Jewish New Year to be joyfully celebrated in Cranberry Twp.
The latter part of this week is very important to those of the Jewish community worldwide, and that includes Cranberry Township, where Rosh Hashana will be celebrated by a growing group.
Rabbi Yossi Feller, who is the co-director of Chabad of Cranberry with his wife, Leah, said Rosh Hashana will begin at sunset on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and conclude after nightfall on Friday.
Feller explained that the two-day holiday commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in Yom Kippur.
During the Rosh Hashana services, Feller will blow the Shofar, which is a ram’s horn that sounds like a trumpet.
The blowing of the Shofar, Feller said, is a call to repent for misdeeds and return to righteousness as Jews look back over the past year and resolve to improve during the coming year.
Those who practice the Jewish faith also eat a piece of apple dipped in honey to symbolize the desire to have a sweet year.
Jews also prepare and eat challah bread, which is a round roll or large round loaf of the special bread, symbolizing the cycle of years going by and the cycle of life, Feller said.
Because Rosh Hashana also represents a day of judgment from God, services include prayers for the well-being of all humanity.
“We pray for peace and prosperity and harmony among all people,” Feller said.
He said morning and evening services for the Jewish in Cranberry will be followed by a Kiddush, or light meal.
Feller is not disclosing the location of the services for security reasons in light of antisemitic rhetoric and actions in the past several years.
He said Monday, Oct. 7, marks the anniversary of the Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
“Over the past year, since Oct. 7, the hatred and antisemitism that our country has experienced has only strengthened our resolve to live proudly as Jews,” Feller said. “They want us to be afraid, but our response will be to increase in light and Jewish pride.”
He said those of the Jewish faith are called to live a moral, just and godly life as outlined in the Seven Noahide Laws, which are: to acknowledge God and not worship idols, to not murder or commit adultery, to not abuse animals, to not blaspheme or steal, and to respect the rule of law.
“Any non-Jew who follows these guidelines is rewarded in the world to come,” Feller said. “You don’t have to be Jewish to be a good person and to fulfill your mission in this world.”
He said the Seven Laws are a code for all of humanity.
“That’s what God wants of all human beings,” Feller said. “Whenever everyone starts fulfilling these laws, the world will be better and brighter place.”
He said he has not experienced antisemitism in Cranberry Township, which he called a very welcoming and loving community.
“We really appreciate the elected officials in Cranberry,” Feller said. “The board of supervisors has joined in the menorah lighting. The people of Cranberry are very helpful and welcoming, too.”
He said the Jewish community in Cranberry Township is growing, and they all hope Chabad of Cranberry results in a permanent temple where they can worship.
As for now, Feller is available for all Jewish needs, such as Jewish education; births, funerals and weddings; bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah ceremonies; and any other needs a Jewish person in the Cranberry area might have.
He looks forward to Rosh Hashana in Cranberry Township, and welcomes any Jewish people in and around the township to contact him at rabbi@jewishcranberry.com or call him at 612-275-6438.
“This year, we’re expecting a larger than usual attendance,” Feller said. “With all the talk of antisemitism in the press, folks in our community are telling me that they are planning to attend synagogue services to take action and demonstrate that the Jewish people are resolute and strong; and to pray for a good year ahead.”
