Police to step up patrols during Jewish holidays

Eastern Time. Out west in Los Angeles, California, Rosh Hashanah formally begins at 6:17 p.m.

Adonai said to Moshe, (God said to Moses) "Tell the people of Israel, 'In the seventh month, the first of the month is to be for you a day of complete rest for remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar". "And we didn't give up even when they tried to censor us". During the 10 days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Nori'im), they repent their violations of God's law and the wrongs they have done to others. As with all major Jewish holidays, candles are also lit. Through striking photographs, readers see how Jews from California to Zimbabwe, and from Mexico to Jerusalem, participate in the holiday rituals. And how come people are celebrating New Year now?

Jews also enjoy round loaves of Challah bread, which are the most recognisable food during Rosh Hashanah.

Their leadership role is of particular importance during the holidays.

"Instead of fleeing from things that make us uncomfortable, by embracing them we lift up our spiritual and emotional selves to be able to live more fully", she said.

The shofar, a central symbol of the High Holidays, "is made from the horn of a ram", Heiligman explains. "It was sounded in ancient times as a wake-up call for battle, for announcing holidays and for anointing kings", Becker said.

"Rosh Hashanah translates to head of the year, so it's the start of the year", said President of Kehilat Shalom, Mike Goldman.

- 8 p.m.: Eve of Rosh Hashana Services*.

Synagogues and temples hold special services on the days of Rosh Hashanah, and many Jewish households say special prayers together. "It is called Tashlikh, which means to send away". Any body of water (lake, ocean, river, stream, pond) can be used for this objective. We turn our pockets inside out, as if emptying out all our sins.

"Anyone who doesn't see it, anyone who doesn't realize the need in CT, one of the wealthiest states in the nation, just doesn't have their eyes open." he said. "I think children can relate to this". "I hope to join the spirit of this season and do some reflection of my own". "It is said, 'On Rosh Hashanah it is written, on Yom Kippur it is sealed'".

Each of the volumes in the series is written with input from a consultant.

"Yom Kippur has always been a hard holiday", Schwartz said, "similar to Passover, in which eating habits are quite restricted".

It is the annual time for the Hebrews' high holidays. Rosh Hashanah starts on Sunday. "We believe that our god is benevolent and at the same time all powerful, and because of that, without fear you really can not believe in our god".

"It is a Biblical commandment to blow the shofar on the holiday" explained Blazer. It's also a reminder of renewal for the New Year. "And we are spiritually ready to begin again".