Beginning at sundown tonight, Jews around the world will commemorate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Work is not allowed on this high holiday.

Scripture in the Torah called for observance of this day:

On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets. – Numbers 29:1

Jews also believe that God renders a judgment on Rosh Hashanah, looking out their good and bad deeds from the last year and determining their fate over the course of the coming year. That fate is then sealed on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

In other words, Jews get a chance between the two holidays to right their wrongs. Then on Yom Kippur, it’s time to repent for sins and commit to doing right from now on.

Did you say New Year?

Yes. The Jewish calendar is different from the typical Gregorian calendar. It is based on the lunar cycle with months like Nissan, Iyar, Sivan, and so on. Learn more about the Jewish calendar online.

When is Yom Kippur?
Typically, Yom Kippur falls 10 days after Rosh Hashanah. This year, Jews will observe Yom Kippur on October 9.

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Two Jewish congregations are publishing new editions of their prayer books that keep gay and lesbian Jews in mind.

The congregations (Beth Simchat Torah in New York and Sha’ar Zahav in San Francisco) modified the traditional liturgy for the worship service, along with prayers for life moments.

More on the changes…

Of the changes to the Sha’ar Zahav prayer book (or siddur) are changes to make things less male heterosexual. JTA.org gives this example: Instead of God rejoicing with a bride and groom, God rejoices with two people in love. Their new siddur also includes prayers for life moments including a first kiss, coming out, gender transitions, and even anonymous sex (or “unexpected intimacy” as it is called).

Why the changes?

Prayer books have already been changed in several congregations to take women into account. Now some congregations are seeking to take other forms of diversity into account.

According to the straight editors, the books “were created to appeal to a range of contemporary Jewish experiences that traditional prayers have overlooked.”

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Views about Jews and Muslims are unfavorable in Europe, according to a recent survey from the Pew Research Center’s Pew Global Attitudes Project.

 The results showed that:

-46% of the Spanish rate Jews unfavorably, and 52% viewed Muslims unfavorably.

-34% of Russians rate Jews unfavorably.

-36% of Poles rate Jews unfavorably, and 46% rate Muslims unfavorably.

-25% of Germans rate Jews unfavorably, and 50% rate Muslims unfavorably.

-20% of French rate Jews unfavorably, and 38% rate Muslims unfavorably.

-9% of the British rate Jews unfavorably (Great Britain had the least anti-Semitic views), and 25% view Muslims unfavorably.

Researchers thus concluded there is some kind of relationship between anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim attitudes.

What about Christians?

Anti-Christian views are on the rise in Spain, but otherwise sentiments remain the same with little negativity toward Christians.

The survey also displays differences in religiosity among age groups as well as feelings toward terrorist activities. See the full survey results on the Pew Forum site. 

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This. Is. Fascinating.

In this video, a Christian church in Indonesia is providing meals for Muslims observing Ramadan. 

Watch and decide: Real bridge building? Thoughtful? Corny? Wrong? Unnecessary? 

Learn more about Ramadan in this post on Religion Transcends.

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