How to Celebrate Rosh Hashanah as a Miami Newcomer

By  //  July 31, 2022

Due to the fact it derives from the Hebrew calendar, the Jewish new year actually comes around in autumn, which means it isn’t that far away. 

Named Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year is a celebration of the creation of the world and a time for judgment. In Jewish belief, the new year marks the time that God weighs a person’s good acts and bad acts and decides exactly how they will fare over the next twelve months.

It is traditionally celebrated over two days, both of which can include services at the synagogue as well as meals that involve ingredients such as honey, apples and challah.

The feeling of togetherness and community is strong during this holiday, which is why it can be a cause for concern for those who have recently moved into a new area.

For anyone who has found a new home in Miami in the last year or so, finding ways to have fun, joy-filled Rosh Hashanah festivals might seem like a bit of a task, especially if you have not yet embedded yourself in the Miami Jewish community.

If this sounds like you, don’t panic. There are plenty of things you can do to ensure your Jewish year is rounded out in the best way possible.

The Online Community Is Your Friend

While it might seem counterintuitive, spending time behind the computer can actually be a great way to form connections. A lot of Miami events and activities are advertised most prominently online, and there are also plenty of forums of social media platforms that have Miami-based Jewish members.

Just a quick search will reveal a number of celebrations will be taking place across Miami. These include dinners (there is a 3-course gourmet Rosh Hashanah dinner taking place in the Chabad Downtown Jewish Centre in September), services and a variety of festivals, which will be perfect to kick off the new year in style.

Discover Local Synagogues Ahead Of Time

With nearly 120,000 Jews living in Miami, there are plenty of synagogues and services which are regularly attended by the community. In this way, you should strive to seek out your local synagogues and get to know the locals ahead of time, in order to give yourself options for the Rosh Hashanah celebration.

These could include the Temple Israel of Greater Miami, Temple Beth Tov-Ahavat Shalom or Beth David Congregation, all of which are popular synagogues that are located in the heart of the city. Go to these synagogues, befriend members of the community, and by the time Rosh Hashanah comes you will have a variety of choices on your plate.

Invite Family And Friends To Your Place

The Jewish don’t do things by halves. The holidays are plentiful, the celebrations are joyous and (perhaps most importantly) the food is in ample supply. This is why it can be a good idea to utilise your own space to put on your own Rosh Hashanah celebration. If you have taken the time to seek out the Miami Jewish community, there’s no reason why you cannot invite members round to yours for a special meal of your own.

There are plenty of Rosh Hashana food recipes as well as special online judaica holiday sets which will kit out your dining room and make the event special. This will also be a great idea for anyone looking to create a good impression on the locals and be respected across the Miami Jewish community.