What To Know As Rosh Hashanah 2021 Starts In Imperial Beach

IMPERIAL BEACH, CA — For Jews in Imperial Beach and around the world, the holiday known as Rosh Hashanah begins Monday night. The two-day celebration, which ends Wednesday at sundown, marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year.

Considered one of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashanah brings an opportunity for repentance and atonement. It’s also a time when communities come together over special foods, traditions and mitzvahs, or commandments.

Curious about this special Jewish holiday? Here are five things you should know:

1) What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year” and marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is a two-day period that culminates with Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, considered the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

The two-day period is also referred to as “The Days of Awe.”

In Judaism, Rosh Hashanah is considered the sixth day of “Creation,” the day that Adam and Eve were made. Because of their creation, it’s also considered the day the universe’s potential was first recognized; therefore, it’s also considered the birthday of the universe.

2) How is Rosh Hashanah celebrated?

Most notably, Jews will spend significant time in a synagogue or temple praying, listening to the blowing of the shofar, and reflecting on the past year. Also, there is a traditional trip to a body of water where bread is thrown, symbolizing the casting of sins into the depths of the sea, as referenced in the Bible.

Other Rosh Hashanah observances include candle lighting in the evenings and desisting from creative work.

3) What’s a shofar, and why is a ram’s horn so important?

A shofar is a trumpet made from the horn of a kosher animal with the marrow removed. The central mitzvah or commandment of Rosh Hashanah is to hear the shofar being blown, often in a synagogue, and ideally as part of the prayer service.

Chabad.org says the Torah refers to Rosh Hashanah as the “day of the shofar blast.” Since Rosh Hashanah is two days long, the shofar is blown during the daytime hours of both days, unless the first day falls on Shabbat, in which case the shofar is blown only on the second day.

The Torah doesn’t specify why the blowing of the shofar is important on Rosh Hashanah; however, here are 10 reasons for this special mitzvah.

4) What foods are served during Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah feasts traditionally include round challah bread (studded with raisins) and apples dipped in honey, pomegranate, and other foods that symbolize wishes for a sweet year. Some feasts serve parts of the head of a fish or a ram, expressing the wish that “we be a head and not a tail.”

It’s traditional to stay away from nuts as well as vinegar-based and sharp foods in order to avoid “a bitter year.”

5) Attend a service near Imperial Beach.

Last year, many Jews celebrated Rosh Hashanah at home or virtually amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

While many may opt to do the same this year, it’s likely in-person services will be more available as a growing number of Americans get vaccinated against the COVID-19.

Here's a list of nearby synagogues and centers:

• B'nai Shalom: 201 East Broadway, Vista
• Chabad Carmel Valley: 4881 Almondwood Way, San Diego
• Chabad Center of University City: 3813 Governor Drive, San Diego
• Chabad of Chula Vista: Otay Ranch, Chula Vista
• Chabad of Coronado: 1330 Orange Ave., Suite 120-130, Coronado
• Chabad of Downtown San Diego: 275 Island Ave., San Diego
• Chabad of East County: 7290 Navajo Road, Suite 207, San Diego
• Chabad of Encinitas: 735 Adelaide Circle, Encinitas
• Chabad of Pacific Beach: 4240 Gresham St., San Diego
• Congregation Beth Am: 5050 Del Mar Heights Road, San Diego
• Congregation Beth El: 8660 Gilman Drive, La Jolla
• Congregation Beth Israel: 9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego
• Congregation Ner Tamid: 12348 Casa Avenida, Poway
• Congregation Ohr Shalom: 2513 3rd Ave., San Diego
• Temple Adat Shalom: 15905 Pomerado Road, Poway
• Temple Beth Shalom: 208 Madrona St., Chula Vista
• Temple Emanu-El: 6299 Capri Drive, San Diego
• Temple Etz Rimon: 2020 Chestnut Ave., Carlsbad
• Temple Solel: 3575 Manchester Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea
• Tifereth Israel Synagogue: 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Diego

Not sure what to expect during a Rosh Hashanah service? It can be a dizzying experience even for the seasoned attendee, but Chabad.org offers a breakdown of what happens once you enter the synagogue.