2024-10-03 16:05:03
holidays
After what felt like a short September, October is quickly rearing its head. This year, the Jewish High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, fall in October. Rosh Hashanah starts on the evening of Wednesday, October 2nd, and ends on Friday, October 4th; Yom Kippur starts the evening of the evening of Friday, October 11th and runs through Saturday, October 12th. We’ve covered everything you need to know about the Jewish High Holy Days, including how to observe both in Hudson County and the Northern New Jersey area. Read on to learn more about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 2024 — including where to buy challah, bagels, apples, + other holiday treats.
All About Rosh Hashanah
In Judaism, holidays begin on the evening before the day is observed. The reason for this stems back to the Creation story — it’s believed that God created night before day, so nighttime is viewed as being the start of the following day. The book of Genesis reads, “And it was evening, and it was morning; day one.” According to the Torah, every day begins with the night before. This is why Shabbat dinner is held on Friday nights even though Saturday is the Sabbath.
Rosh Hashanah is the official Jewish New Year and is one of the holiest days in the whole religion. It starts on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Jewish Calendar. During Rosh Hashanah, it is customary for Jews to eat apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year. Challah bread, which is eaten frequently in many Jewish families, is also served in a round or spiral shape rather than the usual long loaf. People have different interpretations for this, but many say it’s meant to symbolize continuity, the circle of life, and/or progress. Jews wish each other l’shana tova on Rosh Hashanah, which translates to, “For a good year.”
Read More: 100+ Activities for Your Fall 2024 Bucket List in Hoboken + Jersey City
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, also known as Yamim Noraim or the Days of Repentance. During these 10 days, which end with Yom Kippur, Jews are meant to reflect on their past mistakes and repent. It’s believed that God keeps a book on who will live and who will die for the upcoming year — on Rosh Hashanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed, meaning Jews have these 10 days to make good decisions before the book is closed.
We are currently in the year 5784, with the year 5785 being welcomed on the evening of Wednesday, October 2nd.
This year, Rosh Hashanah begins the evening of October 2nd and runs through the evening of Friday, October 4th. Hoboken Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, October 3rd in honor of the holiday.
All About Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur closes out the Days of Awe and is one of the most solemn and holiest days of the year in the Jewish religion. Yom Kippur is a day of atonement, and observant Jews must fast (abstaining from food + drink) for a full 24 hours from sundown to sundown. The day is meant to be spent in prayer, meditation, and personal reflection as well as seeking forgiveness and giving forgiveness for all past sins.
The day culminates in a big breakfast with friends and family. Ashkenazi Jews typically eat brunch-style foods like bagels and lox, while Sephardic Jews often prefer light breads and savory meats. The idea is to try to eat something filling and satisfying without upsetting the stomach after the fast.
This year, Yom Kippur starts on the evening of October 11th and runs through Saturday, October, 12th.
Local High Holy Day Events
Services at Temple Beth-El | 2419 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
Temple Beth-El has several different events in honor of both Rosh Hashanah + Yom Kippur. Registration forms can be filled out online. Here’s the schedule of events:
Rosh Hashanah:
Wednesday, October 2nd
Thursday, October 3rd
- 10AM: Rosh Hashana — 1st Morning + Shabbat Services
- 1:30PM: Shofar + Schmooze
- 2:30PM:
- 4:30PM: Tashlich in Liberty State Park
Friday, October 4th
- 10AM: Rosh Hashana 2nd Morning Services
- 7PM: Rosh Hashana Shabbat Dinner (separate registration required)
Yom Kippur:
Friday, October 11th
Saturday, October 12th
- 9:45AM: Yom Kippur Morning Services
- 1:30PM: Contemplative Meditative Walk in Lincoln Park led by Robb Kushner
- 1:45PM: Family Services for Yom Kippur
- 3:15PM: Yizkor (Memorial) + Martyrology Service remembering the victims of October 7th
- 4:15PM: Mincha/Ne’ilah + Havdalah
Services at The United Synagogue of Hoboken | 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken
The United Synagogue of Hoboken will host a range of services for Rosh Hashanah + Yom Kippur for people of all ages. Registration is required for most events.
