At sunset on Wednesday, September 8, Jews begin to celebrate one of their most important religious holidays, Rosh Hashanah. It is the Jewish New Year and means "head of the year" in Hebrew. According to Jewish tradition, it marks the anniversary of the creation of the world—the coming year is 5771.

An important tradition of the holiday is hearing the sound of the shofar, an instrument made from a hollowed-out ram's horn that is blown like a trumpet. Over 100 notes are sounded to urge people to "wake up" and reflect on the past year.

This shofar is made of horn, overlaid with stippled sterling silver and the image of a menorah. It is 10 1/2 inches long and sold for $275 at a JK Galleries auction in Florida.

May you and your loved ones be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year.

Ran on September 7, 2010.