While many students are excited to sleep in, some may not know that this Thursday is actually Rosh Hashanah, a holiday in the Jewish religion.

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival which is held on the first day of Tishri (which is in September). The day is marked by blowing the shofar (a musical instrument made from the horn of a ram), and begins the ten days of penitence which leads up to Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah is actually the Hebrew translation for “head of the year” which signifies the mark of a new year.

Since the Hebrew year is different from the world’s year, this Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the year 5775. Many celebrate this holiday by reflecting on their past and seeing what they can do to better themselves.