Welcoming in the Jewish New Year

Staff from the School of Engineering and Digital Arts celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year on Thursday 24th September 2015. Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora’im (‘Days of Awe’) which usually occur in the early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere. Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration, which begins on the first day of Tishrei.

The day is believed to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, and their first actions toward the realization of mankind’s role in God’s world. It marks the start of a ten day period of self-examination and reflection on the past year. Rosh Hashanah customs include sounding the shofar (a hollowed-out ram’s horn) and eating symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey to evoke a ‘sweet new year’, and this particular treat was enjoyed by various members of staff.