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When is Rosh Hashanah 2017 and what are Jews celebrating?

What is Rosh Hashanah? It’s the Jewish New Year. Literally meaning "the head of the year" in Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah – also spelled Rosh HaShanah, Roshashana and Rosh Hashannah, among other variations – is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days and is usually celebrated in September. Due to the Jewish calendar being based on the lunar cycle – like Easter is for Christians – it moves every year. In 2016, it began October 2.

Rabbi John Bush demonstrates the blowing of the Shofar  at Temple Anshe Hesed in Erie, Penn.

When is it this year? It begins the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 20, and ends on the evening of Friday, Sept. 22. In general, Orthodox and some other conservative Jews observe it from start to finish, while more liberal Jews tend attend services only on the first full day, in this case Thursday, Sept. 21.

What happens during Rosh Hashanah? Though it depends on which Jewish tradition is being followed, much time is spent at a synagogue. During services, a hollowed-out ram's horn, known as a shofar, is blown, symbolizing a call to repentance. Many Jews also observe a tradition called tashlich, meaning "casting off" in Hebrew, in which they go to a nearby river or lake and throw pieces of bread, which signifies the washing away of sin.

It’s a holiday; isn’t there some eating involved? Indeed. According to Chabad, an Orthodox organization, Rosh Hashanah meals usually include apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year. Other foods with a symbolic meaning may be served, depending on local custom, such as the head of a fish, to symbolize the “head” of the year and reflect the prayer "let us be the head and not the tail.” Pomegranates are used in many traditions, to symbolize being fruitful like the pomegranate with its many seeds. In addition, according to the Reform tradition, a round challah – a sweet bread – is eaten, symbolizing the circle of life.

What’s up next? Rosh Hashanah marks the first day of the “10 Days of Repentance,” where Jewish people acknowledge their sins of the previous year and are judged for their sins by God. The 10 days end with Yom Kippur, which is the “Day of Repentance” and constitutes the holiest Jewish holiday.

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