On Sunday night, September 29, The Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation will observe Rosh Hashanah , the Jewish New Year. Services will commence at 6PM at Santa Margarita 113 in Riberas del Pilar. ALL ARE WELCOME.

Rosh Hashanah, (one of Judaism’s holiest days) commemorates God’s creation of the world. It marks the beginning of the Days of Awe- the most sacred annual period in Judaism- a 10 day period of introspection, and repentance that culminates in Yom Kippur.

According to tradition, God judges all creatures during the 10 Days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Jewish law teaches that God inscribes the names of the righteous in the “book of life” and condemns the wicked to death; people who fall between the two categories have until Yom Kippur to perform “teshuvah” or repentance.

The two-day holiday of Rosh Hashanah is the head of the Jewish year. A delicate blend of joy and solemnity, feasting, prayer and inspiration make up the spiritually charged head of the Jewish year.

Rosh Hashanah Steeped in Tradition…..

The sounding of a shofar- a trumpet made from a ram’s horn, proclaims Rosh Hashanah. The ancient instrument’s cry serves as a call to repentance and a reminder to Jews that God is their king.

A festive meal steeped in symbolism and tradition is shared with family and friends. Typically, a blessing will be said over two loaves of bread know as challah.
The round shape symbolizes a crown, a reminder of the kingship of God. It also stands for the circle of life, and the hope that our lives endure without end.
Apples dipped in honey, another RH tradition symbolizes the hope for a sweet year.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement- is considered the most important holiday in the Jewish faith. It is the holiest day of the year—the day on which we are closest to G‑d and to the quintessence of our own souls. It is the Day of Atonement—“For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G-d. (Leviticus 16:30). It marks the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe. It begins on the evening of October 8. For nearly twenty-six hours—from several minutes before sunset on (Oct. 8) to after nightfall (Oct. 9)—we “afflict our souls”: we abstain from food and drink, do not wash or anoint our bodies, do not wear leather footwear, Instead our time is spent prayer to G‑d.