Rosh Hashanah Edition: Advice from Women Who Love to Host
Rosh Hashanah is just around the corner, and if you're the one hosting, chances are you're already thinking about the table. We asked some incredible women who love to host to share their tips, tricks, and traditions for making a Rosh Hashanah table that's beautiful, special, and meaningful. Trust me, you will adopt some new ideas for your own Holiday Table.
Incorporate apple imagery into your decor
"I love finding fun ways to incorporate apple imagery into my Rosh Hashanah decor. I'm obsessed with Molly Yeh's Stoneware Honey Pot and NESSI's Apples and Honey paper plates — two highlights of this year's GOLDA High Holiday Gift Guide."
— Stephanie Butnick, Founder, GOLDA
Start a tradition that celebrates your guests
"My hands-down favorite Rosh Hashanah tradition was started by my mother. For three decades, she would host a massive 2nd night potluck dinner at our beach house. The whole community would come — people would clamor for an invite. It got so big they had to have the outdoor decks reinforced beforehand. Everyone would bring their best dishes (Barry Cooper's noodle kugel was a thing of legend) — but the most eagerly awaited moment was after lighting candles, when my mom pulled out the ladder. She would climb up and pull out a list of notes she'd compiled to announce and celebrate all the guests' accomplishments of the year — no achievement was too small. The energy in that room! Everyone felt so seen — so joyous, united. She made us feel what it was to be a part of the tribe."
— Jen Cohn, Performer, Voice Actor, Producer, Fashion Maven (@heyitsjencohn)
Know your audience when planning the menu
"Know your audience. Between gluten-free and gluten-filled, pescatarian and vegan, the guest list shapes the menu. A little planning goes a long way — it's far easier to build a meal everyone can enjoy than to make half your guests feel like they got the kosher meal on the airplane. Because it's less about the food and more about the company. Set an extra seat for a friend. Everyone deserves a place at the holiday."
— Vanessa Goldberg, COO, Darcy Miller
Create a low-stakes collective moment
"I'm a big fan of creating a little collective creative moment at any party or holiday gathering — something that gets everyone participating without high stakes. This year, I'm making a post-it wall; on one color, guests can write what they want more of in the year ahead; on the other, what they'd like a little less of. Since Rosh Hashanah kicks off the ten days of reflection leading up to Yom Kippur, it's a fun, bite-sized way to dip a toe into the deep stuff."
— Amanda Kingloff, Co-Author, The Art of Jewish Joy + Founder, Project Kid
Bring a beautiful, festive challah
"Sadly I don't host Rosh Hashanah these days (a pro or a con of being a pulpit rabbi, depending how one views it). But as a guest, I love to bring one of the Breads Bakery festive challahs, which are round and covered in different types of seeds."
— Rabbi Arielle Stein (@rabbiariellestein)
Keep the table simple and beautiful
"Beautiful flowers, beautiful linens, and beautiful pottery."
— Carola Spitzer, Founder, Carola Spitzer Jewelry
Always invite the extra person
"Invite the extra person. Make more food than you think you'll need. A table that feels a little too full is usually the one no one wants to leave."
— Dani Levy, Co-Founder, Shop Moio
Overshop, overcook, and always say yes
"Over shop and overcook so you can confidently say YES to last minute guests joining your table and find the honey guy (Andrew's honey) at Union Square farmer's market and convince him to sell you a whole frame. It's a show stopper."
— Jacqueline Lobel, Founder, Shtick NYC
Add meaning with a blessing around the table
"I was born on Rosh Hashanah, so it has always been my favorite holiday. Every year since I was born, my family of Holocaust survivors has gathered 30+ people around our table to celebrate. Being able to come together, generation after generation, and honor our Jewish traditions is something I never take for granted. I love adding meaning to our Rosh Hashanah dinner by sharing a beautiful printout with the mystical symbolism behind the special fruits and foods, giving everyone a chance to go around the table and bless one another with a sweet, healthy, peaceful, successful, and abundant year ahead."
— Rachie Shnay, Founder, Rachie Shnay (@rachieshnay)
Slice apples last, and go around with wishes
"Two things: slice the apples at the very last minute to avoid browning, and before dessert, go around the table and have everyone share a wish for a sweet new year — both the meaningful AND the lighthearted. This tradition was inspired by my brother, who announced last year that 'you have good skin' is the best compliment a person can receive, and wished to devote more time to his skincare routine accordingly. It was iconic."
— Anna Paskow, Co-Founder, Shop Tchotchke
Wishing you a sweet, meaningful, and beautifully set new year. Shana Tova!