Community Corner

L'Shanah Tova: Rosh Hashanah Begins Wednesday

Jewish New Years, beginning the Days of Awe, celebrated in Sudbury.

The Chabad Center of Sudbury invites the community to join them for their unique High Holidays Services and Programs for the High Holidays of 2013. 

No Membership or affiliation needed, and there is no charge for seats.

Here is their schedule:

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Rosh Hashanah Eve Wednesday Sep 4th  
Rosh Hashnah Eve Services & Community Dinner 
41 Old Meadow Road, Sudbury, MA 01776   

Rosh Hashanah Thursday Morning Sep 5th  
  
Rosh Hashanah Morning Services 10am  
Children's Program 11am - 1pm 
Shofar Blowing 12:15pm
Services Conclude and Kiddush 1:30pm 
White Lodge, 1 Nobscot Road, Sudbury, MA

Community Tashlich Service 
Thursday Afternoon Sep 5th 4:30pm - 5:00pm 
Grist Mill at the Sudbury Wayside Inn 
Tashlich Service, Shofar Blowing, Rosh Hashanah Refreshments  
More Info

Find out what's happening in Sudburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rosh Hashanah Friday Morning Sep 6th  
Rosh Hashanah Services 10am  
Children's Program 11am - 1pm 
Shofar Blowing 12:15pm 
Services Conclude and Kiddush 1:30pm 
Chabad Center of Sudbury, 22 Union Ave #9 Sudbury, MA 01776.

Congregation B'Nai Torah will also hold services:

Sept. 4
Erev Rosh Hashanah( 7:30 PM)

Sept. 5
Rosh Hashanah Services (9 AM to noon)

Sept. 6
Rosh Hashanah 2nd Day Service (10:30 AM to noon)

Tashlich (12:30 PM)

Shabbat Yeladim (children) service (6:30 PM).

Congregation Beth El has the following services scheduled:

Sept. 4, 8:30pm Erev Rosh Hashannah Service;
Sept. 5, 7am Shacharit Service; 8:30am Rosh Hashannah; 11:30am Rosh Hashannah;
Sept. 6, 10am Rosh Hashannah Service; 6pm Shabbat Services.

Rosh Hashanah is a deeply religious occasion. The customs and symbols of Rosh Hashanah reflect the holiday's dual emphasis: happiness and humility.

Special customs observed on Rosh HaShanah include: 

  • the sounding of the shofar – a ram's horn, whose piercing sound jolts the congregants into soul-searching – using a round rather than a braided challah bread to symbolize, some say, the circularity of this season;
  • and eating apples and honey or other sweet foods to symbolize the wish for a sweet new year.

The culmination of the Days of Awe is Yom Kippur, a 24-hour fast, a day without food or water, a day that is devoted to prayer and study. The fast is not to punish the congregation – although hunger and dehydration are challenging and humbling – but to free them of daily routines to emphasize their spiritual lives.

The fast may also teach sympathy for those who often don't have enough to eat. And the fast reinforces the value of self-control, important in realizing any goals in life, not only the spiritual. 

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, ends traditionally when three stars appear in the sky, followed by a "break fast," and well wishers saying to each other, "L'Shanah Tova," Happy New Year.



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