Celebrating Rosh Hashanah 2012 in Reston

The Jewish community began ringing in year 5773 when Rosh Hashanah began Sunday night. Celebrations continue through sundown on Tuesday.

While most local synagogues require advance tickets to Monday's services, Chabad of Reston-Herndon will hold services open to all Monday and Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at 718 Lynn St., Herndon. Click here for more details.

For information about events at Congregation Beth Emeth in Herndon, click here.

For information about events at Reston's Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, click here.

Rosh Hashanah, which literally means “head of the year,” signals the beginning of the High Holy Days. Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, (this year on Sept. 25-26) 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.

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 a side dish and dessert, route: {:controller=>"articles", :action=>"show", :id=>"rosh-hashanah-recipes-noodle-kugel-and-apple-crumble"} -->, and