'Shana Tova': Rosh Hashana 2010 Best of the Web

(Sept. 8) -- Tonight marks the beginning of Rosh Hashana, the celebration of the Jewish New Year. Literally meaning "head of the year" or "first of the year," much like the secular new year, the holiday is time for reflection and resolutions.

To mark the occasion, Surge Desk extends a "Shana Tova u'Metuka" (a good and sweet year) to everyone, and offers up a Rosh Hashana multimedia extravaganza:

Barack Obama released a video offering Jews his "warmest wishes for the new year." The president took the opportunity to emphasize the effort and struggle for the possibility of a two-state solution when talks between Israeli and Palestinian leadership resume next week in Sharm el-Sheikh. Read more from the Surge Desk.

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Parents and teachers in Brooklyn are confused and annoyed because their students started school on a Wednesday and are already set to enjoy a four-day weekend. The inconvenient start date also stems from a disagreement between the teachers union and the Department of Education. Read more at the New York Daily News.

Jewish mothers everywhere are cooking up a storm, but that didn't stop Huffington Post columnist Carin Davis from serving up her thoughts on honey cake, a traditional Rosh Hashana dessert symbolizing a sweet new year. Read more at The Huffington Post.

New York Fashion Week kicks off on Thursday and is leaving some designers with more audience members in synagogue than by the catwalk. Some Jewish designers like Max Azria and Yigal Azrouel rescheduled their shows from Thursday, while others had no choice but to use their original time slot. Read more at The New York Times.

And as always, celebrities and politicians are tweeting their holiday greetings to their followers.

Michelle and I wish all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah a sweet year full of health and prosperity.less than a minute ago via HootSuiteBarack Obama
BarackObama

Happy Rosh Hashanah http://is.gd/f0mvtless than a minute ago via webSarah Palin
SarahPalinUSA

L'Shana Tova to all of my friends celebrating Rosh Hashana!!!!!less than a minute ago via webRicky Martin
ricky_martin

Happy Rosh Hashanah to all the jewish bugs out there. Don't overdo it on the food at Grandmas.less than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®The Running Bug
TheRunningBug

Finally, few symbols say "Shana Tova" like the shofar. While the ceremonial call of the ram's horn instrument is traditionally limited to three simple arrangements, the Surge Desk concludes with this impressive video of Pastor Patrick Hadley sounding the shofar to the tune of the Israeli national anthem, "Hatikva," and "Amazing Grace."