Celebrating Rosh Hashanah 2012 in the St. Charles Area

This Sunday, as the day draws to a close, the Jewish community will ring in year 5773 as part of their celebration of Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year. The festivities will continue until nightfall on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

In the St. Charles area, the following area synagogues have activities scheduled:

Congregation Kneseth Israel

Website: http://www.ckielgin.org/

Phone: 1-847-741-5656

Address: 330 Division St. Elgin

Services:

• 7:30 pm. Sunday, Sept. 16
• 9 a.m. services both Monday, Sept. 17, and Tuesday, Sept. 18
• 10 a.m. youth services Monday, Sept. 17, and Tuesday, Sept. 18

Congregation Beth Shalom

Website: http://www.napershalom.org/

Phone: 1-630-961-1818

Address: 772 W. Fifth Ave., Naperville

Services:

• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16
• 9:30 a.m. services both Monday, Sept. 17, and Tuesday, Sept. 18

Congregation Etz Chaim of DuPage County

Website: http://www.CongEtzChaim.org

Phone: 1-630-627-3912

Address: 1710 S. Highland Ave., Lombard

Services:

• 8:15 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16.
• 10 a.m. services both Monday, Sept. 17, and Tuesday, Sept. 18. Special children’s services and baby-sitting will be available. Tickets are required for admission to High Holiday services.

Rosh Hashanah, which literally means “head of the year,” signals the beginning of the High Holy Days. Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, marks the end, and together they are two of the holiest days for Jews.

Like most New Year celebrations, Rosh Hashanah is a time of introspection and a time to bring about changes in the coming year. The traditional blowing of the shofar, or ram’s horn, during services on Rosh Hashanah marks a time to contemplate past mistakes and find ways to make things right.

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.

Newton 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