The Jewish New Year 5787—Rosh Hashanah (literally “Head of the Year”)—begins on September 11–13, 2026. It is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar, marking the start of a new cycle and a time for reflection on the past year, introspection, regret, and transformation.
To mark the New Year, the Good Will Foundation invites you to discover Jewish culture and history in Lithuania.
The traditional symbols of the Jewish New Year table—apples, honey, and pomegranates—each hold special significance. An apple dipped in honey symbolizes the wish for a sweet year ahead. The pomegranate, filled with countless seeds, traditionally represents the hope that the new year will be as abundant in good deeds as the fruit is in seeds.
An integral part of Rosh Hashanah is the sound of the shofar, an ancient instrument made from a ram’s horn. Its resounding blast is a traditional call to pause, reflect on the past year, and prepare spiritually for the new one—acting as a wake-up call for the soul. This year, the sound of the shofar will ring out at the Vilnius Choral Synagogue on September 13 at 12:00 PM, and on September 15, a festive Shofar March will set off from Three Crosses Hill in Vilnius, concluding with a concert and refreshments at Town Hall Square.
Prayers hold special significance during the holidays. Services will be held at the Vilnius Choral Synagogue—the only active synagogue in Lithuania—from September 11 to 13:
Friday — Erev Rosh Hashanah (New Year’s Eve)
19:00 — Mincha and Maariv
Saturday
10:00 — Shacharit (morning prayer)
12:00 — Musaf (additional prayer)
18:45 — Mincha
Sunday
10:00 — Shacharit
12:00 — Shofar blowing
12:30 — Musaf
18:45 — Mincha and Maariv
Meanwhile, at the “Cvi Parkas” leisure and creative space—located in the former P. Cvirka Square—challah and apple cake will be distributed today, September 11, as the Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) community wishes to share a taste of this festive sweetness with everyone. You do not need to be Jewish to join in; “Cvi Parkas” is a space for all, and such celebrations reflect the values the community strives to uphold every day: bringing diverse people together around the same table. So, whether Rosh Hashanah is part of your own traditions or you are simply curious, come by to taste the challah and apple cake.
You can purchase publications related to Jewish culture, history, and Holocaust research at the Good Will Foundation’s e-shop: https://gvf.lt/en/e-shop/.
Following the demolition this summer of a Soviet-era kindergarten building, archaeological research at the site of the Great Synagogue of Vilnius—ongoing since 2011 and funded by the Good Will Foundation—continued. The Good Will Foundation invites you to join the tours of the Great Synagogue’s archaeological excavation site that began this summer; there is still time to register and participate in tours running until September 25. You can find the registration form here: https://gvf.lt/en/2026/08/24/information-regarding-further-guided-tours-of-the-great-synagogue-of-vilnius/
You can also purchase unique, meaningful handmade souvenirs at the Good Will Foundation’s e-shop: https://gvf.lt/en/souvenirs/. These include handmade mezuzahs and decorated brooches from the “Arts of Clay” studio in Lithuania. A mezuzah is an elongated case containing a prayer text; affixed to the doorframe of a home, it signifies that the household lives according to Jewish precepts. The Hamsa hand is an ancient symbol of protection, good fortune, and peace, known worldwide; the eye in its center wards off the “evil eye,” while the hand itself brings blessings. The Star of David is not merely an accessory but a symbol of protection, faith, belonging, and hope—perfect for everyday wear on a jacket lapel, shirt collar, bag, or scarf.
May the coming year 5787 bring peace, health, joy, and light to your home!
Photo © GWF