Rosh Hashanah:
Wednesday, October 2nd
- 4PM: Erev Rosh HaShanah/Young Family Musical Service
- 7PM: First Night Evening Service
Thursday, October 3rd
- 9AM: 1st Day of Rosh HaShanah Morning Service
- 10AM: High Holiday Family Musical Services
- 10:30AM: Learning Center Programs + Services for Children
- 4:30PM: High Holiday Family Musical Services at Pier A Park
- 5PM: Mincha Afternoon Service
- 5:30PM: Tashlikh + Shofar Blowing
- 7PM – Ma’arlv Evening Service
Friday, October 4th
- 9AM: 2nd Day Morning Service + Shofar Blowing
- 10AM: Young Family Musical Service
- 10:30AM: Learning Center Programs + Services for Children
- 6:30PM: Shabbat Shuvah Evening Service
Saturday, October 5th
- 9:30AM: Shabbat Shuvah Morning Service
Yom Kippur:
Friday, October 11th
- 4PM: Young Family Musical Services
- 5:30PM: Mincha Afternoon Service + Supervised Activities for Children
- 5:45PM – Kol Nidre Evening Service
Saturday, October 12th
- 9AM: Morning Service
- 10AM: Young Family Musical Services
- 10:30AM: Learning Center Programs + Services for Children
- 12PM: Yizkor Memorial Service
- 4PM: Public/Community Yizkor Service
- 4:30PM: Mincha Afternoon Service
- 6PM: Neilah Concluding service
- 7PM: Final Shofar Blast + Havdalah/Light Break-Fast
Services at Chabad Young Professionals of Hoboken + Jersey City | Downtown Jersey City
Chabad Jewish Center, servicing the communities of Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken, Union City, and Bayonne, will provide services for all the High Holidays.
Rosh Hashanah Dinner with Chabad Young Professionals of Hoboken + Jersey City | Downtown Jersey City
Worshippers can celebrate Rosh Hashanah with a dinner hosted by Chabad Young Professionals of Hoboken + Jersey City at the CYP House in Downtown Jersey City on Wednesday, October 2nd at 7:30PM and on Thursday, October 3rd at 7:30PM. Tickets start at $45.
Shofar Happy Hour with Chabad Young Professionals of Hoboken + Jersey City | Downtown Jersey City
Chabad Young Professionals of Hoboken + Jersey City will host 15-minute Shofar + Tashlich services on Friday, October 4th at 5:30PM in the CYP Garden in Downtown Jersey City.
Local Ideas for Observing Rosh Hashanah + Yom Kippur
When it comes to purchasing apples + honey for Rosh Hashanah, local farmers’ markets are a great way to go. We’ve rounded up farmers’ markets in Hoboken + Jersey City to get the freshest apples and local honey. There’s also a honey farm in North Bergen called Uncle Gordon’s Honey, located at 1504 67th Street, North Bergen.
Many pick-your-own apple farms are also open for a fun family gathering prior to Rosh Hashanah — because nothing beats hand-picked, fresh local apples.
Many grocery stores sell challah, especially around the High Holy Days, but here are some local Northern New Jersey spots that sell challah bread:
- Babka Bailout: 476 Central Avenue A, Jersey City
- Bovella’s Pastry Shoppe: 101 East Broad Street, Westfield
- Cait + Abby’s Bakery: 15 Sloan Street, South Orange
- CHOC O PAIN: Multiple locations in Hoboken + Jersey City, Challah is available for pickup, but must be 48 hours in advance
- Foster Village: 469 South Washington Avenue, Bergenfield
- Hank Schwartz’s Delicatessen: Online order only, preorders available for the Yom Kippur breakfast bundle
- The Kosher Nosh: 894 Prospect Street, Glen Rock
- Liv Breads Artisan Bakery + Coffee Bar: 184 Essex Street, Millburn
- Marcel Bakery + Kitchen: 631 1/2 Valley Road, Montclair
- Nana’s Deli: 210 Hudson Street, Jersey City (inside Harborside Building) + 27 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston
- Noah’s Ark: 493 Cedar Lane, Teaneck
- Tenafly Kosher Deli + Caterers: 22 Washington Street, Tenafly
- Yuki’s Coffee + Bakery: 720 Monroe Street Store E101, Hoboken
See More: Where to Find Passover Dishes in New Jersey
For the Yom Kippur breakfast, here are our picks for some of the best bagel shops in Hoboken and Jersey City many of which also sell favorites like white fish salad, lox, tuna fish, and more. For those willing to travel a little, Hobby’s in Newark is also one of the best and most reputable Jewish delis in the area. Mikki and Al’s Noshery at 14 Park Street in Montclair is another great Jewish deli in Northern New Jersey.
Many synagogues have started live-streaming services during the pandemic era, so for those looking to observe without leaving home, keep an eye out on your local temple’s website for details.
From all of us at Team HG, we wish everyone who is celebrating an early l’shana tova.
