Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish New Year and the start of the High Holy Days. Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, (this year on Sept. 25-26) marks the culmination of the High Holy Days.

This year's Rosh Hashanah celebration began Sunday night and ends Tuesday at sundown.

Mayor Vincent Gray recognized the High Holy Days with remarks released Friday:

“I would like to offer my fondest greetings to the District’s Jewish community as the High Holy Days begin. The period that begins with Rosh Hashanah and culminates with Yom Kippur is a time to reflect on the Jewish principle of tikkun olam – repairing the world through acts of service, justice and kindness – and to resolve to lead our lives anew with a focus on doing justice and loving kindness.

The Jewish community has, for well over a century and a half, been an integral part of the District of Columbia and the United States, and I am personally thankful for the innumerable contributions of Jewish people to our communal cultural, civic and social life."

Rosh Hashanah, which literally means “head of the year,” signals the beginning of the High Holy Days. Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, (this year on Sept. 25-26) marks the end, and together they are two of the holiest days for Jews.

Like most New Year celebrations, Rosh Hashanah is a time of introspection and a time to bring about changes in the coming year. The traditional blowing of the shofar, or ram’s horn, during services on Rosh Hashanah marks a time to contemplate past mistakes and find ways to make things right.

On this day, as on Sabbath, Jews avoid work and spend the day with family. And where there’s a family gathering, can food be far behind? It’s no surprise that after services Jewish families tuck into an elaborate spread of traditional dishes.

The day begins with eating apples dipped in honey, in hopes that the new year will also be sweet. Another tradition is to bake challah, a round-shaped bread that is a symbol of the circle of life.

Patch has come up with some great recipes that will make your Rosh Hoshanah meal extra special this year.

Newton Patch contributor Wendy Schapiro shared her family recipe for a mouth-watering, traditional meal complete with a side dish and dessert, and an entrée and vegetable.

Want to try something new this year? Take a look at this recipe for Cornish game hens with sweet honey and cherries, which Susan Silverberg shared on Culver City Patch.

In the mood for some baking and indulging that sweet tooth at the same time? Try this recipe for apple challah from West Bloomfield Patch.

Here’s wishing you L’shanah Tovah--the traditional Happy New Year greeting-- and B'tayavon (that’s Hebrew for bon appetit)!