Top Ways To Celebrate Rosh Hashanah In Denver

(credit: CBS)
At sundown on Sunday, Sept.13, Jewish families and congregations around the world will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah literally translates to "Head of the year," and this September, the 5776th Jewish year will begin. Throughout the Denver area, there will be a variety of services, meals and celebrations to attend. However, these top ways to celebrate Rosh Hashanah in Denver are your best bets for a sweet, healthy and happy new year!

Temple Emanuel
51 Grape St.
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 388-4013
www.emanueldenver.org

The oldest Jewish congregation in Colorado, Temple Emanuel was founded in 1874. Nestled in the Hilltop neighborhood, Temple Emanuel is a reform Jewish synagogue that has hosted annual High Holiday services for 141 years including Rosh Hashanah ones. Between Sunday, Sept. 13 (Erev Rosh Hashanah) and the holiday's end on Tuesday, Sept. 15, Temple Emanuel hosts services, workshops and youth classes. Reservations are required for certain Rosh Hashanah events at Temple Emanuel, so be sure to contact the synagogue to make arrangements.

Adventure Rabbi Rosh Hashanah Retreat
8748 Overland Road
Ward, CO 80481
(303) 417-6200
www.adventurerabbi.org

This isn't your Bubbe's Rosh Hashanah celebration. Spend the Jewish New Year at Glacier View Ranch. Attendees can stay overnight at Glacier View Ranch, or just visit for the day. Rather than being cooped up in a chapel, get out into the beautiful Rocky Mountains to observe Rosh Hashanah. Participants of all ages (two months to 102 years old) are invited to join Boulder's Adventure Rabbi on unique Rosh Hashanah retreat.

Congregation Nevei Kodesh
1400 Shoshoni Camp Road
Rollinsville, CO 80474
(303) 443-4567
www.neveikodesh.org

Nevei Kodesh in Boulder is hosting traditional Rosh Hashanah services on Erev Rosh Hashanah and the first day. However, for the second of Rosh Hashanah, head to Shoshoni Yoga Retreat Center in Rollinsville for Contemplative Rosh Hashanah in Nature. A mythical journey into the spiritual side of Rosh Hashanah, this daylong experience won't be like any other High Holiday service you've ever attended. Childcare is available on-site for parents.

Related: Top Exhibits For Kids In Denver

Round Challah Recipe (via Jerusalem-Insiders-Guide.com)

Throughout the year, Jewish people eat challah on the Sabbath. However, during Rosh Hashanah, instead of the straight, braided loaf, challahs are shaped into round loaves. This round shape symbolizes the circular nature of the year, as Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year. Additionally, a round challah is baked to stand out from the regular challah eaten year-round.

Ingredients:

• 1 C warm water
• 3 tsp sugar
• 1 envelope dry yeast
• 6 C flour
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 C canola oil
• 4 Tbs honey
• 3 tsp salt
• 1 C raisins
• 1 egg
• ¼ tsp salt

Directions:

1. Combine ½ cup warm water with 2 teaspoons of sugar. Sprinkle on yeast and let rest about 10 minutes, until foamy.
2. Place 5 ½ cups flour in a large bowl.
3. Make a well in the flour and add to it: ½ cup remaining water, remaining 1 teaspoon sugar, eggs, oil, honey and salt. Stir until well blended. - See more at: http://www.jerusalem-insiders-guide.com/challah-recipe.html#sthash.vCkebHGZ.dpuf
4. Gradually add ½ cup flour or more.
5. Turn onto floured surface and knead until dough is smooth and no longer sticky, adding small amounts of flour if necessary.
6. Grease large bowl. Turn dough in bowl to grease all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in volume (about 1 hour 15 minutes). Punch down dough, cover and rise again until doubled, about 1 hour.
7. Wash raisins and pat gently.
8. Line a baking sheet with parchment baking paper.
9. Cut dough into desired number of loaves – 2 large, 4 medium or 6 small challahs. Pat each ball of dough into a rectangle. Sprinkle raisins over the dough. Starting at one long side, roll the dough so you have one long stand of dough. Roll the strand back and forth with your hands to make the strand longer if necessary. Starting at one end, roll the strand into a spiral. Tuck one the outside end under the loaf. Place on baking sheet. Cover with damp towel and allow to rise 1 hour.
10. Pre-heat oven to 375℉.
11. Beat the egg with ¼ teaspoon salt. Brush the loaves with glaze.
12. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes, then lower heat to 350. Bake another 25 minutes for large loaves, 15-20 minutes for medium, and 10-15 minutes for small loaves, until the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
13. Cool on a rack.

Gefilte Fish (via Chabad.org)

An Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine, gefilte fish is Yiddish for "stuffed fish." A culinary tradition dating back centuries, gefilte fish is customarily served on during the Sabbath, but also during important Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Passover. Be warned, gefilte fish is not a dish for picky eaters. This combination of fish and onions is an acquired taste.

Fish Ingredients

• 5 lbs. ground fish (mixture of pike and whitefish)
• 2 medium onions, peeled and ground
• 2 tbsp. kosher salt
• 5 eggs
• 3 tbsp. water
• 1½ cups sugar

 

Stock Ingredients

• 16 cups water
• 4 tsp. kosher salt
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 onions, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

Directions:

1. Put the stock ingredients into a strong pot and bring to a boil.
2. Mix the fish ingredients together. Roll into balls.
3. When the stock comes to a rolling boil, drop the balls into it gently.
4. When all the balls are in the pot, turn down to a simmer. Simmer for 1 hour.
5. Remove the fish balls and the carrots from the liquid. Refrigerate, or freeze for later use. Discard the liquid. Fish lasts about 3 days in the fridge.

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A Denver native, Alli Andress has been a writer for over a decade. Over the course of her career, Andress has written about topics ranging from indie music, animals, health issues and the best of the Mile High City. Her work can be found on Examiner.com