As a Catholic, faith and family have always been at the heart of my life. When I married into a Jewish family, I discovered new traditions, holidays and rituals that deepened my understanding of faith. One of the most meaningful holidays I’ve learned to embrace (and now host) is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the High Holidays and is a time for reflection, prayer, and renewal. Celebrated in the fall, it typically lands in September or October, moving each year according to the Hebrew calendar. Even though I come from a different religious upbringing, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of Rosh Hashanah and the hopeful start of a new year. It aligns beautifully with Christian values of forgiveness, new beginnings, and the importance of community.

Hosting a religious holiday from a different faith requires intentionality, respect and desire to honor the customs and values of that tradition. Perhaps most importantly, it requires cooking dishes that are beloved by your husband (and which he will always compare to, “how mom made it”). This is a unique opportunity to embrace and honor the traditions of my Jewish friends and family (and their palates).

My husband and I have been together nearly 10 years now so I have had a lot of time to learn about symbolic foods, prayers and rituals that are key to the celebration.

Preparing to Host

Menu Planning

I prepare the meal incorporating meaningful and traditional dishes while sometimes updating (upgrading) and creating my own take. Two highly symbolic items I always incorporate are apples dipped in honey (symbolizing a sweet New Year), and round challah (representing the cycle of the year). The other dishes that I typically cook are matzo ball soup, brisket, and roasted potatoes, which have all become family favorites.

The Table

The look and feel of the table setting as we welcome our dearest friends and family to the celebration is a detail not to be overlooked. This last fall, I incorporate vibrant pomegranates, tea lights and lush greenery as the centerpieces of each table. The deep red of the pomegranates, symbolizing prosperity and abundance, can be used as striking centerpieces or scattered decoratively among natural foliage. I used earth tone table linens to provide a neutral backdrop, allowing the vivid colors of the fruits to pop. Sprigs of rosemary and eucalyptus brought a fresh aroma, adding to the warm and inviting space for reflection, gratitude, and celebration of the new year. Each table had a plate with apples and honey ready to go and each place setting included a name plate that was made with a honey dipper. With thoughtful design and a little extra effort, the tablescape can enhance the meal and foster a sense of togetherness as you welcome the New Year.

Interfaith Family Dynamics

One of the joys of our interfaith family is celebrating holidays from both traditions. As a Catholic, hosting Rosh Hashanah has become an opportunity for me to honor my husband’s faith while sharing in the warmth and meaning of the holiday with our children. We talk about how our religious traditions overlap in values - love, compassion, and forgiveness - and how these teachings shape or lives.

Rosh Hashanah is also a chance to reflect on how we can bring the best of our Catholic and Jewish traditions into our home, raising our children to appreciate the richness of both heritages and carry our pasts forward into future generations to come.

A Celebration of Unity for all

As we dip apples in honey and wish each other “Shanah Tovah” (a good year), I am grateful for the beauty that comes from blending our spiritual journeys. Further, I’m appreciative of the opportunity that our hosting provides to meaningfully connect our friends and family (also from different faiths/backgrounds). As individuals in attendance each have a chance to share what they’re uniquely grateful for with a community they know (and don’t know), they are further bonded with one another. That’s ultimately what the hosting of holiday celebrations is all about - curating an opportunity to build connection, enjoy loved ones, and renew spirits.

This annual gathering that I’m deeply appreciative to host not only highlights the importance and value of community, but also serves as an important reminder that respect and openness can bridge diverse backgrounds, bringing folks together.