Rosh Hashanah, which celebrates the Jewish New Year and marks the start of what’s known to many as the Jewish “High Holidays” begins Friday at sundown.
The holiday, which continues through Sunday, is the start of a ten-day period of repentance and reflection that culminates with Yom Kippur on Monday, Sept. 21. Also known as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
For Jewish people across the United States, the upcoming events — always a mix of celebration and repentance — come against the backdrop of rising antisemitism.
According to a post from Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, the Center on Extremism has documented 23 terrorist plots or attacks targeting Jews and Jewish institutions since 2020, 16 of which occured in the past 25 months.
“2025 was one of the most violent years for American Jews on record,” Greenblatt said.
Still, the holidays, which are typically observed both at synagogue and in family homes, are a symbol of renewal, contemplation and hope for the year to come.
Here’s what else to know about the holiday, when it begins and more.
When does Rosh Hashanah begin?
Rosh Hashanah is observed on the first day of the month of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar.
For 2026, Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on Friday, Sept 11. and ends at sunset on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Yom Kippur comes on the last of the 10 days of repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah. The day is usually observed with fasting and extended time in deep prayer, before ending with the sounding of a “shofar,” a trumpet made from a ram’s horn.
For 2026, Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 20 and ends at sundown on Monday, Sept. 21.
What is Rosh Hashanah, and how is it celebrated?
Rosh Hashanah, meaning “head of the year” in Hebrew, is the celebration of the Jewish New Year.
Rosh Hashanah combines both joy of a New Year celebration and and feelings of seriousness and reflection associated with confronting one’s failings. Many Jewish families hold celebrations and dinners inside their homes as the holiday begins, reflecting on what they want to take into the new year with them.
Rosh Hashanah observances include special foods, traditions and mitzvahs, or commandments, and celebrations can vary from family to family. Many attend services at a temple or synagogue, where special services held with messages of hope and atonement in the new year.
A hollowed-out ram’s horn, called a shofar, is blown during services to awake any spiritual slumber and remind worshippers to return to God and reflect on their sins.
Another important part of Rosh Hashanah is Tzedakah, or giving back to those in need. The belief is that by carrying out good deeds, God will notice these efforts and bless them with a fruitful new year.
Some Jewish families toss bread crumbs into bodies of water during the High Holidays, a ritual known as “Tashlich,” to symbolize the discarding of their sins, a tradition that dates back centuries.
When does Rosh Hashanah start?
Rosh Hashanah is observed on the first day of the month of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar.
For 2025, Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on Monday, Sept. 22. and ends at sunset on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
What do people eat during Rosh Hashanah?
Fish is a traditional meal at Rosh Hashanah as it symbolizes fertility and abundance. Some people will eat the head of the fish to express the desire to be leaders and not followers in the year.
Many Jewish families also eat challah bread and apples dipped in honey, symbolizing the sweet hopes for the New Year.
Some families will also eat pomegranate fruit as its many seeds represent the many blessings in the coming year.
What should you say to someone celebrating Rosh Hashanah?
Because Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish New Year, the most common greeting is “Happy New Year.” The equivalent in Hebrew is “Shanah tovah,” (pronounced shah-NAH toe-VAH) which literally means “good year.”
Shanah tovah is the condensed version of a longer greeting L’shana tovah u’metukah, which means “for a good and sweet year.”
You can also say “chag sameach” (pronounced KHAHG sah-MEY-akh) which means “happy festival,” the Hebrew equivalent of “Happy Holidays.”
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