Rosh Hashanah Survival Guide–Updated for 2017/5778

I first wrote the checklist below ten years ago. I'm republishing it as a new post, for the third time. I've also set up a page with the best posts about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Some of the tips below only apply when Rosh Hashanah is on Shabbat or leads into Shabbat. Don't hesitate to … [Read more...]

Last-Minute Rosh Hashanah Greetings

How have your Rosh Hashanah preparations been? After a lot of typical pre-holiday anxiety I just realized that I don't have so much cooking left. When I asked my husband what simanim (symbols) he wanted to see on the table, he said, "Apples and honey." So I decided not to stress about making a lot … [Read more...]

(Mostly) Inspiring Links for Rosh Hashanah

I'm pleased to present a great list of links for your reading and viewing pleasure. Mekubal has been bravely reporting details about the pedophile ring in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem. The Ministry of Public Diplomacy start a website for sending new year greetings to Jews across the … [Read more...]

Shanah Tovah 5771

Image via Wikipedia Check out the Rosh Hashanah Survival Guide for a last minute checklist. The beginning of the new year is a time to review and reassess. One son finished his advanced army training and is scheduled to be on leave from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippur. "But don't count on … [Read more...]

Back-to School Shopping

I know we're already deep into Rosh Hashanah and, unfortunately, politics and terror, but I hope it's not too late to share this picture from one of my visits to the bookstore to amass the required materials. While the owner of the store was ringing up my purchase, someone called looking for a … [Read more...]

Guest Posts: Islamic Breastfeeding, Volunteering and Rosh Hashanah

I have three posts up at other sites that you may find interesting. If you enjoy them, show the hosts some love by leaving a comment or sharing the link. On Green Prophet, I reviewed the book A Fading Art: Understanding Breastfeeding in the Middle East. It was interesting to read how Islamic … [Read more...]

Menu Planning for Rosh Hashanah

There are a lot of things I'd rather be writing about today, but I can't avoid the subject any longer. I'm talking about Rosh Hashanah, less than three weeks away beginning Wednesday evening, September 9. Not only is the two-day holiday followed immediately by Shabbat, making it a "three-day Yom … [Read more...]

Rosh Hashanah Appliance Woes

Was it the freezer last year? Yes, it was. For years I've enjoyed my Hagaz, a type of timer for gas stoves that allows you to cook on Yom Tov. On certain weekday holidays, one may light a stove from an existing flame but not put it out. Newer models of stoves are equipped with a sensor that turns … [Read more...]

Menu and Cooking Plan for Rosh Hashanah with Meatball Recipe

On Rosh Hashanah we eat four festive meals. Here's how I organized the cooking. I prefer not to cook in advance, as I like meat to be freshly cooked. Also, food that has been cooked and defrosted shouldn't be refrozen, so pre-freezing causes a problem with leftovers. Last week I baked and … [Read more...]

The Number One Reason for Making Aliyah

Having just finished two days of marathon eating and praying on Rosh Hashana, I am so grateful that we don't have to do this very often. So in honor of the new year, and to give chizuk (encouragement) to our struggling olim chadashim (new immigrants), here's a comparison of the holidays in Israel … [Read more...]