The Jewish Holidays are almost here!

Rosh HaShanah is less than a week away. There are many ways to celebrate to make this holiday meaningful. So, what exactly are we celebrating? Rosh HaShanah is the start of the New Jewish Year. This year we are beginning 5780 and we always hope the New Year will be a sweet one! To celebrate this aspect of the holiday delicious foods can be eaten. From apples and honey to round challah with (or without) raisins to sweet kugel, all of these foods literally give us a sweet taste in our mouths. Some eat pomegranates with the hopes that we will live and have as many blessings as there are seeds in a pomegranate. A traditional greeting is “Shanah Tova” literally meaning “a good year” and of course one of the highlights of the holiday is hearing the sound of the shofar.

A second aspect of Rosh HaShanah is kind of prep work for Yom Kippur. Beginning with Rosh HaShanah and for the 10 days that follow Jewish tradition teaches that we do the serious work of making amends for ways in which we have hurt one another and when appropriate, granting forgiveness to those who have hurt us. This time can be profound and healing in so many ways.

For some Rosh HaShanah is celebrated by going to services, for others it is family time with a special meal and for many it is a combination of both. I would like to invite you to join MAKOMnj for Rosh HaShanah. Our services are a bit more casual then a synagogue service and they are held in the beautiful Morris Museum. We have lovely blend of Holy Day melodies as well as melodies you know and love that set us in the right mood for these special days. Our intimate setting helps you to feel a part of a warm community where, like the theme song from the TV show Cheers, “Everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came.” To join us for High Holy Day services, visit our website www.MAKOMnj.org and click the register tab on the top right.

MAKOMnj is a new approach to Jewish community. We are independent, religiously liberal and welcoming to all. MAKOMnj offers warm, accessible and meaningful experiences for all who consider themselves to be Jewish or Jew-ish. At MAKOMnj there is no judgement, no strings attached and no dues. We meet in homes, event spaces and other interesting venues in and around Morris and Essex Counties. Visit our website, MAKOMnj.org, for more information.