This year, Rosh Hashanah will be observed from sunset on Sept. 29 until sunset on Oct. 1. This year, the Jewish religious calendar year is 5769.

Roshanah is one of the holiest days of the Jewish religious year and there is little similarity between this holy day and secular Dec. 31 New Year’s celebrations.

One important similarity, however, between Jewish New Year and the Dec. 31-Jan. 1 observance is that many use the New Year as an opportunity to plan a better life and make resolutions. The Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection by looking at one’s life and changes that one can make to improve one’s spiritual life in the new year.

On Rosh Hashannah, no work is permitted because much of the day is to be spent in prayer and at the synagogue, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. There is a specific prayerbook used, called the Machzor, which is used for Rosh Hashanah as well as Yom Kippur services.

On Yom Kippur, the Jewish custom is to refrain from work, to fast, and, as on Rosh Hashanah, to attend synagogue services. The meaning of Yom Kippur is the "Day of Atonement," set aside to atone for sins of the past year.

Yom Kippur is a sabbath day, meaning that no work is allowed on this day and all are to refrain from eating and/or drinking for 25 hours, a fast that will begin before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and end after sunset on the day of Yom Kippur itself.

Some restrictions on fasting can be lifted due to a person’s health reasons, while children under age 9 and women expecting a child are not permitted to fast even if they wish to do so.

Most of this holiday is spent in the synagogue, beginning as early as 8 or 9 a.m. Prayer will continue until about 3 p.m., and after taking a rest at home, services will resume at 5 or 6 p.m. and continue until sunset.

The customary attire to be worn during this time is white, which symbolizes purity and calls to mind the promise that, after atonement, sins will be made as white as snow.

This year, Yom Kippur will be observed from sunset on Oct. 8 to sunset on Oct. 9.