Literally the “Head of the Year,” Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. For two days every autumn, Jews the world over solemnly search their souls and earnestly pray to draw closer to their Creator. Synagogues are full to bursting with congregants, and often all seats are reserved far in advance. There are special machzorim, prayer books devoted entirely to the prayers and liturgical poems for this holiday. The centerpiece of the morning synagogue services is the ritual sounding of the shofar, each day totaling one hundred blasts of a ram’s horn according to age old tradition. Another Rosh Hashanah custom is beginning the evening meals with slices of round raisin challahs and fresh apples dipped in honey, to express everyone’s hope for a sweet year to come. Other emblematic foods carry with them the desire for Heavenly Favor and protection from enemies. On the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Jews gather at nearby bodies of water, to symbolically cast their sins into the waves. Many people purchase new clothing, shoes and jewelry for themselves and their children in honor of the New Year.