The festival of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a joyous occasion celebrated by members of the Jewish community all over the world.
The festival consists of many elements, including prayer services in synagogues and the blowing of an ancient musical instrument called a “shofar“, which is made from a ram’s horn. However, one of the most anticipated aspects of Rosh Hashanah is undeniably all of the delicious, sweet foods that Jewish people eat throughout the festival.
During Rosh Hashanah, Jewish people will frequently use the Hebrew greetings: “Shana Tova” or “Shana Tova U’Metukah” meaning: “A good year” or “A good and sweet year.” To that end, the sweet foods that are eaten during Rosh Hashanah symbolise the hope for a sweet and happy year ahead. Two of the most recognisable food staples to be found on the table during Rosh Hashanah are apples and honey, a tradition that has passed down the generations for centuries.
This is accompanied by a song that is taught to young children at cheder (Jewish Sunday school), which goes: “Dip the apple in the honey, make a brocha [blessing] loud and clear. L’Shana Tova U’Metuka, have a happy sweet New Year.”
In addition to dipping the apple in the honey, Jewish people also frequently eat honey cake, pomegranates and round raisin loaves of challah to see in the New Year.