There are many customs associated with the High Holy Days which begin next week on Wednesday night, September 28. There is the tradition of sending New Years cards which has been made so easy by the advent of e-cards. There are a host of sites online where one can find Shana 

Tovah greetings. Speaking of which, it is customary to greet your family and friends and those we see in synagogue with Shana Tovah (Have a good year) or the more elaborate, Shana Tovah Tikoteivu (May you be inscribed for a good year).

Foods eaten include dipping apples in honey for a sweet year, also challah, and some will make teiglach, a sweet dipped in molasses and honey tiny dumpling that no one will ever convince me wasn't perfected by my mother. Sephardic Jews customarily serve fish on Rosh Hashanah with the head as this is the "head" of the year. Ashkenazi Jews serve roasted meats and chicken and tsimmes, a sweet carrot-based dish. As regards the shofar, the mitzvah is to hear it and allow it to awaken our need to ask for forgiveness and to change. One recalls loved ones no longer living by lighting a candle at home on Yom Kippur, as well as by saying kaddish during Yizkor, a service of remembrance on Yom Kippur Day.

Whatever your custom, we look forward to sharing this time of renewal with you, your family and friends NEXT WEEK and the 10 days that follow!!!

 Jan

Rabbi Jan Goldstein

Same requested donation rates as last year:  $200.00 per person for all four services or $75.00 per individual service (a 3 1/2% convenience fee will be added to credit card and paypal payments