Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Rosh Hashanah October 2024


Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated with thanksgiving, prayer, synagogue services, and family meals. Unlike New Years Eve and Day in the secular calendar, this is a 2 day religious holiday. You may like the recipes I'm sharing.

This year our holiday will begin at sundown on Wednesday evening October 2 -October 4. (Jewish holidays follow the lunar-solar calendar which falls at different times each year on the solar calendar which is the regular calendar).


 We are having a family dinner at my sister-in-law's house tonight.

 Tomorrow, I will be hosting our family of 25 (my children and grandchildren, my husband's siblings and their children) for a sit down ceremonial dinner on the 2nd night of the holiday.

Jewish New Year plate

It's a big job. I serve in our large finished basement, and it means moving some furniture and setting up multiple 6 ft folding tables and chairs (which are heavy). Unfortunately, I need to use plasticware because we are such a large group and I need to run up and down the stairs. This way I can just discard the plasticware.

My son came over the other day and set up the tables for us. On Sunday, one of my granddaughters and daughter-in-law came over to set the tables. I could do it myself, but it is a tradition that I love that we do it together. The tables are informal because I need to use plasticware for 25 people!!!

Homemade bagels and raisins

The meal is a joint effort. Most who attend make or bring something to contribute to the meal such as roasted vegetables, fruit salad, a salad, a gluten-free dessert (Not only am I gluten-free but 7 family members are as well), a round challah or a side dish. But there is still plenty for me to have to do and make!!!

"Shana Tova" Means "Happy New Year" in Hebrew -
Cookies by a friend's daughter Ilana Hirt ( link to her instagram)

We have ceremonial traditions and blessings that we say for new foods for the season and incorporate a lot of sweet foods (for a sweet new year)  such as pomegranates, apples dipped in honey, honey cake, dates, figs, etc. Some foods are called, "Simanim" and they have some sort of symbolism attached to them and their blessing. 

For example: Pomegranates are a symbolic food that we eat to remind us to follow G-d's commandments to do good deeds daily during the New Year. There are supposedly 613 seeds in a pomegranate and there are 613 commandments in our Torah.

apple and honey for Rosh Hashanah

My husband is of Middle Eastern (Sephardic) descent and therefore observes some different ceremonial traditions that are not as familiar to Jews of Eastern European descent (like myself). 

Chopped leek patties 

His traditions include prayers said in appreciation and symbolic for a good year. They include black eyed peas for good luck, pomegranate for prosperity and doing good deeds, chopped leeks, a fish with head and tail so you should always be at the head not the tail. 

 The symbolism of eating leeks has to do with it being a food that is cut - thus we hope that all bad intentions in this world be "cut" off and there will be peace and harmony in the coming year. Leeks symbolize our desire to create friendships not enemies. Follow this link to read more about the fascinating Rosh Hashanah symbolic foods which are called "Simanim"

In a broader sense, consuming leeks, along with other symbolic foods, reflects the hope for blessings and positive experiences in the new year. 

skillet with leeks sizzling in the pan

I cooked 40 leek patties which is a custom in my husband's tradition and have them in the freezer. Recipe link for Sephardic leek patties (they are vegetarian, not vegan).

I also made my favorite (vegan) mock chopped liver for my Eastern European tradition. Recipe link for vegan chopped liver which by the way is an excellent appetizer any time of the year! Everyone (except chopped liver haters) love it -vegetarian's or not!!!

What else will I make?

Black eyed peas Link to recipe( another symbolic food with a blessing for prosperity). This recipe is with spinach and onions but it doesn't have to be. 

Kasha Varnishkas (link) which are made with bowtie shaped pasta (mine is GF of course) buckwheat (kasha), onions, and mushrooms.

Sliced apples and honey for dipping. 

My apples won't turn brown.If you want a foolproof way to keep apples slices from turning brown, read this post of apple slices won't turn brown.


Rosh Hashanah plate
My apple and Honey Dish 

After all the ceremonial tasting and blessings, we eat the meal. The actual meal will not be vegan, only because it is too time consuming for me to cook a totally vegan meal for 25 people-- who are not even vegan.

I will order sliced brisket from a caterer,  my daughter-in-law will make a salmon dish, we'll have salad,  GF Kasha Varnishkas  a noodle kugel,  vegetarian stuffed grape leaves, roasted vegetables, and we always must have rice. My husband's family eats rice with every meal. I will make a tofu dish for myself.
Dessert: GF cake and fruit salad.
Yes, it's a lot of food!!!!

