Rosh Hashana and Ramadan

They both begin this evening:

The setting of the sun this evening begins a sacred season for two of the world's most popular religions.

The unusual convergence marks the beginning of Ramadan, the monthlong Islamic fast, as well as Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year that starts the 10-day period known as the Days of Awe.

The two holidays typically happen on the same day only every 33 years, although they also occurred together in October 2005.

Both religions reckon time with the lunar calendar, which has 354 days, 11 fewer than the widely used Gregorian calendar.

Because Jewish holidays are connected to seasonal cycles, a 13th month is inserted into the Hebrew calendar every three years.

Major Muslim holidays are not connected to any seasonal or agricultural event, the Islamic calendar follows a strict 354-day cycle. As a result, the dates move up 10 days of the Gregorian calendar every year, so Ramadan falls during different seasons.

Today marks the new moon, the harvest season and a "turning point" in the year for Jews, said Rabbi Aryeh Wineman of Temple Beth El in Troy. The High Holy Days conclude 10 days on Sept. 22 with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This year is 5768.

Today's unique celebration of the two different faiths also marks a time to reflect upon their similarity, Wineman said.

"There's a sense of soul-searching and inner cleansing, spiritual cleansing and renewal," Wineman said. "It takes on different forms but that's the character of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and Ramadan, too."

Rosh Hashana starts with a period of contemplation in the synagogue followed by a festive meal at home with sweet foods. Observant Jews fast for Yom Kippur, on which the last hour of the traditional service is a period of prayer.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the the Islamic calendar, begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. Beginning Thursday morning, Muslims will fast from food and drink, including water, in daylight hours. The fast begins after suhoor, a morning meal before dawn, and is broken after sundown, usually with sweet dates.