Rosh Hashanah begins today
Tyler Will
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: News
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09/12/07 - While most students will wait to ring in the New Year on Dec. 31, the Jewish community will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, at sundown today.
Jews will welcome the year 5768, the number of years since the birth of Adam, who is biblically regarded as the first human.
The sacred holiday will be celebrated by a traditional evening service in the ballroom of the Memorial Union tonight. A traditional Rosh Hashanah meal will follow the one-hour service.
"Rosh Hashanah literally means 'head of the year,'" said Amy Olson, executive director of Hillel, URI's student Jewish organization. "It's a festive day of new beginnings and a time of self-reflection. It represents the capability to say 'I'm sorry.'"
Rosh Hashanah is among the holiest of Jewish holidays and is celebrated over a 48-hour period, although it is only regarded as one long day.
Jews are encouraged to seek improvement in their lives during the 10 days following Rosh Hashanah.
Tonight's service will be dictated by a book called the Mahzor, which in Hebrew means "review." The Mahzor is an ancient prayer book dating back to the 10th century and contains prayers, songs and poems.
A combination of group readings and silent devotions will allow students to reflect upon the past year, and plan for a better future.
Students are eagerly anticipating the celebration and partaking in the festivities with unfamiliar faces is of little concern.
"In the Jewish community, everyone's friends with one another," said Jason Madwed, a freshman student celebrating the holiday. "It won't be a problem."
"It's an opportunity to meet people," said freshman Jodi Gold. "It helps me connect." The blowing of a ram's horn, called a Shofar, will symbolize a spiritual awakening.
"It's really a wake-up call, or a call to action," Olson said.
The service will conclude with a traditional Rosh Hashanah meal with sweet foods.
Jews will welcome the year 5768, the number of years since the birth of Adam, who is biblically regarded as the first human.
The sacred holiday will be celebrated by a traditional evening service in the ballroom of the Memorial Union tonight. A traditional Rosh Hashanah meal will follow the one-hour service.
"Rosh Hashanah literally means 'head of the year,'" said Amy Olson, executive director of Hillel, URI's student Jewish organization. "It's a festive day of new beginnings and a time of self-reflection. It represents the capability to say 'I'm sorry.'"
Rosh Hashanah is among the holiest of Jewish holidays and is celebrated over a 48-hour period, although it is only regarded as one long day.
Jews are encouraged to seek improvement in their lives during the 10 days following Rosh Hashanah.
Tonight's service will be dictated by a book called the Mahzor, which in Hebrew means "review." The Mahzor is an ancient prayer book dating back to the 10th century and contains prayers, songs and poems.
A combination of group readings and silent devotions will allow students to reflect upon the past year, and plan for a better future.
Students are eagerly anticipating the celebration and partaking in the festivities with unfamiliar faces is of little concern.
"In the Jewish community, everyone's friends with one another," said Jason Madwed, a freshman student celebrating the holiday. "It won't be a problem."
"It's an opportunity to meet people," said freshman Jodi Gold. "It helps me connect." The blowing of a ram's horn, called a Shofar, will symbolize a spiritual awakening.
"It's really a wake-up call, or a call to action," Olson said.
The service will conclude with a traditional Rosh Hashanah meal with sweet foods.