September 27, 2013 (Hickory, NC) ─ Hickory Village Memory Care celebrated Rosh Hashanah, by comparing and contrasting the differences between the American and Jewish New Year’s traditions and creating an apple plate craft. Rosh Hashanah literally means “Head of the Year” and it is one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar.

“While it’s of a time for parties, midnight kisses and resolutions in America, the Jewish holiday is about introspection, looking back at last year’s mistakes and planning for positive changes in the year to come,” said Hickory Village Activities Director Anna Wilson.

Just as Americans serve their own traditional foods for the holiday, residents learned about the symbolism of food pertaining to the holidays in both cultures. In American, black-eyed peas symbolize money, fish is to encourage an abundance of blessings and pork because pigs root forward, according to Wilson. Jewish foods served on Rosh Hashanah include apples dipped in honey as a symbol of a wish for a sweet new year and pomegranates because the numerous seeds represent prosperity.

Pictured above with their handcrafted apple plates are Hickory Village residents Martha Bridges and Margie Sain.

For more information about Hickory Village, please contact Administrator Susan Blizzard at (828) 322-2230.