By Robert Kalfus
Chabad of Yonkers Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz welcomed all of Yonkers for a sweet, prosperous and healthy New Year at Yonkers City Hall with Mayor Mike Spano, Nader Sayegh, State Senator Shelley Mayer and other elected officials listening to Rabbi Hurwitz show the shofar. Apples dipped in honey and other traditional foods were served.
The Jewish New Year this year begins at sundown on Friday night, Sept. 15, 2023, through Sunday night, Sept. 17th and concludes the following week on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
Rabbi of Chabad of Yonkers/Greystone Jewish Center Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz will lead his congregation’s members to Untermyer Park on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 17, to blow the shofar (ram’s horn), as Jews symbolically cast their sins within sight of the waters of the mighty Hudson River. The sound of the shofar calls us to remember the many ways the practices, customs and prayers of the Yomim Noraim (Days of Awe) leading up to the Jewish New Year, Rosh HaShanah, which encourage all to deeply introspect and explore their actions, thoughts, feelings and behavior of the past year, and plan and take action to improve their relations with G-d and with their fellow human beings in the coming New Year. We recall the Akedah, when Abraham was willing to accept G-d’s call to sacrifice his son Isaac, his beloved son. A ram was caught entangled in the thickets, and Abraham instead sacrificed the ram – hence we blow a ram’s horn.
Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the universe, the day G‑d created Adam and Eve, and it’s celebrated as the head of the Jewish year. It begins at sundown on the eve of Tishrei 1 (Sept. 15, 2023) and ends after nightfall on Tishrei 2 (Sept. 17, 2023).
The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is blowing the shofar (ram’s horn) on both mornings of the holiday (except on Shabbat), which is normally done in synagogue as part of the day’s services.
Rosh Hashanah feasts traditionally include round challah bread (studded with raisins) and apples dipped in honey, as well as other foods that symbolize our wishes for a sweet year.
Other Rosh Hashanah observances include candle lighting in the evenings and desisting from creative work.
Together with Yom Kippur (which follows 10 days later), it is part of the Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe, or High Holidays). Everyone is welcome to celebrate the Jewish New Year and holy days (holidays) following, and to learn with the members and friends at the Greystone Jewish Center 600 North Broadway, Yonkers NY. No charge for seats at the service, and your donations are greatly appreciated. Advance reservations are suggested. Contact (914) 963-8888, visit www.JewishYonkers.com, or email Rabbi@JewishYonkers.com
