“Rosh Hashanah isn’t just about being new, it’s about a change.”

Max Levis

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, starts this Friday night. It’s a time to make a fresh start so take a moment and exhale this crazy past year and inhale the new – which is full of potential!
Recall your purpose and inner truth and see where and if you need to make a CHANGE or perhaps try something NEW.

It’s a Jewish tradition to start the new year with a new food (usually fruit) that you’ve never tried before, or at least not in a long time. I like to start the new year with a new recipe! Even if you don’t celebrate Rosh Hashana, now is a great time to try something new.  If you are vegetarian, vegan or just want healthier options and alternatives I have some great ones for you! Everything here is vegan and most are gluten free as well.

We’ve been doing NEW things all week to get ready for the new year.

• In Abby’s Homeschool we made ceramic apple dishes and bee napkin rings to adorn our holiday table. (see photos!)
• For the first time, I’m going to add cards (for each of us to fill out) to each place setting to set our intentions for the new year – hopefully a new tradition.
• I’m making an apple board for the first time (a take on my vegan cheese board!)
• I’m making two NEW desserts: vegan apple cake & apple upside down tart. (Since I haven’t made them yet, I’m sharing my apple desserts from last year – links below!)

And, new to this year: a Rosh Hashanah apple COCKTAIL! Why? Because we are in a pandemic and I’ve been home with 3 kids, a rabbit and a husband for the past 7 months, literally 24/7, juggling homeschool, home therapy, nursing, cooking, cleaning, entertaining…. Did you REALLY need to ask WHY!? :)-

Please, if you need to as well, add this to your menu for the holiday. WHY NOT!? 🙂 (And maybe fun for the whole family? Last Shabbat the girls asked for some of our wine, so my husband gave them each a splash of our @wolfferwine Rosé. Rosé happens to be the 7 year olds favorite, her words. Even though the 3 year old kept said it was yucky, she kept drinking hers, too. Clearly, it’s been a long quarantine.)

These recipes are easy and fast to make! (especially the Instantpot Brisket!, the pea soup and the apple tart!). You all know I LOVE easy and fast recipes but I think THIS is, without a doubt, the year for doing less if you are overwhelmed and exhausted like many of us parents with young, dependent children at home.

I hope you find these menu ideas helpful. If you make any, please let me know in the comments below and be sure to tag me on social media @abbyphon if you post a pic!

May we all be blessed with good health and happiness.
Chag Sameach & Shanah Tovah!

Entrees/Main Courses

Soup

Sides

Whatever you do.. make it easy! You already did enough with the main course, soup & dessert!  🙂

Roast Veggies any you like! I’m not a big tzimis fan… I’d just prefer simple and easy roast carrots (and other veggies)! 🙂
Kugel – I leave the sweet, fruity, creamy kugel for the Yom Kippur break-the-fast! 🙂 I would do potatoes instead… any way you like!
Fall Salad – add pomegranates, shaved or sliced apples and dates

Dessert

Cocktails

“Jewish tradition teaches us that for the next ten days, the Book of Life is open. As millions of Jews ask God to inscribe their names in that book, we recognize how much lies beyond our control, yet during these days of awe we recognize our tremendous power to make a difference in our lives and in our world.”

—President Barack Obama

And one final thought, apropos for 5780 and the Covid pandemic:

The Kabbalists teach that the main cause of all chaos is separation, not physical, but energetic. This year we are physically separated more so than any year before, and therefore, are challenged with the illusion of separation maybe more so than any year before. But as we know, the greater the challenge, the greater the opportunity to reveal Light! Let’s embrace this opportunity, making an extra effort to connect to our friends and family from around the world, on a soul level, through the power of consciousness.