Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year takes place around September/October, and is considered one of the most important and serious holidays (or High Holy Days) in the Jewish calendar. 

It is a time for reflection and repentance for sins committed in the previous year. 

On the Saturday evening before Rosh Hashanah, people pray to God to forgive them for their wrongdoings and to give them a good year.

During the service a Shofar(trumpet made of ram's horn), is blown, to alert congregants to the seriousness of the festival and the fact that God is deciding their fates for the coming year (sealed on the Day of Atonement ten days later. This period is known as The Ten Days of Repentance and is traditionally a solemn time. )

Rosh Hashanah is also a time for celebration - other traditions include eating apples dipped in honey in the hope that this will lead to a sweet year.