Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy Days in the Jewish calendar. The two-day holiday began at sunset on the 2 October and will end on the 4 October. This is an especially important celebration as, in most Jewish traditions, it marks the start of the New Year.
For that reason, it is observed all over the world, as people come together to ask God to forgive their mistakes over the previous year, and to help them to do better in the coming months. As well as giving to those in need, observers often eat sweet foods, such as a specially prepared round “challah” bread and apples dipped in honey (which represent a “sweet” New Year). They might also attend prayers at their local synagogue, where a “shofar” (a horn) is blown.
British Online Archives would like to wish all of those observing this holiday a very happy Rosh Hashanah!