What do you eat on Rosh Hashanah?

Common foods include round challah and apples dipped in honey, symbolizing a sweet new year. Many Sephardic families also have an extended simanim seder with symbolic foods like dates and pomegranates. Customs vary by family and community.

How long is the Yom Kippur fast?

The Yom Kippur fast lasts from before sunset the evening before until nightfall the next day, roughly 25 hours, and includes abstaining from food and drink.

Does everyone have to fast on Yom Kippur?

Certain people are exempt or have modified obligations, including young children, and those with relevant health conditions or pregnancy concerns. Anyone with a health concern should consult a rabbi and a doctor.

Tashlich is a Rosh Hashanah custom, often performed near a body of water, symbolizing the casting away of the past year's misdeeds as part of the season of reflection.

What happens between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?

This period, known as the Ten Days of Repentance, is traditionally a time for reflection, repairing relationships, and charitable giving in preparation for Yom Kippur.

High Holidays Family Guide: Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur

Quick answer: The High Holidays run from Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year, marked with shofar-blowing, festive meals, and symbolic foods like apples and honey) through the Ten Days of Repentance to Yom Kippur (a full-day fast focused on prayer and reflection). Families prepare by planning meals, arranging synagogue seats, and getting kids ready for long services and a different kind of holiday rhythm.

Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah opens the new year with a mix of solemnity and celebration. Central elements include:

Hearing the shofar (ram’s horn) blown in synagogue
Festive meals with round challah, apples dipped in honey, and other foods symbolizing a sweet new year
Tashlich, a custom of symbolically casting away the past year’s misdeeds, often at a body of water
Extended synagogue services, often longer than a typical Shabbat

Customs around table foods vary widely between Ashkenazi and Sephardic households — many Sephardic families have an extended simanim (symbolic foods) seder with items like dates, pomegranates, and leeks, each tied to a wish for the year ahead, while many Ashkenazi tables keep to apples, honey, and a round challah. Both are well-established traditions, just different ones.

The Ten Days of Repentance

The period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is traditionally seen as a time for reflection, repairing relationships, and charitable giving. Practically, many families use these days to reach out to people they haven’t spoken to in a while, or to look for ways to help others in the community. If you’re looking for a way to give back locally, Chessed lists ways to help neighbors, and it’s a natural place to turn during this season.

Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur is widely observed as the most solemn day of the Jewish year, centered on a full-day fast (no food or drink) and extended prayer services, often including Kol Nidrei the evening before, and Neilah, the closing service, at the day’s end. A few practical notes for families:

Fasting obligations and exceptions (health, age, pregnancy, and more) vary by individual circumstance — a rabbi or doctor should be consulted for anyone with a health concern
Many shuls run separate children’s programming and shorter youth services so kids can participate at their own level
Breaking the fast at the end of the day is often its own small family or community gathering

Getting Ready: Seats, Meals, and Guests

Between the two holidays, families often juggle synagogue seating (many shuls require tickets or reservations well in advance), multiple festive meals, and out-of-town guests. A few things worth doing early:

Confirm synagogue seats or tickets for the whole family
Plan and shop for Rosh Hashanah meals ahead of the holiday
Arrange a pre-fast meal and break-fast menu for Yom Kippur
If you’re hosting out-of-town family, plan sleeping arrangements early

If you’re relocating or need more space before the holidays arrive, Real Estate and Rentals can help you find a home in time to host comfortably. Many communities also host High Holiday programs, family services, and pre-fast community meals — check Jewish Events for what’s available near you, or use Community Explorer to find local synagogues and resources if you’re new to an area.

Helping Others During the Holidays

The High Holiday season is also a busy time for community support — meal deliveries for those who can’t cook, help getting to services, and covering costs for families stretched thin by the season’s expenses. If you or someone you know could use a hand, or if you’re able to pitch in, Chessed is built for exactly that. And if your family or business needs seasonal help — catering, babysitting during services, or event setup — Jobs is worth checking for local listings.

A Simple High Holiday Checklist

Confirm synagogue seats for the family
Plan Rosh Hashanah meals and symbolic foods
Reach out to mend any relationships during the Ten Days
Plan pre-fast and break-fast meals for Yom Kippur
Check childcare or youth programming for both holidays
Check Jewish Events for community programs

By the HeimishMart Community Desk — HeimishMart is the community marketplace for Jewish homes, jobs, and local life across North America.