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High Holidays

The Jewish High Holidays mark a time of deep reflection, renewal, and reconnection. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur serve as bookends to the Ten Days of Repentance, a period dedicated to self-examination, personal growth, and setting intentions for the year ahead. These days provide an opportunity to pause, take stock of our actions, and commit to meaningful change in our relationships, our communities, and the world.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, ushers in a season of hope, gratitude, and new beginnings. It is a time to reflect on the past year while embracing the possibilities of the year to come. Traditions include sounding the shofar, dipping apples in honey for a sweet year, and gathering in community to welcome the High Holiday season.

Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, is a time for introspection and renewal. It is considered the most sacred day of the Jewish calendar—a day set aside for fasting, prayer, and seeking forgiveness. Jewish tradition teaches that atonement requires sincere effort: asking for forgiveness from those we have hurt, offering forgiveness to others, and striving to be better versions of ourselves in the coming year.

Customs & Traditions

  • The Sound of the Shofar: A powerful and stirring call to reflection and action, the shofar is blown throughout the High Holiday season, reminding us to awaken to the possibilities of renewal.
  • Tashlich: A symbolic ritual in which individuals cast breadcrumbs or small pieces of bread into a flowing body of water, representing the release of past mistakes and the commitment to a fresh start.
  • The Act of Teshuvah (Repentance): The process of self-reflection and making amends, emphasizing personal accountability and the importance of repairing relationships.
  • Holiday Foods: Special holiday foods, such as round challah symbolizing the cycle of life, apples dipped in honey for a sweet year, and pomegranates representing abundance, are enjoyed as part of the season’s traditions.
  • Meaningful Greetings: It is customary to wish friends and loved ones a Shanah Tovah (a good new year) or G’mar Chatimah Tovah (may you be sealed in the Book of Life).

Explore More

Whether you are deepening your awareness, discovering traditions for the first time, or simply looking for a place to connect, we invite you to celebrate with us at PJCC.

View Our High Holidays Brochure

For those interested in a deeper exploration of the themes and practices of the High Holidays, we recommend My Jewish Learning, an excellent resource for learning about Jewish holidays, values, and traditions.