Rosh Hashanah 2026: Dates, Traditions, Foods & Greetings

Rosh Hashanah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, September 11 and ends at nightfall on Sunday, September 13. The holiday welcomes the Jewish year 5787 and begins the High Holiday season.

For families preparing for Rosh Hashanah 2026, the holiday brings together reflection, prayer, familiar foods, family traditions and the hope for a good and sweet new year.

From apples and honey to the sounding of the shofar, many Rosh Hashanah traditions are filled with meaning. Here is a simple guide to the dates, foods, customs and greetings associated with the Jewish New Year.

Star of David Filigree Pendant with Garnet or Citrine

When Is Rosh Hashanah 2026?

Rosh Hashanah 2026 takes place from:

Friday, September 11, 2026 at sundown
through
Sunday, September 13, 2026 at nightfall

Jewish holidays begin at sunset rather than at midnight, which is why Rosh Hashanah begins on Friday evening.

Rosh Hashanah literally means “head of the year” and marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year.

Unlike the January 1 New Year, Rosh Hashanah combines celebration with reflection. It is a time to look back at the year that has passed and consider the year ahead.

What Is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is one of the Jewish High Holidays.

Synagogue services, prayer and the sounding of the shofar, a ram's horn, are important parts of the observance. Festive meals also bring families and friends together during the holiday.

The themes of the holiday include:

• Renewal
• Reflection
• Repentance
• Family
• Hope
• A good and sweet year ahead

That combination of seriousness and sweetness is one reason so many Rosh Hashanah traditions involve symbolic foods and meaningful wishes.

Why Are Apples and Honey Eaten on Rosh Hashanah?

Few foods are more closely connected with Rosh Hashanah than apples dipped in honey.

The custom expresses the wish for a sweet new year. Apples and honey regularly appear at Rosh Hashanah meals alongside other sweet and symbolic foods.

For many families, dipping the first apple into honey is one of the moments that immediately makes the table feel like Rosh Hashanah.

Why Is Rosh Hashanah Challah Round?

During Rosh Hashanah, the familiar braided challah is often replaced by a round challah.

The circular form is commonly associated with the cycle and continuity of the year. Some versions are made sweeter for the holiday, including challah with raisins or honey.

It is another example of how ordinary objects at the holiday table take on additional meaning during the Jewish New Year.

What Other Foods Are Eaten on Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah foods differ across families and Jewish communities, but several ingredients frequently appear because of their symbolism.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are often associated with abundance and good deeds. Their many seeds have made them a particularly recognizable food at Rosh Hashanah tables.

Dates

Dates appear among the symbolic foods, or simanim, eaten in a number of Jewish communities.

Carrots

Carrots, often prepared sweetly, are another traditional Rosh Hashanah food in many Ashkenazi homes.

A New Fruit

Some families eat a fruit they have not yet eaten that season, adding another expression of newness to the celebration.

The exact menu varies widely. That variety is part of the tradition: different families carry different foods, recipes and customs from one generation to another.

What Is the Shofar?

The shofar is traditionally made from a ram's horn, and hearing it sounded is one of the central observances of Rosh Hashanah.

Its unmistakable sound is closely associated with awakening, reflection and the spiritual work of the High Holiday season.

For many people, hearing the shofar is one of the defining experiences of Rosh Hashanah.

What Is Tashlich?

Another Rosh Hashanah tradition is Tashlich, a ritual connected with reflection and repentance.

It traditionally takes place near a natural body of flowing water and symbolically expresses the desire to leave wrongdoing behind and enter the new year differently.

Customs around Tashlich can vary between communities.

What Do You Say on Rosh Hashanah?

One of the most common Rosh Hashanah greetings is:

Shanah Tovah

It means “good year.”

You may also hear:

Shanah Tovah U'Metukah

This expresses the wish for a good and sweet new year.

In English, it is also perfectly natural to say:

Happy Rosh Hashanah

or

Wishing you a happy and sweet new year.

What Do You Bring to a Rosh Hashanah Dinner?

If you have been invited to a Rosh Hashanah meal, a thoughtful host gift can be a lovely gesture.

