Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year.
Rosh Hashanah
The Latest
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Fast Forward Philadelphia Transit Worker Fired for Refusing To Work on Rosh Hashanah
A janitorial worker for Philadelphia’s mass transit system is suing the agency for firing him after he refused to work on Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat. Romel McAlpin, who belongs to the Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ, which preserves some Jewish holidays, said he informed the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, of his…
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Food Apple Adventures
Photograph by Len Zangwill My son decided that he wanted to pick apples so that the family could make applesauce together. He had just read “Apple Days”, by Alison Sarnoff Soffer, the PJ Library book that had taught him how to do it. My wife and I figured it would be a stretch to find…
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Life When Yom Kippur Prayers Don’t Help Grieving
Rosh Hashanah prayers, as depicted in the 18th century // Copyright Wikimedia Commons My father was buried on the eve of Rosh Hashanah 2002 and the holiday began just a few surreal hours after I stood at his open grave. The shiva — the seven-day period of formal mourning — was cancelled to usher in…
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Fast Forward Chabad Emissary Spends Rosh Hashanah in Nepal Jail
The Chabad emissary to Nepal spent the first day of Rosh Hashanah in a Kathmandu jail due to a clerical error on his visa. Rabbi Chezki Liftshitz, co-director of Chabad of Kathmandu, was freed on the second day of the holiday following urgent appeals from his wife, Chani, Chabad officials worldwide, and U.S. and Israeli…
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Opinion Breadcrumbs and Gedaliah: My Post-Rosh Report
I remember, as a kid, feeling that the Unetanetokef prayer (“Who will live and who will die”) didn’t apply to me. “Who by sword” seemed archaic; “Who by water” remote. But that prayer becomes alarmingly vivid as we get older. This year it felt as if every peril leapt off the page. “Who shall see…
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Food The Making of a Plum-Perfect Honey Cake
Photograph by Liza Schoenfein I’ve had honey cake on the brain lately. I know: Haven’t we all? But I can say with confidence that I’ve been more immersed in honey-cake contemplation than the average Jewish woman approaching the High Holy Days. Not only did I just interview Rose Levy Beranbaum about her glorious version of…
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Food Recipe: Plum-Perfect Honey Cake
This gluten-free take on a Rosh Hashanah classic incorporates Italian plums for a seasonal twist. Photograph by Liza Schoenfein Cooking spray 4 Italian plums, halved lengthwise and pits removed ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon raw sugar, divided 1½ cups almond flour/meal, such as Bob’s Red Mill ½ cup gluten-free all purpose flour, such as Bob’s…
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Fast Forward Barack Obama Says ‘Shana Tova’ to Jewish World
President Obama in Jewish New Year greetings spoke of a challenging past year and new hope. “As Jews across America, Israel, and the world gather together for the High Holidays, Michelle and I extend our warmest wishes to you and your families for a sweet and happy new year,” Obama said from the White House…
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