Rosh Hashana at Whitney Young

Jannah Mosi

As many of you know, homecoming at Whitney Young this year is coming a bit earlier than usual, specifically, September 28th, which falls on a Thursday this year. Many students expressed confusion as to why. The reason that the date has been moved is due to a Jewish holiday, known as Rosh Hashana.

What is Rosh Hashanah? Rosh Hashana, also known as Yom Teruah, is the Jewish new year festival. The marking of this holiday occurs by blowing the Shofar, which is a ceremonial instrument made from a hollowed out ram’s horn. This holiday culminates Yom Kippur. Historically, Rosh Hashana is the birthday of the universe and is the day God created Adam and Eve. According to Dr. Warren Goldstein, South Africa’s chief Rabbi,”The key to understanding the themes of Rosh Hashanah is the date. The Day of Judgment for the world was not chosen arbitrarily, but is specifically on this date — not because it is the first day of the year, but because it is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.”

Celebratory traditions include eating festive meals, attending prayer services at a synagogue, and lighting candles. Symbolic foods are eaten, such as as apples dipped in honey, to symbolize bringing in a sweet new year. The festivities last for a total of two days.

We wish all of our Jewish students a WONDERFUL holiday and thank our student body and staff for being flexible, understanding and accepting this minor date swap  courteously and respectfully.