Danbury Celebrates Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah

DANBURY, Conn. – The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, begins Sunday night, marking the start of the faith’s holiest days.

Rosh Hashanah begins on the first day of the Jewish month of Tishri, and the holy period continues with Yom Kippur, begins on the 10th day of the month of Tishri. The Hebrew New Year will be the year 5773.

“It is a time to reflect on the past year, and look ahead to the year to come,” said Bonnie Wunsch, financial secretary and past president of the congregation at the United Jewish Center at 141 Deer Hill Avenue in Danbury.

The 80-year-old United Jewish Center is Danbury’s oldest synagogue, and currently it presided over by Rabbi Clifford Librach and Cantor Penny Kessler. More than 200 Danbury and surrounding area families worship at the center, which is also the home of K-10 afterschool religious education facility.

The time of reflection is part of the Days of Awe and includes services that run from Sunday evening until Tuesday. Danbury schools are closed on Monday in observance of Rosh Hashanah and again on Sept. 26 for Yom Kippur.

The center’s Rosh Hashanah services begin Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Traditions include the eating of apples and honey, which signify hope of a sweet year, and also Tashlich services to figuratively toss away sins of the past year. The center will hold its Tashlich service at Bennett Park in Bethel on Monday at 4 p.m., because a stream or river is needed to toss the sins into (pieces of bread).

“Rosh Hashanah is considered more of a joyous celebration, while Yom Kippur is more somber,” Wunsch said.

A ceremonial blowing of the Shofar ram’s horn marks the end of Yom Kippur.

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