Jews usher in High Holy Days and a new year in Charlotte and around world

Jews in Charlotte and around the world continued their celebration of Rosh Hashana on Monday by gathering in synagogues for prayer, blowing the shofar, or ram’s horn, and wishing each other “Shana Tova” – Happy New Year.

Also called the birthday of the world, this Rosh Hashana ushers in year 5777 on the Jewish calendar and marks the start of the High Holy Days. These 10 Days of Awe – a period of repentance and introspection – will culminate with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which starts at sundown on Oct. 11.

Jews believe that on Rosh Hashana, God writes names into a metaphoric Book of Life for the coming year. On Yom Kippur, God seals the Book of Life. God’s judgment is final but can be influenced by repentance, prayer and acts of kindness.

Tim Funk

This story was originally published October 3, 2016 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Jews usher in High Holy Days and a new year in Charlotte and around world."