c. 1997 Religion News Service

(Dale Hanson Bourke is the author of”Turn Toward the Wind”and publisher of RNS.)

UNDATED _ It was just the third day of the school year and I faced my first crisis as a room mother. Someone had inadvertently scheduled the 4th-grade parent’s party on the second night of Rosh Hashanah.

The Jewish families in the class were surprised and upset. The gentile families didn’t understand what the fuss was all about. Rescheduling presented logistical nightmares.

Should I insist on rescheduling the party, knowing the only other date available would cause another conflict for some families? Or should I leave the party as scheduled, hoping the Jewish families would understand the mistake, assuring them we would be more careful next year?

As I tried to settle what seems like a small problem, I encountered a deeper issue: Gentiles know little about Jewish holidays and are confused about their significance. So in an effort to correct some misconceptions, I offer actual questions posed during my many conversations on the subject, along with answers from a variety of Jewish friends and authorities.

Is Rosh Hashanah really a big deal?

Yes, it is considered a”high holy day”and is one of the most significant Jewish holidays. It commemorates the creation of the world, and begins a 10 day period of reflection. During this time, it is believed God reviews the deeds of humankind during the past year and passes judgment. But most Jews use it as a time to review their own behavior and to consider where they have fallen short of their aspirations.

Isn’t Rosh Hashanah only celebrated by very religious Jews?

Most Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah, even if they don’t regularly attend synagogue services or observe other holidays. For Orthodox, Conservative and Reconstructionist Jews, the holiday is observed for two days. Most Reform Jews celebrate only one day, from sundown to sundown.

How do Jews observe Rosh Hashanah?

Most Jews abstain from conducting business and, therefore, do not go to their workplaces. Most Jewish children are out of school during Rosh Hashanah, and some public schools are closed at least for the first day.

Most Jews attend a synagogue service during the day and traditionally observe a dinner with family and close friends.

Does Yom Kippur have something to do with Rosh Hashanah?

Yes, it marks the end of the ten day period of reflection and is a day of prayer and fasting. Yom Kippur means”day of atonement”and is when a Jew prays for grace from God in light of his transgressions. Jews who are older than 13 are supposed to observe the fast.

Why do Jewish holidays always fall on different days of the year?

Jewish holidays are observed according to a lunar-based calendar. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur usually fall between mid-September and mid-October.

But I thought Hanukkah was the biggest Jewish holiday …

Hanukkah is a celebration of religious freedom and has been elevated in status mostly because of its proximity to Christmas and all of the festivities that go along with the Holiday Season. Hanukkah is observed for eight days, and Jews do not need to abstain from work during that time although many take a holiday to spend time with their family.

What do I say to Jewish friends during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?”Happy New Year”_ or”Shana tovah”in Hebrew _ is the traditional greeting for either day or during the entire period.”Have an easy fast”is sometimes offered before Yom Kippur begins.

What if I forget and invite friends to something on one of these holidays?

They will probably say they have other plans, but when you realize the conflict, simply apologize for forgetting the dates and be sure to mark them on your calendar for next year. In 1998, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sept. 20 and Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sept. 29.

In the end, we decided to reschedule the party for another evening. And I have sent the school a 1998 calendar with the religious holidays highlighted.

With my first crisis as a room mother over, I now await the first snow day and the dreaded phone chain breakdown.

MJP END BOURKE