In Hebrew Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year" and is a time to remember the creation of the world. The holiday begins at sunset on the first day of Tishri and ends at sunset on the second day of Tishri. Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim). During the Days of Awe Jewish people take time to consider their year and prepare to make atonement on Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is referred to as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). It can also be referred to as the Feast of the Trumpets. At sundown on September 22, 2006, Tishri 1 of the Jewish year of 5767 will begin.

The shofar is a ram's or antelope's horn and is blown like a trumpet. The shofar is sounded in the synagogue and many believe that it is a call to repentance. In Jerusalem the shofar is sounded every Friday evening to begin the Shabbat.

On Rosh Hashanah the Jews are not allowed to work.  They spend time in a synagogue where they use a special prayer book called a machzor which is only used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Services focus on the sovereignty of G-d. Some Jews, especially those in Israel, will go to a stream, river or creek where the water is flowing and empty their pockets. This custom not found in the Bible is called tashlikh, which means casting off and is done to cast off your sins. Some Jews visit the graves of the dead because they believe the prayers of the dead can help the living. In modern times cards and letters are sent to friends and family to share what happened in the year past and plans for the new year.

It is a time for good deeds. During the last month of the year, Elul, Jews begin to consider their deeds during the past year. It is a time for charity, tzedakah.

Blessings are said over two loaves of challah, a round bread that symbolizes the kingship of G-d. Apples dipped in honey are served as a wish that the coming year will be sweet. Sometimes families will also dip bread in the honey for the same reason. A mixture of yams, carrots, prunes, honey and cinnamon called tzimmes is also eaten. Fruit is hidden in a basket to show that no one can know what the new year will be like. Some Jews will also serve fish which is a wish for prosperity and good luck in the new year.

A common greeting during the celebration is:

Rosh Hashanah should not be confused with other new years found in Jewish scripture. There are different types of new years. Rosh Hashanah is the first day of Tishri, the seventh month, and begins the numbering of a new year. Other new years are: