Throw a Modern Rosh Hashanah Dinner

Embrace the traditions of the Jewish high holidays while also setting a beautiful table for your family and friends. We share ideas to help you plan a modern Rosh Hashanah dinner party.

Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the new year on the Hebrew calendar. After sundown on the first night, families typically celebrate together with a festive meal. Apples are typically dipped in honey to symbolize hopes for a sweet new year. These pretty apple tea lights are a great way to incorporate the apple theme on your dinner table.

Put a small bowl filled with honey at each individual place setting. It's less messy than passing around a shared bowl and allows each guest to dip their apples on their own all throughout their meal.

Get everyone involved in planning good things to come in the new year with your own wishing tree. Have each guest fill out their wish on a small tag, and hang them all together on the tree.

Choose an elegant color like gold for your dinner party's color scheme. We paired charger plates with copper flatware, a creamy tablecloth and a textured macrame table runner.

Group votives together throughout the table setting to help set the scene. We chose sparkling gold candles to go with the overall gold theme.

Decorate with small fragrant bunches of Eucalyptus branches. The fresh greenery helps symbolize the renewal of a new year.

A big, delicious bowl of hot matzo ball soup is one of the most common Jewish holiday foods. Try Food Network's delicious matzo ball soup recipe.

In addition to dipping apples for a sweet new year, many also dip pieces of challah bread in honey. This dense, eggy bread is a Rosh Hashanah staple and is passed around the table so everyone can enjoy. Try Food Network's braided challah bread recipe.

Chicken is often served as a main course at a Rosh Hashanah dinner. Brisket is another great option if you're looking for an alternative. Try Food Network's perfect roast chicken recipe.

Keep the sweet theme going with honey-glazed carrots. Serve them in a rustic wood bowl to complement the gold and brass details of the table setting. Try our recipe for honey-glazed carrots.

Candied walnuts also symbolize a sweet new year. Place them in decorative wooden bowls around the table during the dessert course, so people can snack on them after their festive meal.

Use traditional Manischewitz Jewish wine to create your own signature cocktail for the evening. Combine equal parts Blackberry Manischewitz wine and white rum. Add a splash of fresh lime juice, a splash of seltzer, and a few fresh basil leaves to make a delicious mojito.