SOUTHLAND JEWS TO MARK ROSH HASHANA ON MONDAY.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

Beginning at sundown Monday, Jews in Los Angeles will join Jews around the world in celebrating Rosh Hashana, the start of the High Holy Day period of forgiveness and personal renewal that ends 10 days later with Yom Kippur.

Rosh Hashana - or the ``head of the year'' in Hebrew - will begin at sundown Monday. With the sourness of penitence comes the sweetness of honey, the fellowship of services and the purity of religious introspection.

``Rosh Hashana is both about coming together as family and community, coming together to celebrate all of life's joys, to reflect on all the good that is in our lives and to ask some of the larger questions that need to be asked once a year,'' said Rabbi Richard Camras of Shomrei Torah synagogue in West Hills.

``Why are we here? What is our purpose? How can we act in a more God-like fashion?''

It begins with prayer and deep soul-searching. Of resolving to correct past mistakes. Of repairing relationships. Of making commitments to do better, to be better.

It ends with Yom Kippur, a day of atonement when Jews confess their sins to God, resolve not to repeat them, and seek forgiveness.

And in between comes the nectar of apples dipped in honey, sweet pomegranates and tzimmes. And loaves of fresh-baked challah.

For Nancy Wold, president of Shomrei Torah, it'll mean a seven-layer chocolate cake from Schwartz Bakery.

Dana Bartholomew, [phone]

dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com