Rosh Hashanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. It is the Jewish New Year, and the beginning of the JewishHigh Holy Days, a 10-day period of reflection and repentance that culminates in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Unlike the secular New Year celebrated on Jan. 1, Rosh Hashanah is not about partying into the night or makingresolutions you might forget by February. Instead, it’s a deeply spiritual moment — a sacred checkpoint in time when Jews take stock of their lives, their actions, and their relationships with others and with God.

Celebrating the Holiday

Jewish students can find community and connection at Jewish Student Life/Hillel events throughout the High Holiday season. This year, we are joining students at USC Hillel for services and meals. Be sure to RSVP on LEO in advance toreserve your spot and sign up for carpools.

The holiday dates shift slightly every year based on the Hebrew calendar (which tracks the moon as well as the sun), but it is always in the fall, between early September and early October. This year, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown onMonday, Sept. 22, and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, Sept. 24. It is observed with prayer services, personal reflection, time with family, and hearing the shofar — a ram’s horn whose sound is meant to awaken the soul.

For LMU students navigating academic pressure, social expectations, and the constant balancing act of school-life-work,Rosh Hashanah offers a rare and sacred pause. In the rush of campus life, where deadlines and distractions pile up, Rosh Hashanah is a quiet but firm reminder that you are more than your GPA, schedule, or social media feed.

Rosh Hashanah gives space to breathe and reflect. It’s a kind of spiritual “reset” button, offering a chance to turn toward healing and growth.

Religious Significance

At the heart of Rosh Hashanah is the concept of teshuvah, which means “return.” Often translated as “repentance,”teshuvah is about “turning back” and returning to your best self, your values, your community, and God.

In Jewish thought, human beings are seen as inherently good, but imperfect. We all mess up. We say things we shouldn’t, ignore the needs of others, act selfishly, or fail to act when we should. Rosh Hashanah doesn’t ignore thesefailures — it invites us to confront them honestly, but with compassion.

The High Holy Days challenge each of us to ask: Who have I become this past year? Who do I want to be in the year tocome? How can I repair the harm I’ve caused — to others, to myself, to the world?

In this way, Rosh Hashanah is not just a private spiritual exercise; it is an ethical and communal one. It asks us to take responsibility for our lives and choices, and to approach others with humility and a willingness to make amends.

Traditions and Symbols

While the reflective nature of Rosh Hashanah is central, the holiday is also filled with beautiful and symbolic traditions. We eat sweet foods, such as apples dipped in honey, to symbolize our desires for a sweet year ahead. Families and communities come together for festive meals, often beginning with blessings over round challah bread (symbolizing thecyclical nature of time) and pomegranate seeds (representing abundance and good deeds).

Another powerful custom is tashlich, where people gather near a body of flowing water to symbolically cast off their sins by throwing pieces of bread or small stones into the water. It’s a simple but profound ritual — literally letting go of the weight we’ve been carrying, and watching it float away. Recently, a tradition of “reverse tashlich” has emerged, duringwhich we clean up the area around a body of water to help repair environmental damage from litter. Consider stopping by the beach this season to help beautify the world with a beach-cleanup.

For non-Jewish members of the LMU community, Rosh Hashanah offers a chance to learn more about Judaism and to stand in solidarity with Jewish friends and colleagues. That might mean offering a simple “Shanah Tovah” (“Good year”)to someone who is observing the holiday. It could mean accommodating missed classes or assignments withunderstanding and grace. Or it might just mean taking a moment in your own day to reflect on what it means to begin again.

We are all works in progress. Rosh Hashanah reminds us that growth is possible — that no matter what happened lastyear, last month, or even yesterday, we can choose a different path today.

Shanah Tovah! Wishing you a good and sweet new year!