what is the first thought that pops into your head when you hear the phrase “New Year?” Maybe 2014? The ball dropping? A celebration? 

When posed this exact same phrase, “New Year,” several Jewish teenagers associated it with Jan. 1. Other thoughts included parties, winter break, and fireworks. Not surprising, there is no mention of Rosh Hashanah, our Jewish New Year, that takes place only a few months before.

So if the phrase “New Year” automatically triggers Jan. 1, what exactly differentiates Rosh Hashanah from the secular New Year? 

“When I think of the secular New Year, I think of extravagant parties and celebrations,” Ethan Jablonow, a sophomore at Ladue Horton Watkins High School and member of United Hebrew, said. “For Rosh Hashanah, I think of temple and a more serious side of things.”

The Jewish new year is more personal, specific to only Jews and our heritage. Maya Gross, a sophomore at Whitfield and a member of Shaare Emeth, feels a unique connection to the selectively Jewish aspect of Rosh Hashanah. 

“Rosh Hashanah is a part of my Jewish culture, while New Years is for everyone,” Maya said. 

Some teens use Rosh Hashanah as a chance to become personally involved. For Jenna Shanker, member of Congregation B’nai Amoona, and sophomore at Ladue, Rosh Hashanah becomes a holiday to connect with.

“I have more of a connection with [Rosh Hashanah] than the [secular] new year in general, just because it has to do with my religion,”  Jenna said. 

Not only does Rosh Hashanah give us a chance to reflect internally, but a time to connect with family as well. For Jessie Goldberg, a freshman at Parkway Central High School and a member of B’nai Amoona, family is an extremely important factor in welcoming the new year. 

“I enjoy Rosh Hashanah because I get to see my extended family, and I really value that,” Jessie said. 

Other teens view the secular New Year as a chance to celebrate. They go all out, and appreciate that another year has come. 

“With New Year’s, it’s this big event, where you buy really good food, and there are poppers and fireworks,” Shoshana Grossman, a member of Kol Rinah and a sophomore at Ladue, said. 

New Year’s on Jan. 1 also tends to be about turning over a new leaf, say these teens. It’s a chance to start a new journey, together with the rest of the world. 

“You’re going in with the mindset that everything is changing. This is a new year, new beginning. This is all going to be different,” Shoshana said.

When it comes to starting anew, New Year and Rosh Hashanah are not the only holidays that fall into this category. Consider Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees. In Israel, it marks an appreciation for the nature all around us.  Thinking outside the box, embracing many types of traditions, and celebrating life, all stem from discussing a new year. This New Year, and next Rosh Hashanah, or even  Tu B’Shevat, can become a time to appreciate the fact that the world is turning another year older, and we are all privileged to see it happen.