Depending on the family, ideas might include:

• Honey
• Flowers
• A special food item
• A serving piece
• A holiday card
• A meaningful gift for someone you are especially close to

If you are unsure about food or wine, it is smart to ask the host first because kosher practices vary between households.

A Meaningful Rosh Hashanah Gift for Someone Close to You

For a mother, daughter, wife, grandmother or close friend, Rosh Hashanah can also be a moment for a gift that continues beyond the holiday.

A Star of David pendant is not specifically a Rosh Hashanah symbol. It is a broader and widely recognized symbol of Jewish identity.

That distinction is what can make it meaningful for the Jewish New Year.

Apples and honey belong to the holiday table. A Star of David can go with her into the year ahead.

Star of David Filigree Pendant with Garnet or Citrine

Star of David Filigree Pendant with Black Onyx

Gold Crescent Moon and Star Pendant with Black Onyx

Rosh Hashanah 2026 FAQ

What date is Rosh Hashanah in 2026?

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, September 11, 2026 and ends at nightfall on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

What Jewish year begins on Rosh Hashanah 2026?

Rosh Hashanah 2026 welcomes the Jewish year 5787.

What does Rosh Hashanah mean?

Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year” and marks the Jewish New Year.

What is the traditional Rosh Hashanah greeting?

Shanah Tovah, meaning “good year,” is one of the most common greetings. Shanah Tovah U'Metukah adds the wish for a sweet year.

Why do people eat apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah?

Apples dipped in honey express the wish for a sweet new year.

What are common Rosh Hashanah traditions?

Common traditions include synagogue services, hearing the shofar, festive meals, eating symbolic foods, exchanging new-year greetings and, in many communities, participating in Tashlich.

Welcoming a Sweet New Year

Rosh Hashanah is a holiday filled with layers of meaning.

The sweetness of honey, the sound of the shofar, the familiar recipes brought back to the table and the words Shanah Tovah all point toward the same idea: another year is beginning.

It is a chance to gather, remember what matters and move forward with intention.

Shanah Tovah U'Metukah — wishing you and your family a good and sweet new year.

Rosh Hashanah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, September 11 and ends at nightfall on Sunday, September 13. The holiday welcomes the Jewish year 5787 and begins the High Holiday season.

For families preparing for Rosh Hashanah 2026, the holiday brings together reflection, prayer, familiar foods, family traditions and the hope for a good and sweet new year.

From apples and honey to the sounding of the shofar, many Rosh Hashanah traditions are filled with meaning. Here is a simple guide to the dates, foods, customs and greetings associated with the Jewish New Year.

When Is Rosh Hashanah 2026?

Rosh Hashanah 2026 takes place from:

Friday, September 11, 2026 at sundown
through
Sunday, September 13, 2026 at nightfall

Jewish holidays begin at sunset rather than at midnight, which is why Rosh Hashanah begins on Friday evening.

Rosh Hashanah literally means “head of the year” and marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year.

Unlike the January 1 New Year, Rosh Hashanah combines celebration with reflection. It is a time to look back at the year that has passed and consider the year ahead.

What Is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is one of the Jewish High Holidays.

Synagogue services, prayer and the sounding of the shofar, a ram's horn, are important parts of the observance. Festive meals also bring families and friends together during the holiday.

The themes of the holiday include:

• Renewal
• Reflection
• Repentance
• Family
• Hope
• A good and sweet year ahead

That combination of seriousness and sweetness is one reason so many Rosh Hashanah traditions involve symbolic foods and meaningful wishes.

Why Are Apples and Honey Eaten on Rosh Hashanah?

Few foods are more closely connected with Rosh Hashanah than apples dipped in honey.

The custom expresses the wish for a sweet new year. Apples and honey regularly appear at Rosh Hashanah meals alongside other sweet and symbolic foods.

For many families, dipping the first apple into honey is one of the moments that immediately makes the table feel like Rosh Hashanah.

Why Is Rosh Hashanah Challah Round?

During Rosh Hashanah, the familiar braided challah is often replaced by a round challah.

The circular form is commonly associated with the cycle and continuity of the year. Some versions are made sweeter for the holiday, including challah with raisins or honey.

