For Charlotte Jewish community, Rosh Hashana – the Jewish New Year – ushers in High Holy Days

During Monday’s Rosh Hashana service at Charlotte’s Temple Beth El, Torahs – sacred parchment scrolls containing the first five books of the Hebrew Bible – were carried out to the congregation. Members reverently touched them with a tallit (prayer shawl) or prayer book. T. Ortega Gaines ogaines@charlotteobserver.com

Jews in Charlotte and around the world continued their celebration Monday of Rosh Hashana – the Jewish New Year.

Often called the birthday of the world, the holiday began Sunday at sunset and ushered in Year 5776 on the Jewish calendar.

At Charlotte’s Temple Beth El, a Reform Jewish congregation, there was the traditional blowing of the shofar, or ceremonial ram’s horn, as worshippers filled the sanctuary to mark the beginning of the High Holy Days.

A 10-day period of introspection, they will end with Yom Kippur, the sober Day of Atonement, which will begin at sunset on Sept. 22.

Tim Funk

This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 5:55 PM with the headline "For Charlotte Jewish community, Rosh Hashana – the Jewish New Year – ushers in High Holy Days."

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