanah, which begins tonight at sundown, is a 10 day period known as the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora’im, a time of penitence and prayer that ends with Yom Kippur. Jews worldwide are given these 10 days to repent for their sins and ask G-d for forgiveness.

*Rosh Hashanah 5771 begins tonight at sundown (Wednesday September 08, 2010).

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Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
Beginning at sundown tonight*, Jews begin their celebration of the High Holy Days, which are observed during the 10 day period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most important of all Jewish Holidays and the only holidays that are purely religious, as they are not related to any historical or natural event.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated the first and second days of Tishri. It is a time of family gatherings, special meals and sweet tasting foods.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day of the Jewish year and is observed on the tenth day of Tishri. It is a day of fasting, reflection and prayers.

Join us for our celebration of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – High Holy Days on the Net

*The Hebrew calendar begins at sundown, consequently most Jewish Holidays also begin at sundown.