JEWS AROUND A.V. GET READY FOR START OF DAYS OF AWE.

Byline: Daily News

As the sun sets Friday, Jews of the Antelope Valley and around the world will congregate in prayer and festivity for Rosh Hashana and the start of the High Holy Days.

The 10-day period from Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur - traditionally called the Days of Awe because it is when Jews stand in awe of the world and its Creator - the High Holy Days this year begin Friday at sundown and end Sept. 20 at sundown.

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, is a time for the Jewish people to thank God for creating the world, a time for prayer and forgiveness. Families celebrate in part by eating traditional foods - like egg bread and apples dipped in honey, symbolizing hope for a sweet year to come.

On the first evening of Rosh Hashana, after services, Jews exchange the traditional blessing, ``May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.''

Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, Jews ask for forgiveness for any wrongs they have done to other people and contemplate how they can change their actions for the better in the coming year. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, will begin at sundown Sept. 19, when Jews will begin a 24-hour fast. The shofar, a ram's horn, is blown again at the conclusion of the afternoon service of Yom Kippur to end the High Holy Days.

The Yom Kippur liturgy focuses on forgiveness, repentance and life and peace in the new year. A memorial service, held on Yom Kippur afternoon and called Yizkor, honors deceased relatives.

High Holy Days services in the Antelope Valley will be held by Beth Knesset Bamidbar, 1611 E. Ave. J, Lancaster, and by the Chabad Center for Jewish Enrichment, 42741 45th St. W., Suite E, Lancaster. For information, call Beth Knesset Bamidbar at [phone] or the Chabad Center [phone].