Rosh Hashanah is both a joyous time and a period of serious religious reflection. One of the common customs of Rosh Hashanah is to eat apples dipped in honey and to wish others a “sweet” New Year. The preeminent symbol, however, is that of blowing the shofar — a “trumpet” generally made from the horn of a ram (because of its association to the binding of Isaac, the Torah portion read for Rosh Hashanah). The shofar also should be bent or curved in a shape to symbolize the bent and humbled spirit appropriate on Rosh Hashanah. For more than 30 years, it has been the privilege of our senior rabbi to sound the shofar at services on Rosh Hashanah morning.

On the Eve of Rosh Hashanah 5771, Rabbi Posner and Cantor Corrsin will officiate in the Temple Sanctuary (Fifth Avenue at 65th Street); Rabbi Ehrlich and Rabbi Zeidman will officiate in the Lowenstein Sanctuary. They will switch locations for the Day of Rosh Hashanah. Services from the Temple Sanctuary (Yom Kippur eve and day) will be available for listening live on the Emanu-El Web site, through the Emanu-El audio player after completion of the live service, or as podcasts. (MP3 files are available for one week after the service.)