The beginning of New Year 5770 of the Hebrew calendar will be heralded next weekend as Jewish congregations gather to begin their observance of the High Holy Days.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, will be celebrated next Saturday with communal services and meals. But unlike the secular New Year, it is not a time of festive excess.

Observant Jews spend the 10-day period reflecting on their relationships with God and other people. The High Holy Days conclude with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when people seek forgiveness from God for their sins and request forgiveness from friends and acquaintances for wrongs and misunderstandings between them.

The casting away of sins is symbolized in the “;tashlich”; ritual, in which people gather at the seashore to cast bread or stones into the water.

The shofar, or ram's horn, is blown at Rosh Hashanah to proclaim the sovereignty of God, fulfilling a command in the book of Leviticus.

Events planned in the Jewish community include:

Chabad of Hawaii, an Orthodox organization, will hold services at its synagogue on the lobby floor of the Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinston Drive. Call 735-8161 for reservations for dinner after the evening services. The cost for visitors is $60 adults, $40 children. Kamaaina tickets are $35 adults, $20 children.
» Friday, 6 p.m. Rosh Hashanah eve
» Next Saturday, 10 a.m. morning Shabbat; 11 a.m. children's service; 12:30 p.m. Kiddush lunch; 7 p.m. evening service
» Sept. 20, 10 a.m. morning service; 11 a.m. children's service; 12:30 p.m. Kiddush lunch, followed by a family tashlich at Ala Moana Park
» Sept. 27. Yom Kippur observance begins at 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre service
» Sept. 28. 10 a.m. morning service; 11:30 a.m. children's service; 11:30 a.m. Yizkor; 5:15 p.m. Neilah; 7:15 p.m. break-the-fast meal

Congregation Sof Ma'arav, a Conservative community, meets at 2500 Pali Highway. Child care is provided during services. For information call Donald Armstrong, 263-1130.
» Friday, 8 p.m. evening service
» Next Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., first day of Rosh Hashanah
» Sept. 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., second-day service
» Sept. 26, 10 a.m. Shabbat Shuvah
» Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre
» Sept. 28, Yom Kippur services 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 to 7 p.m.; break-the-fast potluck supper follows

Temple Emanu-El, 2550 Pali Highway, is a Reform congregation. Child care is available during services.
» Friday, 7:30 p.m.
» Next Saturday, 9:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah service; 2 p.m. children's service; 4 p.m. tashlich at Magic Island
» Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Shuvah service
» Sept. 27, 6 p.m. Erev Yom Kippur, Kol Nidre
» Sept. 28, Yom Kippur services at 9:30 a.m.; 2 p.m. children's service; 3 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah; 7 p.m. break-the-fast meal