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Jewish Life & Celebrations

Rosh Hashanah

Home Service for Rosh HaShanah

This home service for Rosh HaShanah was developed by Rabbi Peter Schweitzer for The City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, and is provided courtesy of the Congregation.

L'SHANA TOVA

L'sha-nah to-vah ti-ka-tei-vu (2)
A good year, a year of peace, we wish to you.



CANDLES


Tonight, with sunset, according to the way Jews mark time, the New Year, Rosh HaShanah begins. Jews, the world over, are gathering and are gathered, to review their lives, to celebrate their achievements, to pledge anew their commitment to lives dedicated to honesty, justice, goodness and peace.

As these candles give light to us who behold them, so may we, by our lives, give light to all who behold us.

As their brightness reminds us of our ancestors who have kindled light, so may we serve as beacons to our children, who will walk in our light.

Let the fire we kindle be for us a warming flame, whose brightness shows us the path of life.

May the dancing flames of these candles kindle warmth within our hearts, wisdom in our minds, and passion in our souls.


Light the candles.

Baruch ha-or ba-olam.
Precious is the light within the world.

Baruch ha-or ba-adam.
Precious is the light within each person.

Baruch ha-or ba-yom tov.
Precious is the light of the holiday.



AYFO OREE
by Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine

Ay-fo o-ree? O-ree bee.
Ay-fo tik-va-tee? Tik-va-tee bee.
Ay-fo ko-khee? Ko-khee bee.
V'gam bakh.

Where is my light? My light is in me.
Where is my hope? My hope is in me.
Where is my strength? My strength is in me.
And in you.



WINE

We celebrate the fruit of the vine and the bounty of nature as we lift this cup and sip its wine. May the taste of this wine upon our lips stir within us a reverence for nature, a respect for human endeavor, and an acceptance of the fullness of life.

Ba-ruch-eem ha-hy-eem ba-o-lam.
Precious is the life within the world.

Ba-ruch-eem ha-hy-eem ba-ah-dam.
Precious is the life within us.

Ba-ruch-eem ha-yohtz-reem p’ree ha-ga-fen.
Praised are those who bring forth the fruit of the wine.

L’chaim! To Life!

Ba-ruch-eem ha-hy-eem ba-o-lam.
Ba-ruch-eem ha-hy-eem ba-ah-dam.
Ba-ruch-eem ha-yohtz-reem p’ree ha-ga-fen.
L’chaim!

Drink the wine.




CHALLAH

The round challah before us represents the unity of the world. As this challah is one, so do we join hands in our common humanity, sharing the fruits of our labors. As we enjoy this food, thankful for healthand security, we are deeply aware of the needs of all people to share in the earth’s bounty.

Ba-ruch mah-t’nat ma-zone.
Blessed is the gift of food.

Ba-ruch ah-mahl kah-peh-nu.
Blessed is the work of our hands.

Ba-ruch leh-khem ha-ah-retz.
Blessed is the bread of the earth.

Ba-ruch-eem ha-mo-tzee-eem leh-khem meen ha-ah-retz.
Blessed are those who bring forth bread from the earth.



Ba-ruch mah-t’nat ma-zone.
Ba-ruch ah-mahl kah-peh-nu
Ba-ruch leh-khem ha-ah-retz.
We bless bread from the earth.

Eat the challah.




GREETINGS FOR A GOOD YEAR

L'Shanah Tovah Metookah!
May we all have a sweet New Year!

May it be a healthy year!

May it be a year of peace!


Enjoy the apples and honey!

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