Religion Roundup
Israelis Celebrating Jewish New Year
Associated Press
September 30, 2008
JERUSALEM - Israelis have ushered in the Jewish New Year with festive family dinners.
Rosh Hashana, which began Monday at sundown, ushers in 10 days of soul-searching capped by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. But the New Year holiday itself is a time for festive meals, which traditionally include an apple dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year.
Israel closed off the West Bank until late Wednesday, barring Palestinians from entering Israel to deter possible attacks by Palestinian militants.
Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics has released its annual population figures to mark the New Year. It says that of Israel's more than seven million people, 75 percent are Jews, 20 percent are Arabs, and the remainder belong to other groups.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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