On September 12, Jews across California as well as at Congregation B’nai Chaim in Murrieta will gather together to sing and pray after sundown in a thousands-of-years-old tradition, ushering in the Jewish New Year 5768.

Known as Rosh Hashanah, it begins a 10-day period known as the Days of Awe. This culminates September 21 and 22 in the Holy Day called Yom Kippur, which is better known as the Day of Judgment and the Day of Atonement.

In prayers read from a Prayer Book called a "Machzor," congregants will begin a process of repentance to make amends with God and separately with one’s fellow man. One traditionally "confesses" one’s sins and "does teshuvah" (repentance) for the sins, mistakes and ethical shortcomings, which during the past year, represent a breach between ourselves and God, between ourselves and others.

In the Sermons preached and the liturgies read by Clergy and Congregation, participants focus on the frailties and possibilities of Life. Through readings, meditations and music, congregants connect with their power to spiritually transform themselves, their relationships and the world. One important idea during these Jewish High Holy Days is the sense that each human being is on trial by God for his or her actions. These actions are designated as sins or transgressions of commission or omission.

On Yom Kippur, as a sign of contrition, it is customary to fast. It is believed that on Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] this day, the verdict of how one will be in inscribed in the Book of Life for the coming year is decided and sealed by God.

The premise of these Holidays is that individuals are capable of healing, forgiveness, change and redemption. One makes mistakes – commits transgressions – in life. But it is possible to turn one’s life around – to heal the breach we have created overtly, covertly or by accident in our lives as individuals, families or communities.

On Rosh Hashanah Jews are reminded of the circle of life between the individual, God and the World. This explains why there is a custom of eating a round loaf of bread called "Challah" at the holiday festive meal before the Rosh Hashanah Services. During that same meal it is customary to eat pieces of apple and Challah bread dipped in honey and wish everyone a happy, sweet, healthy New Year.

In addition, a ram’s horn called the Shofar is sounded during prayer services. These "Shofar" blasts serve to literally and symbolically awaken the congregation from individual and collective spiritual slumber and complacency. For more than thousands years Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Holy Days have served to remind the Jewish People of human imperfection. Yet, although as human beings, we may not be perfect, we are still capable of sincere prayer leading to introspection, repentance, forgiveness, transformation and, ultimately, redemption.