Jews in Fountain Hills will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, beginning at sunset Wednesday, Oct. 2, and concluding after nightfall Friday, Oct. 4.

Literally meaning “head of the year,” 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 the Yom Kippur holiday, according to a press release.

The shofar is the central symbol of Rosh Hashanah and synagogues blast the shofar every day for a month leading up to the holiday, culminating with a sequence of 100 blasts during the Rosh Hashanah services.

The blowing of the shofar, a central observance of the holiday, will take place Thursday, Oct. 3, at 11:30 a.m. and Friday, Oct. 4 at 11:30 a.m.

Other highlights include services with songs and crowd participation, sermons and a community meal with all the traditional holiday staples including apples dipped in honey and other sweet foods.

Celebrations of the holiday at the Chabad Edelman Jewish Center in Fountain Hills will be a time of prayer for a good year ahead for all of humanity, while pushing back against the rise of antisemitism the world has experienced this past year, the release added.

“This year, we’re expecting a larger than usual attendance,” said Rabbi Mendy Lipskier, director of the Chabad of Fountain Hills. “With all the talk of antisemitism in the press, folks in our community are telling me that they are planning to attend High Holiday services to take action and demonstrate that the Jewish people are resolute and strong; and to pray for a good year ahead.”

Chabad of Fountain Hills offers High Holiday services free of charge with no membership or affiliation required, welcoming the Fountain Hills’ Jewish community.

A complete schedule of Rosh Hashanah events is available at JewishFountainHills.com.

For more information, contact the office at Chabad of Fountain Hills 480-795-6292 or visit JewishFountainHills.com.