Jewish New Year kicks off 10 days of spiritual introspection, atonement
By Rebecca F. Johnson, STAFF WRITER
Inside Bay Area
When children crafted shofars by curing, measuring, saw-ing, drilling and polishing rams' horns Sunday, Rabbi Raleigh Resnick hoped that the experience would leave an everlasting impression on their young minds.
By using their hands to fash-ion, their noses to smell and their ears to hear the sound the instrument makes, Resnick — rabbi for Chabad of the Tri-Valley — aimed to help the youth make a connection to Rosh Hashana.
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, began Friday and heralded the start of the 10-day period called the Days of Awe that culminates on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
At various points in the synagogue services held during these days, the shofar is blown as a reminder to commence the reflection process.
"Just like an alarm clock wakes you up, as we start the new year, the shofar is a spiritual alarm clock that wakes one up," Resnick said.
The Days of Awe mark a time of deep introspection that includes asking God and others for forgiveness to begin anew.
"The grime builds up from all of our everyday stuff, all the frustrations and disappointments," said Rabbi Richard Winer of Temple Beth Emek in Pleasanton. "This is the time once a year to wipe it all off and move forward renewed.
"We take stock of the last year, fix all things that can be fixed. But at a certain point, you've got to wipe it off and move forward with a clean slate," he said.
Rosh Hashana is typically celebrated with festive meals that include dipping apples into honey, symbolizing the hope for a sweet new year. Challah, a type of bread, is baked into rounds rather than the typical oblong braided shape as a symbol of the circle of life or cyclical nature of the year.
On Yom Kippur, however, which this year will take place from sundown Oct. 1 to Oct. 2, it is customary to fast as a cleansing ritual.
Many synagogues, including Temple Beth Emek, request that congregants donate the food that they might otherwise consume on the holiday to others less fortunate.
For more information about Chabad of the Tri-Valley's Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur services, which are available without advance tickets, visit http://www.jewishtrivalley.com or call (925) 846-0700. Services will be held at the Carr America Conference Center, 4400 Rosewood Drive, in Pleasanton.
Chabad of Contra Costa will hold Yom Kippur services at the San Ramon Marriott, 2600 Bishop Drive. Visit http://www.chabadcoco.com for more information.
By Rebecca F. Johnson, STAFF WRITER
Inside Bay Area
When children crafted shofars by curing, measuring, saw-ing, drilling and polishing rams' horns Sunday, Rabbi Raleigh Resnick hoped that the experience would leave an everlasting impression on their young minds.
By using their hands to fash-ion, their noses to smell and their ears to hear the sound the instrument makes, Resnick — rabbi for Chabad of the Tri-Valley — aimed to help the youth make a connection to Rosh Hashana.
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, began Friday and heralded the start of the 10-day period called the Days of Awe that culminates on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
At various points in the synagogue services held during these days, the shofar is blown as a reminder to commence the reflection process.
"Just like an alarm clock wakes you up, as we start the new year, the shofar is a spiritual alarm clock that wakes one up," Resnick said.
The Days of Awe mark a time of deep introspection that includes asking God and others for forgiveness to begin anew.
"The grime builds up from all of our everyday stuff, all the frustrations and disappointments," said Rabbi Richard Winer of Temple Beth Emek in Pleasanton. "This is the time once a year to wipe it all off and move forward renewed.
"We take stock of the last year, fix all things that can be fixed. But at a certain point, you've got to wipe it off and move forward with a clean slate," he said.
Rosh Hashana is typically celebrated with festive meals that include dipping apples into honey, symbolizing the hope for a sweet new year. Challah, a type of bread, is baked into rounds rather than the typical oblong braided shape as a symbol of the circle of life or cyclical nature of the year.
On Yom Kippur, however, which this year will take place from sundown Oct. 1 to Oct. 2, it is customary to fast as a cleansing ritual.
Many synagogues, including Temple Beth Emek, request that congregants donate the food that they might otherwise consume on the holiday to others less fortunate.
For more information about Chabad of the Tri-Valley's Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur services, which are available without advance tickets, visit http://www.jewishtrivalley.com or call (925) 846-0700. Services will be held at the Carr America Conference Center, 4400 Rosewood Drive, in Pleasanton.
Chabad of Contra Costa will hold Yom Kippur services at the San Ramon Marriott, 2600 Bishop Drive. Visit http://www.chabadcoco.com for more information.
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