ROSH HASHANAH BEGINS TODAY

Jewish families from throughout the area will congregate at Temple B'Nai Israel in downtown Cape Girardeau at sundown today to begin celebrating the Jewish New Year.

Rosh Hashanah begins with a brief service beginning at sundown today and will continue with the reading of the Torah Monday and Tuesday.

Don Makovski, executive director of the Bloch Yeshiva High School in St. Louis, will help a visiting rabbi conduct the services for the ninth consecutive year. Also assisting will be Makovski's son, Michael.

Marlene Rosengarten, a member of Temple B'Nai Israel, said there are few Jewish families in the Cape Girardeau area but that families often come from Sikeston, Anna and as far away as St. Louis to help celebrate the traditional Jewish holidays.

"It is a time for family and prayer and celebration," she said.

The temple is at 126 S. Main.