Rosh Hashanah begins today

By: Tyler Will

Posted: 9/12/07

09/12/07 - While most students will wait to ring in the New Year on Dec. 31, the Jewish community will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, at sundown today.

Jews will welcome the year 5768, the number of years since the birth of Adam, who is biblically regarded as the first human.

The sacred holiday will be celebrated by a traditional evening service in the ballroom of the Memorial Union tonight. A traditional Rosh Hashanah meal will follow the one-hour service.

"Rosh Hashanah literally means 'head of the year,'" said Amy Olson, executive director of Hillel, URI's student Jewish organization. "It's a festive day of new beginnings and a time of self-reflection. It represents the capability to say 'I'm sorry.'"

Rosh Hashanah is among the holiest of Jewish holidays and is celebrated over a 48-hour period, although it is only regarded as one long day.

Jews are encouraged to seek improvement in their lives during the 10 days following Rosh Hashanah.

Tonight's service will be dictated by a book called the Mahzor, which in Hebrew means "review." The Mahzor is an ancient prayer book dating back to the 10th century and contains prayers, songs and poems.

A combination of group readings and silent devotions will allow students to reflect upon the past year, and plan for a better future.

Students are eagerly anticipating the celebration and partaking in the festivities with unfamiliar faces is of little concern.

"In the Jewish community, everyone's friends with one another," said Jason Madwed, a freshman student celebrating the holiday. "It won't be a problem."

"It's an opportunity to meet people," said freshman Jodi Gold. "It helps me connect." The blowing of a ram's horn, called a Shofar, will symbolize a spiritual awakening.

"It's really a wake-up call, or a call to action," Olson said.

The service will conclude with a traditional Rosh Hashanah meal with sweet foods.

"Apples are dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year," Olson said. "Apples are a seasonal fruit, which also symbolizes new beginnings."

Honey-glazed carrots are also common, and for the same reasons. Other foods include dates, spinach and meats found from the head of an animal, further symbolizing the "head of the year."

Olson said the Hillel staff hopes that this celebration will help students feel more connected with the Jewish community and build a sense of camaraderie among the participating students.

"Hillel wants to make [URI] as comfortable a place for students as possible," Olson said. "We want to support students, and be like a family away from family."

At the end of the 10-day period following Rosh Hashanah, Jews celebrate another holiday, Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is a 25-hour period of fasting and earnest prayer for the purpose of atonement and repentance.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to take stock of yourself and to think

'How can I be better?'" Olson said.

Hillel's Rosh Hashanah celebration is tonight at 6 in the Memorial Union ballroom.