During the morning Rosh Hashanah service on Sept. 29 Seth Galitzer blows the shofar, an instrument made of an an animal’s horn, while Sheldon Edelman looks onwards. The shofar calling is an important component of the Rosh Hashanah services because it represents the sound of proclaiming freedom. This year marked the passing on of the tradition of the shofar calling of the 43 years Edelman has attend Rosh Hashanah services in Manhattan, this was the first year Galitzer took the role of sounding the shofar.

Feasting plays a large role in the celebration of Rosh Hashanah. Mounds of decorative and lively foods blanketed the tables and plates of the people that came to celebrate. Lynn Poole and Margaret Sheriff chat together while Molly Galitzer eats, at the Galitzer’s home on the celebration of Rosh Hashanah. Some of the traditional foods include: smoked salmon, gefilte fish, and challah.