Welcoming the Jewish New Year with prayer and food

With the Jewish New Year ready to kick off in a few hours, the staff at Temple Isaiah of Newport Beach spent the early afternoon Friday setting up for the feast ahead. The new year on the Hebrew calendar begins with Rosh Hashanah, a two-day holiday featuring sermons, prayers, music and plenty of food.

At 8 p.m. on Friday, at Temple Isaiah and other synagogues around the area, Rosh Hashanah was set to begin. Rabbi Marc Rubenstein and volunteer Ashlyn Bradford were among those preparing the menu, which included wine, fruit and round challah bread.