It is another example of how ordinary objects at the holiday table take on additional meaning during the Jewish New Year.

What Other Foods Are Eaten on Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah foods differ across families and Jewish communities, but several ingredients frequently appear because of their symbolism.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are often associated with abundance and good deeds. Their many seeds have made them a particularly recognizable food at Rosh Hashanah tables.

Dates

Dates appear among the symbolic foods, or simanim, eaten in a number of Jewish communities.

Carrots

Carrots, often prepared sweetly, are another traditional Rosh Hashanah food in many Ashkenazi homes.

A New Fruit

Some families eat a fruit they have not yet eaten that season, adding another expression of newness to the celebration.

The exact menu varies widely. That variety is part of the tradition: different families carry different foods, recipes and customs from one generation to another.

What Is the Shofar?

The shofar is traditionally made from a ram's horn, and hearing it sounded is one of the central observances of Rosh Hashanah.

Its unmistakable sound is closely associated with awakening, reflection and the spiritual work of the High Holiday season.

For many people, hearing the shofar is one of the defining experiences of Rosh Hashanah.

What Is Tashlich?

Another Rosh Hashanah tradition is Tashlich, a ritual connected with reflection and repentance.

It traditionally takes place near a natural body of flowing water and symbolically expresses the desire to leave wrongdoing behind and enter the new year differently.

Customs around Tashlich can vary between communities.

What Do You Say on Rosh Hashanah?

One of the most common Rosh Hashanah greetings is:

Shanah Tovah

It means “good year.”

You may also hear:

Shanah Tovah U'Metukah

This expresses the wish for a good and sweet new year.

In English, it is also perfectly natural to say:

Happy Rosh Hashanah

or

Wishing you a happy and sweet new year.

What Do You Bring to a Rosh Hashanah Dinner?

If you have been invited to a Rosh Hashanah meal, a thoughtful host gift can be a lovely gesture.

Depending on the family, ideas might include:

• Honey
• Flowers
• A special food item
• A serving piece
• A holiday card
• A meaningful gift for someone you are especially close to

If you are unsure about food or wine, it is smart to ask the host first because kosher practices vary between households.

A Meaningful Rosh Hashanah Gift for Someone Close to You

For a mother, daughter, wife, grandmother or close friend, Rosh Hashanah can also be a moment for a gift that continues beyond the holiday.

A Star of David pendant is not specifically a Rosh Hashanah symbol. It is a broader and widely recognized symbol of Jewish identity.

That distinction is what can make it meaningful for the Jewish New Year.

Apples and honey belong to the holiday table. A Star of David can go with her into the year ahead.

Elegant Filigree Gold Hoop Earrings

Turquoise Bead Star of David Bracelet

 

Star of David Filigree Pendant with Garnet or Citrine

Rosh Hashanah 2026 FAQ

What date is Rosh Hashanah in 2026?

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, September 11, 2026 and ends at nightfall on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

What Jewish year begins on Rosh Hashanah 2026?

Rosh Hashanah 2026 welcomes the Jewish year 5787.

What does Rosh Hashanah mean?

Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year” and marks the Jewish New Year.

What is the traditional Rosh Hashanah greeting?

Shanah Tovah, meaning “good year,” is one of the most common greetings. Shanah Tovah U'Metukah adds the wish for a sweet year.

Why do people eat apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah?

Apples dipped in honey express the wish for a sweet new year.

What are common Rosh Hashanah traditions?

Common traditions include synagogue services, hearing the shofar, festive meals, eating symbolic foods, exchanging new-year greetings and, in many communities, participating in Tashlich.

As you celebrate the new year, explore our Byzantine Jewelry collection — handcrafted pieces rooted in ancient heritage, made to mark life's most meaningful moments.

Welcoming a Sweet New Year

Rosh Hashanah is a holiday filled with layers of meaning.

The sweetness of honey, the sound of the shofar, the familiar recipes brought back to the table and the words Shanah Tovah all point toward the same idea: another year is beginning.

It is a chance to gather, remember what matters and move forward with intention.

Shanah Tovah U'Metukah — wishing you and your family a good and sweet new year.