Rosh Hashanah, which means “head of the year” in Hebrew, starts at sunset on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 and ends at sunset on Sunday, Sept. 13. It launches the ten‑day period of repentance that culminates with Yom Kippur on Sept. 20‑21.
What the holiday means
Jewish families use the holiday to ask God for forgiveness for the past year’s mistakes and to resolve to improve in the year ahead. Services are held in synagogues where a hollowed‑out ram’s horn, the shofar, is blown to awaken spiritual awareness.
Customs and foods
Traditional meals include fish, symbolizing fertility and abundance, and many families serve the head of the fish to express a desire for leadership. Sweet foods such as challah bread and apples dipped in honey represent hopes for a sweet new year, while pomegranate seeds stand for the many blessings hoped for.
Other customs include tossing bread crumbs into water to symbolize casting away sins and giving tzedakah—charitable donations—to help those in need, believing that good deeds invite divine blessing.
Greetings
The common greeting is “Shanah tovah,” meaning “good year.” A longer version, “L’shana tovah u’metukah,” adds “and sweet.” Some also say “chag sameach,” which translates to “happy festival.”
When and where
Rosh Hashanah falls on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which lands in September or October on the Gregorian calendar. This year’s observance begins Friday evening and ends Sunday evening, giving families time for worship, meals and charitable acts.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
