The Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most important of all Jewish holidays. They are the only Jewish holidays that are purely religious and not related to an historical or natural event. The High Holy Days are observed during the ten-day period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, or this year beginning at sundown on October 1 through sundown on October 11.

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is celebrated the first and second days of Tishri and is a time of family gatherings and special meals. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a day of fasting, reflection, and prayers. It is the most solemn day of the Jewish year and is observed on the tenth day of Tishri.

"Rosh Hashanah celebrates the creation of the world and is a time for reflection and self evaluation." At The Rosh Hashanah Web Site, you'll learn other names for Rosh Hashanah, read stories about the holiday, and discover the traditions of foods, tashlich, and tzedakah.

Virtual Jerusalem is advertised as being the largest site for Jewish and Israel-related materials on the Net. Learn of the Ten Days of Penitence or how Yom Kippur relates to the freeing of slaves. The site explains how to prepare for the Day of Atonement, restrictions and dress during that day, and sample prayers. The site also offers a wide selection of Hebrew and Jewish software.

Listen to the sounds of the Shofar, one of the earliest musical instruments known to humanity.

Travel the city of Jerusalem through pictures and history by visiting The Jewish Mosaic. For example, you can visit the sites of the First Temple, taste the typical food, or see the common dress. Or, take a virtual tour of the city itself, complete with information and pictures on the Gates of Jerusalem, Holy Sites, and Chagall Windows.

The Jewish Communications Network is a digital Jewish community composed of people from around the world. The site features news as well as traditions and information on the Holocaust, Israel, and Jewish holidays. Read why the Jewish month of Tishri is different, and learn new customs to celebrate the Jewish New Year. Read an article on how to prepare your heart for the High Holy Days, or learn ten ways to make the High Holy Days more meaningful to your children.

For a guide to over 5000 Jewish and Israel links on the Net, visit Maven. You'll find information on government and politics, businesses, communities and synagogues, Judaism, and more.

The site of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers information about the office itself as well as wonderful photographic exhibits such as Jerusalem in Old Maps and Views and Jerusalem from the Air.

The Museum of the Jewish People features information about the actual museum as well as categories such as music, genealogy, family names, and education. Under Family Names, you can discover the origin of your family name, or you can visit Genealogy for information on family trees or specific family members.

Judaism and Jewish Resources offers information on Jewish subjects such as the State of Israel, Jewish organizations, Jewish mailing lists and newsgroups, and the Hebrew calendar.

Al Filreis, an English professor at Pennsylvania State University, developed Literature of the Holocaust as a companion website for one of his courses. The site offers an impressive volume of information on the Holocaust.

For up-to-date news on Israel, visit the Israel Internet News Service.

The (Almost) Complete Guide to WWW in Israel contains over 1400 links to areas such as education, news, religion, and health. Click on Society & Culture/Religion, then Holidays, and finally on WZO's Holidays with a Twist for articles such as Things Aren't Always as They Seem or the High Holiday Survival Guide.

For a smorgasbord of Jewish resources, try Mario's Cyberspace Station: Israel. Read the latest Israeli news, visit information sources all over the Web, or join one of 468 Jewish email lists.

Shema Yisrael Torah Network is an international Jewish community set up to allow users to study the Talmud and the Torah; ask questions of rabbis; collect information on Orthodox synagogues, schools, and ritual baths around the world; and shop in Torah-connected electronic malls.

The Western Wall is the only remnant of the Temple which was destroyed by Titus in 68 C.E. The Wall is a symbol of the Jewish people, and wherever a Jew is in the world, he turns toward Jerusalem to the Western Wall to pray. See a live view of the Wall at Aish HaTorah, Window on the Western Wall.

Robin Nobles is a freelance writer who can be reached at robinnobles@robinsnest.com.

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