by Rabbi Shaps | Sep 10, 2026 | High Holidays, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Rosh Hashana
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we naturally think about new beginnings. Rosh Hashanah is a time to reflect on the past year, but even more importantly, it is a time to think about the year ahead. Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgment. We are not only judged for what we...
by Danielle Altonaga | Sep 3, 2026 | Danielle Altonaga, High Holidays, Rosh Hashana, Weekly Parsha
One spring day, when I was 9 years old, I was sitting at the table with my younger brother and his friend. Feeling wise and mature, I began to teach the 4-year-olds: Me: Hey guys, do you know what holiday is coming up? My brother: Um…I don’t know. Me: Could it...
by Rabbi Shaps | Aug 13, 2026 | Elul, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Rosh Hashana, Shoftim, Weekly Parsha
This morning we blew the Shofar heralding the new month of Elul representing the start of the High Holiday season. The Shofar is a reminder that Rosh Hashanah the Day of Judgment is approaching and we should prepare ourselves. Parshat Shoftim begins with the laws of...
by Danielle Altonaga | Sep 18, 2025 | Danielle Altonaga, High Holidays, Rosh Hashana
I remember thinking, as a kid, that being an adult would be the BEST! I mean, ice cream whenever I felt like it? No official bedtime? How cool to be IN CHARGE of everything? Many of us love the idea of being in charge…so much so, that we forget that our power is...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Sep 26, 2024 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Rosh Hashana
Why is Rosh Hashanah before Yom Kippur? On Rosh Hashanah, we are judged, and a verdict is decreed for how our coming year will go. On Yom Kippur, we do tchuva (return to G-d) and we are forgiven for our transgressions. Our Sages tell us that on Yom...
by Rabbi Gotlib | Sep 14, 2023 | High Holidays, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur
People often assume that Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are about the same thing. On the one hand, this makes sense to a degree. The days are referred to collectively as the Yomim Noraim or High Holy Days. They are united by the Ten Days of Repentance between them. They...
