Rosh Hashanah 2019: When It Begins, Del Mar-Carmel Valley Details

DEL MAR-CARMEL VALLEY, CA — Why wait until December when it’s cold and no one really wants to be outside to celebrate the new year? For Jews around the world, the new year begins Sunday at sundown, the start of the two-day holiday known as Rosh Hashanah.

In Del Mar, Carmel Valley and throughout San Diego County, Jews will be gathering to mark the start of the holiday. Among the places that you can go to celebrate:

• Beth Eliyahu Torah Center-Chabad of Bonita, 5012 Central Ave., Bonita
• Chabad of Carlsbad North, 2635 Madison St., Carlsbad
• Chabad at La Costa, 1980 La Costa Ave., Carlsbad
• Chabad Carmel Valley, 11860 Carmel Creek Road, Carmel Valley
• Chabad of Chula Vista, Chula Vista
• Chabad of Coronado, 1330 Orange Ave., Coronado
• Chabad of Encinitas, 659 Cornish Drive, Encinitas
• Chabad at UCSD, 8901 Gilman Drive, La Jolla
• Chabad of La Jolla, 909 Prospect St., Suite 210, La Jolla
• Chabad of Pacific Beach, 4240 Gresham St., Pacific Beach
• Chabad of Poway, 16934 Chabad Way, Poway
• Chabad Jewish Center of RSF, 5690 Cancha De Golf, Building 100, Rancho Santa Fe
• Chabad-Jewish Student Life of San Diego, 6115 Montezuma Road, San Diego
• Chabad of Downtown San Diego, 419 West G St., San Diego
• Chabad of East County, 7290 Navajo Road, Suite 207, San Diego
• Chabad San Diego Headquarters, 10785 Pomerado Road, San Diego
• Chabad Without Borders, 3830 Valley Center Drive, Suite 705-103, San Diego
• Chabad Alef Center, 649 Sandy Lane, San Marcos
• Chabad Center of University City, 3813 Governor Drive, San Diego
• Chabad of Oceanside/Vista, 1930 Sunset Drive, Vista

Here’s a brief guide to the holiday.

What is “Rosh Hashanah?”

The words actually mean “head of the year” and are used to mark the beginning of the new year. Rosh Hashanah is a two day period that culminates with Yom Kippur, the day of atonement and the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

That period is referred to as “The Days of Awe” and is focused on repentance and atonement.

In Judaism, Rosh Hashanah is considered the sixth day of “Creation,” the day that Adam and Eve were made. Because of their creation, it is considered the day that the potential of the universe was first recognized. Thus, it’s also considered the birthday of the universe.

When is it?

It begins at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 29, and ends at sundown on October 1.

What? It begins and ends at sundown?

In Judaism, it's not only the holidays that start at sundown but every day. In the Book of Genesis, it says that "it was evening and it was morning." So, Jews consider that to mean that the evening comes first and then morning and that's how the days are marked. It's something that has also taken on the added meaning of, things may seem dark at first, but there will be light and it will get better.

How is it celebrated?

Several ways. Most notably, Jews will spend a lot of time in synagogue or temple praying, listening to the blowing of the shofar, and reflecting on the year gone by. Also, there is a traditional trip to a body of water where bread is thrown, symbolizing casting sins into the depths of the sea, as referenced in the Bible.

Shofar? Is that the rams horn that I’ve heard about?

Yes. The blowing of the shofar – or ram’s horn – represents a call to atonement. It is symbolic of the passages in the Bible when Abraham is called to sacrifice his son, Isaac, At the last minute, God allows Abraham to sacrifice a ram instead.

Are there special foods?

As with most Jewish holidays, the answer is yes. In this case, the challah bread is round to represent the cycle of life. There is also a lot of honey: for dipping challah, dipping apples,all of which symbolizes hoping for a sweet new year.

Do people wish each other a happy new year?

Yes. The traditional greeting is “Shanah Tovah,” which means “good year.”

Is there anything else that I should know?

This upcoming year is 5780. This means that for the next few weeks, many American Jews will make the same joke: I can’t believe that I’m writing 5779 on my checks.”