Southfield, USA - Some remembered the reflective evening services at synagogues. Others repeated a special blessing of wine. Nearly all recalled dipping apples into honey.
Their ages and interests span several generations, but the Akiva Hebrew Day School students and seniors at the Dorothy & Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Care Program shared a common bond when they met Wednesday for an exchange: recalling Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year.
"It means different things to different people, but they all remembered it was a special time for them," said Naomi Craft, 14, a freshman from West Bloomfield Township who was part of the program. "It was nice to tell other people my other experience ... It shows a whole different side you never thought of."
The event was among many throughout Metro Detroit marking the start of Rosh Hashana, which begins at sundown today and launches 10 of the holiest days in the Hebrew calendar. The Days of Awe, during which followers reflect and ask for forgiveness for sins, conclude with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
Rosh Hashana is celebrated with special family meals and services at temples and synagogues.
Because the sacred day commemorates the Jews' belief of the creation of the world and launches an intense period of repentance and contemplation, its associated traditions are similarly meditative.
Worshippers recite prayers offering thanks for new occasions and opportunities. On the second day, for Tashlikh, some will walk to a source of flowing water and throw in bread crumbs, symbolizing the casting off of sins.
And blowing on a shofar, or ram's horn, can signify both celebration and a way to "awaken our souls to repent," said Rabbi Joseph Krakoff of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield.
The time is "extremely reflective," he said. "It's part of a larger period when we're looking inside of our souls and seeing how we can become better people in the year to come ... going to friends and family, asking for forgiveness, getting back to the essence of who God intends us to be."
That's why Ben Greene, 14, of Oak Park, also a freshman at Akiva, enjoyed joining the seniors at the Brown center to sing songs in Hebrew and share stories about the holiday.
Besides spending time with relatives and attending services at Young Israel of Oak Park, the teen said he plans to use Rosh Hashana as a "goal-setting" period.
"I'll try to become a better person this coming year -- be nicer to people, get better grades, set goals for myself," he said. "The whole holiday gives you the idea ... to be as good as you can be."
Sharon Berry of Farmington Hills looks forward to eating a specially prepared version of challah, or egg bread, including raisins.
"It's made sweeter, for a sweet new year," she said.