http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm
Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game.
There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making “resolutions.” Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. More on this concept at Days of Awe.
For my family, I try to create an opportunity for all of us to remember the wonderful things we did this past year, and the things we did that, well, looking back, we should have made different choices.
We play a CD with the sound of the Shofar, a rams horn, that sounds the beginning of high holidays and begins the process of repentance. I love this opportunity to really contemplate the past year. The kids and I take croutons, throwing them into the pond, we “cast off our bad deeds”.
We pray G-d will forgive us, we pray to accept forgiveness from others, we remember to give to those in need.
