Residents from The Fed’s Heathlands Village share with JLife their reflections on Rosh Hashanah.
Family gatherings, resolutions, extended meals, and delicious foods such as apples and challah dipped in honey: the traditions associated with Rosh Hashanah are both well-known and much-loved. But to what extent are they put into practice in today’s world? In a society dominated by technological and social distractions, are the customs still carried out?
A number of residents from The FED’s Heathlands Village helped JLife delve into the importance of the celebrations, as well as reflect on their own personal experiences marking the New Year.
Evelyn Brunner
“To me Rosh Hashanah meant a new beginning, a revitalisation. Without this Yom Tov people would lose all faith – it makes people’s traditions alive.
“Celebrating Rosh Hashanah as a child I remember the way I would show off my new clothes in shul in the morning.”
Ian Shein
“The festival is a time of hope for a good New Year knowing that everything would be alright.
“I grew up in a close knit community in Edinburgh and people in the community would wish each other a ‘happy New Year’ as they passed in the street.”
Miriam Field
“For me I recall Rosh Hashanah afternoon always involving a walk to Albert’s Park in Salford to say Tashlich by the pond.”
Sol Gicht
“The festival of Rosh Hashanah signifies a time of hope for a good New Year and a time for recognising that everything would be ok.”
Sylvia Livingstone
“As a child I looked forward to the proper Shabbos dinner that waited for me after the prayers.”