RNS ROSH HASHANA

Judy Bolton-Fasman immerses herself in the mikvah, or ritual bath, at Mayyim Hayyim (Living Waters) in Newton, Mass. Increasing numbers of Jews are using the mikvah to mark the start of the new year and symbolically wash away the burdens of the past. Religion News Service photo by Faith Ninivaggi

(RNS5-SEP05) Judy Bolton-Fasman immerses herself in the mikvah, or ritual bath, at Mayyim Hayyim (Living Waters) in Newton, Mass. Increasing numbers of Jews are using the mikvah to mark the start of the new year and symbolically wash away the burdens of the past. For use with RNS-ROSH-HASHANA, transmitted Sept. 5, 2007. Religion News Service photo by Faith Ninivaggi.