DECATUR - The members of the Jewish community who gathered Monday night at the Temple B'nai Abraham to celebrate the Jewish New Year and 10-day period of Rosh Hashana prayed for a good and prosperous year.

One of the holiest events on the Jewish calendar started at sundown with the traditional blowing of the ram's horn to mark the New Year. Rosh Hashana continues through Oct. 8, followed by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Jews forego food and drink during the 24-hour fast for Yom Kippur.

"This is a time when Jews assess their behavior; a time of self-examination," said Annette Cavanaugh with the local synagogue.

Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh from St. Louis, Mo. said the Jewish New Year is part of the act of "teshuva" that means to reconcile with God and the community.

"In Judaism, being part of the community is important," Hersh, who also presides over the Decatur synagogue, said. "We are a communal people. We cannot ask forgiveness of our friends and neighbors if we're not part of the community."

One of the rituals celebrated Monday during Rosh Hashana was dipping apples in honey and listening to the sound of the shofar (ram's horn).

"The horn is like an alarm clock that awakens the soul," Hersh said.

She also said the world in present times needs prayer, and "we have to reflect on how to do better."

Many Jews around the world have been preparing for the Jewish New Year. Israelis knelt along the Western Wall reciting prayers of repentance. The borders along the West Bank and Gaza Strip also were closed in observance of the holiday.

An estimated six million Jews live in the United States, including the 278,810 living in Illinois, based on the American Israeli's Central Bureau of Statistics data from the published survey "American Jewish Population in the United States 2006."

COMING EVENTS

Upcoming events at Temple B'nai Abraham, 1326 W. Eldorado St., include:

- Oct. 8: Day of Atonement, dinner at 6:30 p.m., service at 8 p.m.

- Oct. 9: Day of Atonement services at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

- Oct. 13: Sukkot Festival, dinner at 6 p.m., service at 7:45 p.m.

For information, call 429-5740.

sheilas@herald-review.com/421-7963