2020 finds the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah beginning on the evening of Friday 18th September. (It changes each year due to it being based on the moon’s cycle and some celebrate it as 2 days and others only 1 day).

On this holiday Jews from all over the world celebrate God’s creation of the world and humanity’s role within it as it is considered the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. 

It is the first of ten High Holy Days that end with Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. 

Rosh Hashanah customs include the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn), attending synagogue, and enjoying festive meals; some like to get a haircut or wear new clothes and some may refrain from using electrical devices, working, driving or writing. Symbolic foods such as apple dipped in honey is a tradition that hopes to invoke a sweet new year. Pomegranates are also used to symbolize being fruitful and fertile like the pomegranate with its many seeds.

The common greeting on Rosh Hashanah is Shanah Tovah or Shanah Tovah U’metukah

The tradition of sending greeting cards for the Jewish New Year is thought to have originated with Jews in Germany in the mid-1800s. It's not obligatory to bring or send gifts for the Rosh Hashanah holiday, but it's a thoughtful gesture that will certainly be appreciated. Food gift baskets are thought to be particularly relevant Rosh Hashanah gifts to give, since the Jewish holiday is often celebrated with particular foods.

Hay Hampers have created a range of Rosh Hashanah gifts that include symbolic food items such as apples, honey, pomegranates, and dates. As well as other Kosher certified treats and wine to enjoy and celebrate with. 

Celebrations and attendance to synagogue are of course a little unusual this year and not quite what we are all used to nor what we would all like them to be. But through us, you can send your loved ones a gift direct to their door to show how much you miss them and are thinking of them during the times that are so important to you all. We take the responsibility of your gift in our hands very seriously and are always here to help.