12 Well-Loved Rosh Hashanah Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the typical Rosh Hashanah menu? ›

For Jews of Eastern European and Russian descent (Ashkenazi), an old-world-inspired celebratory feast would feature round challahs, chicken soup, a slow-roasted brisket or roast chicken, sweetened roasted root vegetables that always include carrots, and a wide variety of side dishes.

The meal begins with Kiddush, a blessing over wine, and then continues with blessings over round challah bread dipped in honey and other foods that express our wishes for a plentiful, spiritually uplifting, and sweet new year.

In English: "We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the tree." avoteinu v'imoteinu, shetchadesh aleinu shanah tovah um'tukah. In English: "May it be Your will, Eternal our God, that this be a good and sweet year for us."

Each of the chosen foods —generally a pomegranate, date, string bean, beet, pumpkin, leek, and fish head — symbolize a wish or blessing for prosperity and health in the coming year.

It is also a celebration of the day when God created the world and marks the beginning of a new year. Jews may ask for forgiveness for any wrongdoings they have done, and many Jews will spend time in the synagogue during this time. Rosh Hashanah ends with a long blast on the shofar.

Of course, the main part of the meal was always traditional Ashkenazi cuisine: raisin challah, matzo ball soup, brisket, kugel, apple cake, cookies, and other Northern European-style foods.

During dinner, blessings are said over candles, wine and challah. The first bite of food traditionally eaten is a chunk of challah dipped in honey, followed by apple slices dipped in honey.

Those observing Rosh Hashanah often greet one another with the Hebrew phrase, “shana tova” or “l'shana tova,” meaning “good year” or “for a good year.” According to History.com, this is a “shortened version of the Rosh Hashanah salutation 'L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem' ('May you be inscribed and sealed for a good ...

The common Jewish prayer known as Shehechiyanu expresses gratitude to God for making it possible that family and friends reached the holiday season. In English, it reads: "Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive and sustained us and brought us to this holiday season."

Although Jerry Seinfeld may disagree, it is never too early or too late to offer people new year wishes – along with the hope that they will experience opportunity and blessing in the year ahead. Shana tova u'metukah – wishing you a sweet new year!

What to bring for Rosh Hashanah dinner? ›

If you're attending a Rosh Hashanah celebration as a guest, it is customary to bring a gift. Traditional choices include honey, apples, pomegranates, or kosher wine. A sweet dessert or a bouquet of flowers could also be appreciated. It's always best to ask the host if there's anything specific they would prefer.

According to Chabad.org, it's customary for some who observe Rosh Hashanah to go to a body of water to perform a Tashlich ceremony, which involves symbolically casting away their sins. Some people literally throw things like bread into the water, and some, following prayers, shake out the corners of their clothes.