Community Corner

Jewish New Year Begins at Sundown Wednesday, Services Set

The year 5774 according to the Jewish calendar begins with services Wednesday evening and Thursday morning at area congregations.

By Chris Jennewein

The Jewish new year celebration, known as Rosh Hashanah, begins at sundown on Wednesday with services at area congregations.

Rosh Hashanah means literally "head of the year" in Hebrew. It marks the beginning of a 10-day period of prayer, self-examination, and repentance ending with Yom Kippur, which is known as the Day of Atonement. This year is 5774 in the Jewish calendar.

Customs observed on Rosh Hashanah include sounding the shofar, a musical instrument made from a ram's horn, and eating sweet foods for a sweet new year.

Many congregations celebrate one day of Rosh Hashanah, while others observe two days.

In Rancho Santa Margarita, Chabad Jewish Center will be celebrating Thursday morning, 9 a.m., and Friday morning, 7:30 a.m., with services at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. There is a Thursday evening Tashlich at 6:30 p.m. It is asked that participants RSVP for the services, at 38 Hemingway Court.


Tashlich, one practice associated with Rosh Hashanah, is a ceremony in which Jews symbolically cast away their sins by tossing pieces of bread into a body of water. 

Yom Kippur services include Kol Nidrei services on Sept. 13, 6:45 p.m., and Shabbat on Sept. 14, 10 a.m., also at the Bell Tower.


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