Celebrating Rosh Hashanah 2012 in South Whitehall

This Sunday, as the day draws to a close, the Jewish community will ring in year 5773 as part of its celebration of Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year. The festivities will continue until nightfall on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

, 4457 Crackersport Road, South Whitehall:

• Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, Sept. 16. 7 p.m., Evening Services; 8 p.m. Community Dinner.
• Rosh Hashanah: Monday, Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m. Morning Services; 11 a.m. Shofar Blowing; 6 p.m., Tashlich Service; 7:30 p.m. Evening Services.  
• And on Tuesday, Sept. 18. 9:30 a.m., Morning Services; 11 a.m. Shofar Blowing.

, 1305 Springhouse Road, South Whitehall:

• Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, Sept. 16, 7:15 p.m., Memorial Plaques Dedication; 8 p.m. Evening Services.
• Rosh Hashanah:  Monday, Sept. 17, 8:30 a.m., Shacharit; 9:45 a.m. Torah Service and Musaf; 9:45 a.m., Traditional Service; 9:45 a.m., Children and Teen Services; 7:45 p.m. Ma'ariv Service.
• And on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 8:30 a.m., Shacharit; 9:45 a.m. Torah Service; 11 a.m. Contemporary Family Service.

Also in the area:

Congregation Am Haskalah:

• Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, Sept. 16. 6 p.m., Evening Services, Jewish Community Center, Allentown
  
• Rosh Hashanah: Monday, Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m. Morning Services, Jewish Community Center, Allentown; Tuesday, Sept. 18, 9:30 a.m. Morning Services at Congregation Brith Sholom, Bethlehem.

Temple Shirat Shalom:

• Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, Sept. 16. 7:30 p.m., Evening Services, at The Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown.
  
• Rosh Hashanah:  Monday, Sept. 17. 10 a.m. Morning Services, at The Scottish Rite Cathedral, Allentown.

Rosh Hashanah, which literally means “head of the year,” signals the beginning of the High Holy Days. Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, 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.

So, it's time to get into that festive mood! 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 , and .

Want to try something new this year? Take a look at this , which Susan Silverberg shared on Culver City Patch.

In the mood for some baking and indulging that sweet tooth at the same time? Try this recipe for from West Bloomfield Patch.

Here’s wishing you L’shanah Tovah--the traditional Happy New Year greeting-- and B'tayavon (that’s Hebrew for bon appetit)!

How are you celebrating Rosh Hashanah this year? Share your Rosh Hashanah recipes and traditions with us in the comments section below!