From sundown on Monday, Sept. 22 to nightfall on Wednesday, Sept. 24, Jewish communities  across the country will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah: the Jewish new year. The Jewish new year follows the lunisolar calendar, which is based off both the lunar cycle and the sun’s position. 

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with a candle lighting in the evenings, festive meals with many sweet treats throughout the night and day and prayer services on both mornings.  

“It’s like January first, but not January first,” freshman Orie Bivas said. For Bivas, the holiday feels like a fresh start. 

“New year, new me,” he said. 

For many families, the day is spent in a synagogue. 

“I go to services at my temple,” sophomore Malena Hampton said. “Later we eat apples and honey and also have a round challah instead of how it usually is.”

The time spent with family is meaningful and the services hold a lot of significance. 

“I like that it is a fun surrounding and the family bonding, but I don’t like having to sit at the table for two hours while they do prayers,” freshman Mika Mann said. 

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated for two days by over 20,000 students in Los Angeles, which has the second largest Jewish community in the United States. Many of our Oak Park families are looking forward to the celebrations.