In 2025, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Monday, Sep. 22 and ends at sundown on Wednesday, Sep. 24.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah, literally the “head of the year,” is the Jewish new year. It is a time of introspection and atonement. The central theme and practice not only of Rosh Hashanah, but of the entire fall holiday season, is teshuvah — a word commonly translated as “repentance,” but which more literally means “return.” Rosh Hashanah — and the holiday that follows it by ten days, Yom Kippur — are intensely focused on teshuvah. Many Jews see this as a time to make amends or apologize to those they have wronged in the past year and resolve to do better in the year about to begin.
How Do You Celebrate Rosh Hashanah
One of the common practices of Rosh Hashanah is attending synagogue services and hearing the blowing of the shofar, or ram’s horn, the central mitzvah of the holiday. Another beloved practice is the Tashlich service, in which one’s sins are symbolically cast into a natural body of running water.
What Are Rosh Hashanah foods?
The foods most associated with Rosh Hashanah are apples and honey, which are eaten as an expression of hope for a sweet near year. There is also a tradition of eating other symbolic foods at Rosh Hashanah meals, including pomegranates, dates, leeks and a fish head — all of them symbolic of a wish for the year to come. On the second night of Rosh Hashanah it is customary to eat a new fruit, a symbol of newness. It is also customary to have big feasts on both nights of Rosh Hashanah and there are thus a plethora of customary dishes, including: honey cake, brisket and tzimmes. Click here for more Rosh Hashanah recipes.
With your help, My Jewish Learning can provide endless opportunities for learning, connection and discovery.
Your Rosh Hashanah Questions, Answered
How do I greet someone on Rosh Hashanah?
What does shanah tova mean?
Do I need tickets to attend Rosh Hashanah services?
Can I stream Rosh Hashanah services online?
Is it true that bread is thrown into a river on Rosh Hashanah?
Is there a special prayer book used on Rosh Hashanah?
What is a shofar?
What are Rosh Hashanah prayers about?
Do Jews send Rosh Hashanah cards?
More Rosh Hashanah Resources
Traditional Rosh Hashanah Food and Recipes
9 Things You Didn’t Know About Rosh Hashanah
The Art of Teshuvah
How Rosh Hashanah Became New Year’s Day
10 Things the Shofar Symbolizes
Selichot: Prayers of Repentance
9 Books to Prepare You For the High Holidays
Future Rosh Hashanah Dates
In 2026, Rosh Hashanah will begin on Friday September 11 and conclude on Sunday September 13.
In 2027, Rosh Hashanah will begin on Friday October 1 and conclude on Sunday October 3.
In 2028, Rosh Hashanah will begin on Wednesday September 20 and conclude on Friday September 22.
In 2024, Rosh Hashanah was celebrated from October 2 to October 4.
Want to learn more about the High Holidays? Sign up for a special High Holiday prep email series.
