Rosh Hashanah is a solemn time of quiet reflection when Jews take stock of their lives and achievements. It's not a time for revelry, but for thinking about God's mercy and judgement. Greetings are exchanged such as the simple 'Good Year' or more traditionally 'May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good new year'. BBC Radio Cornwall's Naomi Rowe has been speaking to members of the Jewish Community about the importance of Rosh Hashana. Use the links below to listen to the interviews.
Rosh Hashanah is also a judgement day, when Jews believe that God balances a person's good deeds over the last year against their bad deeds, and decides what the next year will be like for them.
 | | Apples are dipped in honey |
God records the judgement in the Book of Life, where he sets out who is going to live, who is going to die, who will have a good time and who will have a bad time during the next year. The book and the judgement are finally sealed on Yom Kippur. New Year isn't only celebrated in the synagogue, but at home too. A special meal is served, with the emphasis on sweetness. Apples are dipped in honey, as a symbol of the sweet New Year that each Jew hopes lies ahead. A sweet carrot stew called a tzimmes is often served.
 | | Jewish Hallah (or Challah) bread |
And at New Year the Jewish Hallah (or Challah) bread served comes as a round loaf, rather than the plaited loaf served on the Sabbath, so as to symbolise a circle of life and of the year. There's often a pomegranate on the table because of a tradition that pomegranates have 613 seeds, one for each of the commandments that a Jew is obliged to keep. Hear more with Naomi Rowe on BBC Radio Cornwall between 6-9am on Sunday morning. You can hear the programme every week online by clicking on the radio player 'listen live' logo on our homepage. | 
