Rosh HaShanah

Rosh HaShanah (“Head of the Year”) is observed on the first day of the month of Tishrei. It marks the beginning of the High Holy Days, which culminates on Yom Kippur. The customs and symbols of Rosh HaShanah reflect the holiday’s emphasis on both happiness and humility. On Rosh HaShanah, we sound the shofar, use round challah, and eat apples and honey for a sweet new year.

Selichot (“forgiveness”) is the candlelight service marking the Jewish week preceding Rosh HaShanah. Held after sundown on Saturday, this service begins our cheshbon nefesh (“accounting of the soul”) as part of t’shuvah (“return”) to our truest selves. We started with dessert, Havdalah and a worship service; then closed the evening in quiet reflection as the parokhet (ark curtain) and Torah covers were prepared for the coming High Holy Days.

Tashlich (“casting off”) is a symbolic dispersal of our errors to the winds and the sea, after we have begun the process of t’shuvah. Our Tashlich service is generally held along the flowing waters of the Snohomish River, at the Everett Public Boat Launch, on West Marine View Drive at 10th Street.

hhdays

 

Please consider helping Temple Beth Or by purchasing bookplates for our High Holy Days prayer books, in memory of a loved one or in honor of a person or event. The suggested minimum donation per bookplate is $36. Click here to download an order form or use the registration form sent out in the Member and Non-member HHD info packets.

Read the text of Rabbi Kort’s Erev Rosh HaShanah sermon from 5779. Also, some of our members have delivered inspiring Divrei Torah during previous Rosh HaShanah services. You can view the text of the D’var Torah delivered by Heidi Piel or Doug Wallis.