The Jewish New Year Begins Wednesday at Sundown

For those of the Jewish faith, tomorrow night at sundown marks the start of Rosh Hashanah.  It's also known as the Jewish New Year, and is a time of great celebration in Judaism.  The holiday often begins with a family celebration to usher in the New Year. But while it's a time of great joy, it's also one of repentance and self-reflection.  Rabbi Cassi Kail of Temple Emanu-el in Utica says, "It's a time to think about the past year, a time of introspection--trying to think of the things we've done right and the things that we've done wrong."

And while there are some serious elements to the New Year, there are also some very sweet traditions.  It's typical to eat apples with honey on Rosh Hashanah.  The combination serves to symbolize the desire for a sweet year to come. 

Rosh Hashanah is part of what is considered the High Holidays in Judaism.  It's followed by Yom Kippur which begins at sundown on Friday, October 7th.  Rabbi Kail says Yom Kippur is a much more somber day, as it is the Day of Atonement, filled with quiet, introspective services.  Yom Kippur is considered the holiest holiday for Jewish people, other than Shabbat, or Sabbath, which occurs every week.