L'Shana Tovah!!

Rosh Hashana in the land down under is amazingly similar to Rosh Hashana anywhere else in the world. It was great to celebrate here in a similar way as we do at home.

First night, I had 13 of my friends here for dinner. We crammed around the dining room table and used the couches and coffee tables to fit everyone in the apartment, and it worked out beautifully. Apples and honey, pomegranates, challah, chicken, salad, dessert.... everyone helped out and we had an amazing night. I went to shul for the first day at the Coogee Synogague that I've mentioned before. The place was crowded and really really loud! I'm not used to things like assigned seating and quite that much talking - it was a little frustrating, but an experience nonetheless. And everyone loves to hear shofar :) For Tashlich, a few of us went out to our favorite cliffs over the ocean and Jamie brought the Tashlich service from her shul back home. It was a really beautiful setting and a great way to cast off our sins from last year and move onto the next.



Second night, I went with my friend Abby to her mom's cousin's house in North Sydney for dinner. There were about 13 of us again and Abby's cousin cooked a delicious traditional dinner. I spent the night there with Abby and in the morning went to shul with her cousins. Abby has a cousin our age and we sat with his girlfriend in the more informal hall (the synagogue is massive, there were two services going on at once). It is a mostly South African community and they had so much energy! It reminded me of a very large, young version of home. We had lunch with the cousins and then headed back to Coogee for the night.

Rosh Hashana is a time to think about the past year, all of the opportunities you've had, the good things, the tough things... it's been a really phenomenal year, and I can't believe that I'm lucky enough to begin the next year on the beaches of Australia. There are so many things to do, so many things to see, and time is so limited. I wish you all a happy, healthy, sweet New Year full of new adventures, wonderful friends and taking advantage of all life has to offer.

L'shana tovah u'metukah!
Rach