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NEW CANAAN, Conn. New Canaans Jewish community is looking forward to a positive and fruitful new year as it gathers Sunday for Rosh Hashanah.
Rabbi Levi Mendelow, who established Chabad of New Canaan more than two years ago, said he expects about 100 people to attend services over three days at the New Canaan Nature Center. Evening services will be held at 6:45 p.m. Sunday and Monday and morning services will be held at 9 a.m. Monday and Tuesday. The shofar, a rams horn, will be sounded at 11 during both morning services.
Rosh Hashanah, the first and second days of the Jewish New Year, is the start of the High Holy Days and occurs in the Jewish month of Tishrei. It occurs 10 days before Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah customs include the sounding of the shofar, a rams horn, and eating symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey. Sunday will be the start of the year 5773.
Those who regularly attend Chabad services are mindful of events going on in the world, including the troubles in Israel and the Middle East, and want to see better times here and in the Holy Land, Mendelow said.
I think everyone is hopeful and introspective on how they can improve themselves and by extension the whole world, Mendelow said. I thank God that weve seen wonderful growth and that weve seen more participation.
Chabad of New Canaans services will be inclusive and inviting with readings in English and Hebrew. Educators and youth leaders will conduct programs for children during the services. The program is designed to give the children a happy experience that includes prayers, stories, songs, contests, games and refreshments.
As excited as he is for Rosh Hashanah, Mendelow said hes also anticipating the upcoming community Torah scroll dedication, which will be held Sept. 23. Having a scroll in New Canaan is a real milestone for the community, he said.
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