The season of fresh starts and honest reflection is here. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, calls us to gather, share sweetness, and make tradition our own in ways that feel real for today.
At HMI, we know Jewish life isn’t only about ancient texts. It’s alive in our kitchens, dining rooms, and even our group chats! This year, we’re leaning into creativity and building Rosh Hashanah tables that reflect the beauty and diversity of our community.
Beyond Apples and Honey
You may know the classics: apples with honey, round challah, maybe a pomegranate. But Jewish tables around the world are filled with so much more. In many Mizrahi and Sephardi communities, you’ll find dishes made with beets, black-eyed peas, leeks, and dates, each symbolizing hopes for the year ahead.
Why not try creating your own Rosh Hashanah “seder plate” this year? A few ideas to start:
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Dates for peace and sweetness
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Leeks to cut off negativity
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Beets for resilience and strength
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Quince jam or fig cake to honor Persian and North African flavors
Make It Yours
We believe there’s no single “right way” to celebrate the Jewish holidays. Maybe you’re lighting candles with a toddler, cooking for an interfaith dinner, or joining a friend’s potluck, the beauty is in making it yours!
A few ideas to spark inspiration:
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Write letters to your future self as a ritual of reflection
- Gather your HMI family and go apple picking
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Add symbolic ingredients into modern recipes (pomegranate-glazed tofu, anyone?)
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Invite guests to share a hope for the year ahead, big or small
The Jewish calendar gives us the gift of beginning again. Sometimes that new beginning starts at your very own table.
Bring Your Table to Life
Thinking of hosting? Our Rosh Hashanah Meal Hosting Guide can give you confidence with the basics—and from there, you get to shape it in your own way. And be sure to apply for an HMI Alumni Micro Grant to help offset the cost of your gathering!
Whether it’s a backyard dinner, a rooftop gathering, or a quiet solo ritual, tag us @honeymoonisrael to share your reimagined Rosh Hashanah table.
Wishing you a sweet, grounded, and joy-filled start to 5786.
