Celebrating Rosh Hashanah 2012 in Lower Moreland

This Sunday, as the day draws to a close, the Jewish community will ring in year 5773 as part of their celebration of Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year. The festivities will continue until nightfall on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

At Lower Moreland, schools will be closed on Monday, Sept. 17, but will be open on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Tuesday will be an excused absense for students who wish to observe the holiday, but they are required to fill out an excused absense form. The School District posted the following announcement on its web site:

Schools will be closed on September 17, 2012 in observance of Rosh Hoshanah.  Schools will be open on September 18; however, students may take an excused absence in order to observe this religious holiday. In order to request an excused absence, please submit an Excuse from School form which can be found in the Virtual Backpack or requested at the Main Office. No homework will be due nor will any tests or quizzes be given on September 18.  Teachers will use this as a review day and no new content will be  taught.

Elsewhere around town, Temple-Beth Am will be hold services on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Affiliated and non-affiliated Jewish families are invited to celebrate the New Year. A special portion of the morning service at 10:00am will include a blessing for all babies born in the previous year.

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Rosh Hashanah, which literally means “head of the year,” signals the beginning of the High Holy Days. Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, marks the end, and together they are two of the holiest days for Jews.

Like most New Year celebrations, Rosh Hashanah is a time of introspection and a time to bring about changes in the coming year. The traditional blowing of the shofar, or ram’s horn, during services on Rosh Hashanah marks a time to contemplate past mistakes and find ways to make things right.

On this day, as on Sabbath, Jews avoid work and spend the day with family. And where there’s a family gathering, can food be far behind? It’s no surprise that after services Jewish families tuck into an elaborate spread of traditional dishes.

The day begins with eating apples dipped in honey, in hopes that the new year will also be sweet. Another tradition is to bake challah, a round-shaped bread that is a symbol of the circle of life.

So, it's time to get into that festive mood! Patch has come up with some great recipes that will make your Rosh Hoshanah meal extra special this year.

Newton Patch contributor Wendy Schapiro shared her family recipe for a mouth-watering, traditional meal complete with , and .

Want to try something new this year? Take a look at this , which Susan Silverberg shared on Culver City Patch.

In the mood for some baking and indulging that sweet tooth at the same time? Try this recipe for from West Bloomfield Patch.

Here’s wishing you L’shanah Tovah--the traditional Happy New Year greeting-- and B'tayavon (that’s Hebrew for bon appetit)!

How are you celebrating Rosh Hashanah this year? Share your Rosh Hashanah recipes and traditions with us in the comments section below!