Alexandria Readies for Rosh Hashanah 2013

by Karen Goff

It's an early Jewish New Year in 2013 as Jews in Reston and all over will ring in 5774  Wednesday night through Friday.

Rosh Hashanah, which occurs 143 days after Passover according to the Greogorian calendar, will be the earliest it has been since 1899.

Jews typically celebrate the holiday by attending services to hear the blowing of the shofar (ran's horn) and welcome the new year. They also celebrate with traditional meals that include a round challah bread the represent the circle of life and apples and honey for a sweet new year.

Rosh Hashanah, which literally means “head of the year,” signals the beginning of the High Holy Days. Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, (this year on Sept. 13-14) 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 theshofar, or ram’s horn, during services on Rosh Hashanah marks a time to contemplate past mistakes and find ways to make things right.

While most local synagogues require advance tickets to services, there are a couple of free, last-minute options.

Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria will have Rosh Hashanah services from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and at 10 a.m. Thursday. More info here.

Agudas Achim Congregation in Alexandria has Rosh Hashanah services scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. Thursday. More info here.

Ohev Yisrael Messianic Jewish Congregation in Lorton will have Rosh Hashanah service at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. More info here.