Theresa Villiers, Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet, has released the following Rosh Hashanah message.
“I would like to wish Shana Tova to all those in Barnet who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah.
As we approach this important date in the Jewish calendar, I know many of my constituents will be preparing for the upcoming festivities with friends and family.
The celebrations begin at sunset, marking the start of the New Year according to the traditions of Judaism. So I would like to wish all those celebrating Rosh Hashanah a happy and sweet New Year”.
Beginning on the first day of Tishrei, Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration. The festival is marked by the lighting of candles, prayer services with the sounding of the ram’s horn or Shofar, and a Rosh Hashanah dinner. A meal which often includes traditional foods such as pomegranate and apples dipped in honey to symbolise a sweet new year.