_: The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (hereinafter ‘the Commission’) is a constitutional institution established to strengthen constitutional democracy with specific reference to the rights of culture, religion and language.

The Commission wishes the South African Jewish community a blessed happy ‘Rosh Hashanah’ which is the Jewish new year scheduled to be celebrated on 17 and 18 September 2012. Rosh Hashanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar.

The Jewish New Year festival is a time of hope and joy marked by family dinners and visits to the synagogue. Apple and honey is eaten to signify hopes for sweet and fruitful news of the year. Bread baked in a circular shape is eaten to signify the continuity of life.

In Jewish liturgy, Rosh Hashanah is described as the Day of Judgment (Yom ha-Din) and remembrance (Yom ha-Zikkaron). Some midrashic descriptions depict God as sitting upon a throne, while books containing deeds of all humanity are opened for review, and each person passing in front of Him for evaluation of his or her deeds.

The CRL Rights Commission appeals to all peace-loving South African religious communities to embrace diversity, tolerance and join the International Jewish community in celebrating Rosh Hashana on 17 and 18 September 2012 during this heritage month.