What To Know When Rosh Hashanah 2021 Starts In Bethesda

BETHESDA, MD — For Jews in Bethesda 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 in Bethesda or Chevy Chase.

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 look at what local synagogues and centers have planned:

Note: Check with all congregations for service locations and reservation requirements.

Temple Shalom
8401 Grubb Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Services with an asterisk (*) will also be available via Zoom.

Erev Rosh Hashanah
Monday, Sept. 6

• 5:30 p.m. - Rosh HaShanah Seder followed by BYO Dinner
• 8 p.m. - Erev Rosh HaShanah Service

Rosh HaShanah
Tuesday, Sept. 7

• 8:30 a.m. - Rosh HaShanah Morning Early Service with Integrated Youth Programming*
• 11:30 a.m. - Rosh HaShanah Morning Late Service*
• 11:30 a.m. - Rosh HaShanah Morning Youth Service
• 2 p.m. - Family Service*
• 3 p.m. - Tashlich

Second Day Rosh HaShanah
Wednesday, Sept. 8

• 10 a.m. - Second Day Rosh HaShanah Services*

Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County
8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814

Erev Rosh Hashanah
Monday, Sept. 6

• 6:30 pm – Erev Rosh Hashanah Service

Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Tuesday, Sept. 7

• 9 a.m. – Main Service
• 10 a.m. – Kol Haneshama Service
• 10 a.m. – Young Family Service for families with children birth-2nd grade (Greenwich Neighborhood Park)
• 11 a.m. – Teen Discussion (outdoors)
• 3:30 p.m. – Young Family Tashlich
• 4 p.m. – Traditional Taschlich
• 6:30 p.m. – Festival Evening Service
• 6:30 p.m. – Ma’ariv and Meditation

Beth El Services at the Hyatt Regency:

• 9 a.m. – Main Service
• 10:30 a.m. – Jr. Congregation (6th & 7th grades)
• 11 a.m. – Teen Discussion

Rosh Hashanah Day 2
Wednesday, Sept. 8

• 9 a.m. – Festival Morning Service
• 10 a.m. – Young Family Service for families with children birth-2nd grade (Greenwich Neighborhood Park)
• 10:30 a.m. – Jr. Congregation
• 11 a.m. – Teen Discussion (outdoors)

Ohr Kodesh Congregation
8300 Meadowbrook Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

First Night Rosh Hashanah
Monday, Sept. 6

• 7 p.m. - Minchah & Ma’ariv

First Day Rosh Hashanah
Tuesday, Sept. 7

• 8:15 a.m. - P’sukei D’Zimrah &Shacharit
• 9:45 a.m. - Torah Service, Musaf & Shofar Service
• 4 p.m. - Family Service Program
• 4:45 p.m. - Shofar Service & Tashlich

Second Night Rosh Hashanah
Tuesday, Sept. 7

• 7:45 p.m. - Minchah & Ma’ariv

Second Day Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, Sept. 8

• 8:15 a.m. - P’sukei D’Zimrah &Shacharit
• 9:45 a.m. - Torah Service, Musaf & Shofar Service
• 7:45 p.m. - Minchah, Ma’ariv &Havdalah

Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation
7727 Persimmon Tree Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817

Erev Rosh Hashanah
Monday, Sept. 6

• 5 p.m. - Services will be in the Main Sanctuary, in person and live streamed.

Rosh Hashanah
Tuesday, Sept. 7

• Main Service, 9:30 AM, in the Main Sanctuary, in person and live streamed. Join our clergy, musicians, and lay leaders to welcome the new year with tradition and innovation, whether in person or remotely.
• Young Family Service w/ Miss Ellie, 10:30 AM, on Zoom ONLY. For our youngest families with our beloved Miss Ellie.
• Special Torah Service, following the morning service, in the Main Sanctuary, in person and live streamed. A special presentation of the traditional Torah and haftarah texts for first day Rosh HaShana, with Torah chanting and member-led commentary.
• B’Yachad Service, 12:15 PM, outside at Adat Shalom. In-person and live streamed. For people of all ages, B’Yachad, together, with a special focus on older elementary families, led by our clergy, staff and teen leaders.
• Community Tashlich, 1:30 PM, Outside at Adat Shalom, in person ONLY. Following our Special Torah and B’Yachad services, a chance to partake of the tradition of casting our sins out, led by Rabbi Fred.
• Tashlich Ritual and Ma’ariv, 6:00 PM in the Main Sanctuary, in person ONLY. An alternative Tashlich, followed by traditional evening service with Rabbi Rachel.

Rosh Hashanah Day Two
Wednesday, Sept. 8

• 9:30 a.m. - Main Service in the Main Sanctuary, in-person and live streamed.

Bethesda Jewish Congregation
6601 Bradley Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817

Monday, Sept. 6

• 8 p.m. - Erev Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah
Tuesday, Sept. 7

• 10 a.m. - Service
• 1 p.m. - Tashlich (Cabin John Park)
• 3 p.m. - Family Service

Chabad of Bethesda
5324 Goldsboro Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817

Rosh Hashana Evening One
Monday, Sept. 6

• Outdoor Full Service (7:00pm - 8:00pm)

Rosh Hashana Morning One
Tuesday, Sept. 7

• 11:30 a.m. - Shofar
• 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Indoor Full Service
• 11 p.m. to 1 p.m. - Outdoor Partial Service

Rosh Hashana Evening Two
Tuesday, Sept. 7 *Tashlich*

• 6 p.m to 8 p.m. - Outdoor Full Service

Rosh Hashana Morning Two
Wednesday, Sept. 8

• 11:30 a.m. - Shofar
• 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Indoor Full Service
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m - Outdoor Partial Service

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Jewish Community Group
Online

Monday, Sept. 6

• Rosh Hashanah Evening Service starting at 7:30 PM

Rosh Hashanah
Tuesday, Sept. 7

• Rosh Hashanah Main Services starting at 10:00 AM
• Rosh Hashanah Family Services starting at 2:45 PM

Chabad of Chevy Chase
6700 Brookville Road Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Monday, Sept. 6

• 7:30 p.m. - Evening Service

Tuesday, Sept. 7

• 9 a.m. - Morning Service
• 10:15 a.m. - Children's Program
• 10:30 a.m. - Shofar Blowing
• 12:30 p.m. - Tashlich at Rock Creek
• 8 p.m. - Evening Service

Wednesday, Sept. 8

• 9 a.m. - Morning Service
• 10:15 a.m. - Children's Program
• 10:30 a.m. - Shofar Blowing

Not sure what to expect during a Rosh Hashanah service? Chabad.org offers a breakdown of what happens once you enter the synagogue.