Celebrate the (Jewish) New Year with a Dose of Well-Designed Judaica

By Marni Elyse Katz
September 28, 2011

Rosh Hashana

round challah and apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah (both via Flickr)

Rosh Hashanah, otherwise known as the Jewish New Year, begins tonight at sundown. As the anniversary of the creation of Adam of Eve, it is the anniversary of man’s first sin, and marks the first of ten days of repentance, which concludes on Yom Kippur. During Rosh Hashanah, Jews greet each other with the saying, “L’shana tova,” (“for a good year”)

On the eve of the Jewish holiday, there is a festive meal, which includes the tradition of dipping apples in honey for a sweet new year. You may also find a pomegranate on the holiday table, its many seeds symbolizing abundance for the coming year. Round challah bread is served, rather than the more typical rectangular loaves, to represent the cycle of the year. Honey cake makes a showing for dessert, for more sweetness.

Observant Jews spend Rosh Hashanah in synagogue, where the shofar (ram’s horn) is sounded 100 times over the course of the services. In the afternoon, some may visit a body of water (preferably one with fish) with breadcrumbs. The crumbs (or pebbles) are cast into the water along with one’s sins, allowing one to start the new year with a clean slate.

In the weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah, shoppers have been gearing up to set beautiful holiday tables: on eBay, listings for items with the term "Rosh Hashanah" have doubled in the past 30 days compared to the prior period, and sales are up 75 percent. Granted, it's now too late to shop for this year, but most of these items can be used year-round for celebratory feasts or just a regular Shabbat meal.

eBay is replete with the accoutrements for a festive and observant holiday table.

12 Rosh Hashanah Greeting Cards

(buy it now price, $24)

These Jewish New Year’s cards, printed on acid free, white linen paper, are actually signed works of art by Israeli artist Amit Yaffe.
Rosh Hashanah Honey Set

(buy it now price, $28)

The grocery store bought plastic honey bear is cute, but on holidays, we prefer pieces that are a tad more formal, like this adorable bee-embellished bowl and floral plate.
Rosh Hashanah Yad Mordehai Kosher Honey

(buy it now price, $18)

Kosher honey from a kibbutz whose founders learned how to make honey from Australian soldiers that were stationed in Israel in 1936.
New Polished Ram's Horn Shofar

(buy it now price, $42.99)

Blowing a shofar is more challenging than you’d think. Start practicing with this authentic ram’s horn specimen, not a synthetic reproduction.
Vintage 1950s Silver Plated Kiddush Cup

(buy it now price, $55)

No family heirloom? Go vintage. This goblet is hand-engraved with scrolled ornaments and inscribed with the Hebrew for “creator of the grapevine fruit,” the Shabbat blessing of the wine.
Rogov's Guide to Kosher Wines: The World's 500 Best Kosher Wines

(buy it now price, $19)

These are not your parents Manischewitz. Daniel Rogov, Israel's leading wine critic, wrote this authoritative guide to kosher wine from around the world.
Danish Modern Ystad Brass Candle Sticks

(buy it now price, $99.99)

Holiday meals are always accompanied by candle lighting, just as on Shabbat. Swap the traditional silver candlesticks for a more mod pair.
Beeswax Taper Candles

(buy it now price, $15.75)

These candles are hand-poured with real beeswax and emit the naturally sweet scent of honey. When lit, they are smoke-free.
Silver Challah Knife

(buy it now price, $89)

The handle of this bread knife is made of solid sterling silver and set with a stainless steel (Sheffield England) blade. It’s inscribed on both sides with the Hebrew saying "For Holy Shabbat.”
How the Rosh Hashanah Challah Became Round

(buy it now price, $7.84)

A children’s storybook that tells a cute story about why Jews eat round challah on Rosh Hashanah.
Silk Challah Cover

(buy it now price, $37.50)

Challah covers are usually decorated with symbols of wine, bread, or candles. This one features a golden wheat design and is by Jerusalem artist Yair Emanuel.
12-Inch Round Teak Cutting Board

(buy it now price, $22.50)

This round teak cutting board by Proteak is perfect for the round Rosh Hashanah challah, and will look great on the table, too.
Jerusalem Embroidered Kippah

(buy it now price, $13)

A new kippah for a new year. This raw cotton topper is embroidered in silk with a Yair Emanuel cityscape design.