The “high holidays” are almost here for Jews in Iowa. The so-called Jewish New Year is the most important holiday of the year for those who observe it, unlike Hanukkah which, though it sometimes falls near Christmas on the calendar, is a minor holiday in the religious rankings.
Rosh Hashanah begins on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, and tonight at sundown the holiday notes the start of the year 5767. There are family customs and special festive recipes for the holiday…but unlike yuletide, the ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are known as the Days of Awe, and are supposed to be spent in repentance and sober soul-searching.