Rosh Hashanah 2012

This Sunday marks the start of Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year, considered one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar and a time to reflect on the past year. 

Rosh Hashanah, which means “head of the year,” signals the beginning of the High Holy Days. Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, which begins the evening of September 25, marks the end.

Like most New Year celebrations, Rosh Hashanah is a time of introspection and a time to bring about changes in the coming year. It's marked with the traditional blowing of the shofar, or ram’s horn, a chance to clear the slate on the past year and start anew.

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.

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