What date is Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 2023?
Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on Friday, the 15th of September for two nights until Sunday, the 17th of September.
Yom Kippur is from sunset on the 24th of September until the sunset of the 25th of September.
What is the meaning of Rosh Hashanah 2023?
The overall meaning is the marking of the beginning of the Jewish New Year and celebrations around it. The two days of Rosh Hashanah usher in the 10 Days of Repentance, also known as the Days of Awe, which culminate in the major fast day of Yom Kippur. which is the Day of Atonement.
Why is Rosh Hashanah important to you and your family?
Rosh Hashanah and other high holidays in Judaism like Pesach have always symbolised a time for my family - extended family: aunts, uncles, cousins etc - to come together to celebrate. My immediate family is more secular, however it has always been a way to connect and still develop those family relationships. Besides being lucky to eat a five course hearty meal with recipes that have been passed down over generations.
How do you celebrate?
The first night has always been with direct family and the second night, I’ve gone to close friends to share the festivities with as I see them as family. My brother, sister and I lost our mom two years ago to pancreatic cancer and are dispersed between Amsterdam and Cape Town. This year I’ll be celebrating with my brother, his fiance and her parents who will be travelling from Johannesburg to Amsterdam to celebrate with us.
What traditions do you celebrate?
Traditions are generally heading to the synagogue but as more spiritual, I tend to reflect on the past year going into the Day of Atonement.
What are some of the symbolic foods you like to enjoy?
Apples and honey is always a winner! The indulging in a sweet treat is a tradition and is a symbol on the table in hoping for a sweet year ahead.
Can you share some memories?
Funnily enough, my memories don't necessarily revolve around the Rosh Hashanah family table. When I lived in Cape Town, I was a volunteer for NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) which is the same as the RNLI in the UK and KNRM in the Netherlands. For 22 years I served as a coxswain, rescue crew and eventually the Station Commander, before I left to join Bynder in Amsterdam. Rosh Hashanah has weirdly brought about fairly large rescues that involve assisting and saving a lot of lives during the rescue operation. I’ve tended to go straight from a intense rescue operation to getting off the boat and running off to Rosh Hashanah dinner twice, at least what my brain can remember over the years. Though now living in Amsterdam and our familial table changing, I’m looking forward to making new memories to join the nostalgia as we all grow and develop new traditions. It’s mostly being really appreciative of my childhood and for my siblings and I to have the support of our family, extended family and friends.
