People of Jewish faith will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, beginning at sundown on Friday, Sept. 18. Many Jews welcome the new year by eating honey and apples, in hopes of having a sweet year. They also hear the blowing of a shofar, a hollowed ram’s horn.
Rosh Hashanah also begins 10 days of reflection, when Jews try to prepare themselves to be better people in the new year. The High Holy Days end with Yom Kippur, which begins at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 27, and ends at sundown on Monday, Sept. 28. This is the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar, and observers fast until it ends.
As many synagogues remain closed this year because of the pandemic, congregations are making new traditions so they can still worship together. Those that allow electronic devices during the holidays are recording services or planning livestreams so members can pray together virtually.
“Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine’s commitment to religious diversity includes respecting the religious observances of our employees,” said Lynette Chappell-Williams, vice president and chief diversity officer, Penn State Health, and associate dean of diversity and inclusion, Penn State College of Medicine.
“This was the impetus behind our organization’s Religious Observances Guidance that encourages departments and clinics to avoid scheduling critical meetings during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur so that our Jewish colleagues can observe these special times.”