what to do on rosh hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is usually celebrated with prayer, reflection, symbolic foods, and festive meals. Common practices include attending synagogue services, hearing the shofar, lighting holiday candles, eating apples dipped in honey, and doing Tashlich near moving water.

What to do

• Go to synagogue and listen to the shofar. The holiday’s morning prayers are longer than usual, and the shofar-blowing is a central observance.

• Eat symbolic foods. Apples with honey are a classic way to wish for a sweet new year, and many families also enjoy round challah and other holiday foods.

• Do Tashlich. This is a symbolic ritual, often done on the first afternoon, where people cast away sins by going to water and reciting special prayers.

• Reflect and repair. Rosh Hashanah is a time for self-examination, apology, forgiveness, and planning to do better in the coming year.

• Share greetings. A common blessing is to wish others a good, sweet year.

Simple at-home version

If you are not going to services, you can still mark the day by lighting candles, sharing a festive meal, reading a short prayer or reflection, eating apples and honey, and doing a simple personal version of Tashlich or another reflection ritual.

Quick plan

1. Light candles if it is the evening before the holiday.

2. Attend services or listen to the shofar.

3. Eat a holiday meal with symbolic foods.

4. Reflect on the past year and make a plan for the next one.

5. Do Tashlich if that is part of your tradition.

If you want, I can also give you a kid-friendly , at-home , or non- religious Rosh Hashanah activity list.