Big Tent Judaism

Cracking the Code on Rosh Hashanah

A few months ago, the Jewish Outreach Institute — as part of our Big Tent Judaism Initiative — released a pocket glossary of commonly used Jewish community words. We distributed copies of the glossary, which we called “Cracking the Code: A pocket glossary of commonly used Jewish Words,” to the over 250 members of the Big Tent Judaism Coalition to provide to newcomers to the Jewish community. We also established a webpage for those who would like to learn more about the acronyms, Hebrew words and Yiddishisms that comprise the “language of the Jewish community.”

In honor of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which begins on Monday, September 29 at sundown, we provide you with this supplement to our pocket glossary: “Cracking the Code: A blogged glossary for Rosh Hashanah.”

Rosh Hashanah: Literally Hebrew for “head of the year.” Marks the beginning of a new Jewish year.

Shofar: Ram’s horn sounded in synagogue on Rosh Hashanah.

Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah, Tekiah Gedolah: Names for the sounds of the various shofar blasts.

Mahzor: Prayer book used on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Shana Tova (U’Metukah): Literally Hebrew for “good (and sweet) year.” Common Rosh Hashanah greeting.

From all of us at JOI, we would like to wish you a happy, healthy and inclusive New Year!

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