40 comments:

  1. Everything is simply beautiful! Happy Rosh Hashanah! andrea

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  2. Judee, your celebrations and traditions sound lovely! I hope you share more photos of the meal. Everything sounds delicious and filled with time honored memories.

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    1. We are looking forward to celebrating with our family. Thanks.

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  3. Sounds like you have an amazing Rosh Hashanah planned! I love that you all come together to set the tables—what a great way to bond! Your menu looks delicious, and it's awesome that you’re accommodating everyone’s dietary needs. Wishing you and your family a Shana Tova full of joy and sweet moments!

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    1. Yes so true. I have one who can't have soy products, a few dairy-free, and a few gluten-free.

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  4. Shana Tova, Judee. My grandsons have a day off school because their daddy is Jewish and they're having a family meal tonight with the rest of the local family.
    The food looks mouthwateringly delicious.

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    1. So nice that he keeps the tradition and takes his son.

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  5. I really enjoyed reading of your family celebrations and traditions. Happy New Year!

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  6. L'shanah Tovah dear Judee. Best wishes for health, happiness, and harmony in the New Year.

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    1. Thank you Nancy. Can't wait to try your vegan kugel that you. posted about.

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  7. Shana Tova, Judee! What a beautiful array of delicious and meaningful dishes. I enjoyed reading how explained what each dish represents. Best wishes for wonderful new year!
    Ciao,
    Roz

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    1. Thank you Roz and was glad to read that you weathered the storm and are safe.

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  8. Shana Tova, Judee! I wish you lots of fun and laughter with tomorrow's entertaining.

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  9. Thank you for sharing what each food represents. I did not know that about the pomegranate seeds. So interesting! Happy Rosh Hashanah!

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    1. Well that the story I heard about it.. makes sense

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  10. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and detailed insight into your Rosh Hashanah celebrations! It sounds like a wonderful blend of family, tradition, and meaningful rituals. Hosting such a large gathering can be quite the task, but the way you involve your family in the preparations makes it so special.

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    1. I can honestly say that after two days of hosting and sleepovers, I am exhausted. but it was worth it . I like how you said a wonderful blend of family, tradition, and meaningful rituals

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  11. Shana Tova to all your family. We used to have large family gatherings when my grandmother was alive. And one year we were about 80. Now my parents are alone as my mother has no family in South Africa, other than me and I don't live close to them, and my father's family are Chassidic.

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    1. Wow.. that is too bad that your mom has no one to celebrate holidays with especially that. your dad's family is Chassidic and that's all about family. Were you brought up that way?

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  12. Those patties look wonderful. My son and I were just talking today about making vegetable patties as an alternative to potatoes. It made me recall making wonderful zucchini and corn patties, as well as leek. I am going to have to make some of these over the weekend. Thanks for the reminder.

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    1. Yes I make them with leeks and with spinach and they are a nice change from potatoes. Although I served both .

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    1. Thank you so much. Same to you if you celebrate.

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  14. Happy Rosh-hashanah, Judee! I love that you are cooking dishes from both sides (I mean yours and your husband's). Enjoy!

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    1. Thank you . Yes, I try to include dishes from both traditions.

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  15. A lovely table has been set for the day. And the food looks delicious. I like that little plate with the saying, 'may your new year be as sweet as honey.' And that challah bread always looks so Yummy to me. I've seen it on other friends' blogs, and I would love to try it sometime. Looks similar to the Panetone bread I get every Christmas. So nice that you had lots of help in the preparation.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Thank you sheri . The Challah bread is delicious and the round shape is special for the new year . The rest of the year, we eat it braided.

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  16. I wish you fun and laughter with your families gathering, a special time.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you for your good wishes

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  17. That all sounds so wonderful! What a big crowd but how lovely that you can all get together to celebrate and that you have such wonderful helpers pitching in too.

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    1. It's a lot of work, but I love doing it and all being together

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  18. Your table looks amazing! Can you please invite me next year? The holiday was very low key this year, with everything going on. I am glad you were able to mark it well.

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    1. Thank you. Our prayers are with Israel.

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  19. Your Rosh Hashanah traditions sound wonderful! I especially love how your family helps you set up. I hope you made lots of new memories this year.

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  20. I do hope my comment came through ?
    A lovely looking salad and this link may help regarding the radishes not developing.

    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/radish/radish-does-not-form-bulbs.htm

    All the best Jan

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