“Autumn is a special, spiritual time of the year for people of the Jewish faith. Elul (a month of introspection, repentance, and reconciliation) leads to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur – the most important of all Jewish Holidays. Together Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are known as the Yamim Nora’im, the ‘Days of Awe’. In English they are often referred to as the ‘High Holy Days’.”

I’m guessing most folks know little about the Jewish holy observance Rosh Hashanah. I was among them. But I just received a concise summary (above is the opening paragraph) thanks to the Interfaith eLert in my inbox from Common Tables.

You gotta love the folks at Common Tables, to which a friend alerted me. Using the power of the Internet, Common Tables provides a resource for members “to celebrate those things we have in common, while respecting the traditions, beliefs and cultures that are different from our own.”

I immediately signed up for the “Interfaith eLerts — a quick, easy, and FREE way to learn about the sacred days and religious observances of ‘The Others.’ ”

The latest goes on to explain that Rosh Hashanah (ROSH hah-SHAH-nah) literally means “head of the year,” is commonly referred to as the “Jewish New Year” and is seen as the symbolic anniversary of the creation of the world.

There is further informative detail regarding the meaning of the holiday, how it is celebrated, symbolic customs such as casting off sins, even the traditional greeting of “Shana Tova,” translated as “For a Good Year.”

The eLert concluded: “During Rosh Hashanah and this time of Jewish High Holy Days, we ask that each of you pause for a few moments and, in a manner appropriate in your faith tradition and/or belief system, join with us in sending thoughts of love and good will to our Jewish brothers and sisters.”

Similarly, the previous eLert provided a succinct summary of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting whose observance is due to end Sunday or Monday.

That eLert had concluded: “After sunset on August 20th/21st, we ask that you join with us as we pause for a few moments and send feelings of love and good will to our Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world at the beginning of their special time of Ramadan.”

As with each eLert, the tagline was “Shalom Salaam Peace” from “Kay & Dave Corby, Founders.”

An archive of past items included Hindu, Rastafarian, Buddhist, Wiccan, Sikh, Baha’i, and various Christian denomination observances. There’s even a notice of upcoming eLerts.

I hope soon to add a link the full info I received in the email. Meanwhile it prompted a Google search, which led to a brief Washington Post item, announcing Rosh Hashanah’s arrival at sundown Sept. 18.

With the eLert subscriptions free, and annual memberships $35, Common Tables is heaven sent.