HHD Info Page

ROSH HASHANAH

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is a fall holiday, taking place at the beginning of the month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the Jewish year (counting from Nisan in the spring). It is both a time of rejoicing and of serious introspection, a time to celebrate the completion of another year while also taking stock of one’s life. 

THE HIGH HOLY DAY PERIOD

The first two days of Rosh Hashanah usher in the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Yemei Teshuvah), also known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim), which culminate in the major fast day of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The Days of Awe represent the climax of a longer process. Starting at the beginning of the previous month, called Elul, the shofar is traditionally sounded at the conclusion of the morning service. A ram’s horn that makes a trumpet-like sound, the shofar is intended as a wake-up call to prepare for the Tishrei holidays. One week before Rosh Hashanah, special petitionary prayers called Selichot are added to the ritual. Rosh Hashanah itself is also known as Yom Hadin or the Day of Judgment, on which God opens the Books of Life and Death, which are then sealed on Yom Kippur.

TASHLICH

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, in the afternoon, Jews customarily gather at a nearby stream or river to symbolically cast away their sins by throwing breadcrumbs into the water. This ceremony is called Tashlich (cast off).
This year the first day falls on Shabbat so Tashlich takes place on the second day.  

CEREMONY – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 at 5:15 PM at Centennial Lake (enter from Manuel Drive and Lake Road).

BLESSING THE CHILDREN EREV YOM KIPPUR

A most meaningful tradition of the High Holy Day season is the blessing given by parents to their children just before they leave for the Kol Nidre Service at the synagogue.  Throughout the ages, generations of Jewish parents have placed their hands on their children’s heads and implored G-d’s mercy, love and guidance for the year to come.

(For Boys)  “May the Lord make you as Ephraim and as Menasheh”
(For Girls)   “May the Lord make you as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah” and continue…..

“May it be the will of our Father in heaven to place within your heart, love and reverence for Him.  May you fear G-d all the days of your life so that you will not sin.  
May He implant in you the desire to study Torah and observe His commandments.  May your eyes look straight ahead, your mouth speak wisdom and may your heart be filled with reverence. May your hands be involved in the accomplishment of Mitzvot and may your feet be ready to do G-d’s bidding. May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Good and Long Life together with all of the righteous of Israel.  Amen”.

YOM KIPPUR

Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is one of two Jewish High Holy Days. The first High Holy Day is Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). Yom Kippur falls ten days after Rosh Hashanah on the 10th of Tishrei. The purpose of Yom Kippur is to bring about reconciliation between people and between individuals and G-d. According to Jewish tradition, it is also the day when G-d decides the fate of each human being.

Although Yom Kippur is an intense holiday it is nevertheless viewed as a happy day. Why? Because if one has observed the holiday properly by the end of Yom Kippur they will have made peace with others and with G-d.

Fasting - One abstains from all food and drink from sunset on Sunday, September 24^th from 6:30 PM until Monday, 
September 25^th at 7:11 PM.

A Memorial Light is kindled on the eve of Yom Kippur in memory of a departed one(s).

As is customary, provisions will be made for women to light candles prior to Kol Nidre Services on Sunday evening, 
September 24^th to enable travelling to Kol Nidre Services without violating the sanctity of Yom Kippur which begins with the lighting of the candles.  The final time for such lighting is 6:30 PM.