Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar and commemorates the anniversary of the creation of the world. The holiday lasts three days, beginning this year on Monday evening, Sept. 22, and ending Wednesday evening, Sept. 25. People who celebrate Rosh Hashanah typically attend synagogue services and participate in meals called seders, which include symbolic foods like honey cake and pomegranate, to welcome the new year.
While Rosh Hashanah may not be widely recognized by everyone, many students at Miramonte celebrate the holiday. Sophomore Lucy Daost plans on missing school in order to attend services during the day, including taking part in a seder.
“Rosh Hashanah is a very important Jewish holiday, as it is the Jewish New Year, and it’s important that people know about it and the traditions Jewish people do for it. It’s also a time to reflect on the year and celebrate and for people to come together,” Daost said.
The Jewish Student Union (JSU) also engages with many of the traditions associated with Rosh Hashanah. Last year, the club handed out apples and honey on the quad.
“It was a fun chance to celebrate with fellow students and share our culture on campus,” JSU Club President Noah Thaler said. These foods carry symbolic meaning: the honey represents a sweet good new year, while the apple, which is in season during Elul, the Hebrew month of Rosh Hashanah, symbolizes the wish for goodness and prosperity for the year ahead. Together, these two foods also signify spiritual renewal, the interconnectedness of community, and the hope for good health and livelihood. The club also had a meeting to celebrate the holiday, during which they blew the Shofar, a traditional animal-horn instrument, to welcome in the new year.
Rosh Hashanah holds importance for many people that observe the holiday.
“It serves as a reminder to be thankful for what we have, to apologize for the mistakes we’ve made in the past year, and to get excited to begin again. To truly support Jewish students and uplift Jewish culture it is important to understand them, and Rosh Hashanah is key to understanding Judaism,” Thaler said.
As students and staff at Miramonte recognize Rosh Hashanah in different ways, the holiday serves as a reminder of reflection, and the importance of respecting cultural and religious practices within the school community. Its presence in Miramonte highlights the value of acknowledging and celebrating the beliefs and traditions of others.
