Jewish community in the Borderland celebrates Rosh Hashanah

Jews in the Borderland and around the world, are celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It’s one of two Jewish high holidays, some of the religion’s most important days of the year.

The holiday began at sundown on Sept. 29 and will end after sunset on Oct. 1. Many Jews will celebrate by attending services at their synagogues. Other traditions include the sounding of the shofar, or ram’s horn, and the eating of Jewish foods such as Challah bread and apples and honey, which signify a sweet new year.

“This is a really serious time for us,” said Robert French, the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater El Paso. “It’s a time for celebration, but also deep reflection to really take stock of who we are and where we’re heading.”

Rosh Hashanah is followed by another Jewish high holiday, Yom Kippur, which is taking place on October 8 this year. Before Yom Kippur, Jews are asked to seek forgiveness from those they may have wronged in the past year.

“It’s a time of reflection, and it’s time of togetherness,” said French. “It’s a time for people to apologize to one another for anything they may have done wrong, and to say sorry and ask for forgiveness.”