Every week, Shabbat tables across the UK feature long, braided challahs – golden, glossy, and inviting. But when Rosh Hashanah comes around, that same dough takes on a new form: round.
It’s not just for looks. This soft spiral of bread carries layers of symbolism, from the cycle of the year to the eternal nature of life, making it one of the most meaningful changes in the Jewish holiday kitchen.
The round challah is a relatively modern Ashkenazi tradition, though the idea of shaping bread for holidays goes back to biblical times.
The shape represents:
Continuity – the unbroken circle of the year
Unity – no beginning, no end
The Crown – honouring G-d as King during the High Holy Days
Some Sephardi families shape their Rosh Hashanah bread like ladders or birds, symbols of spiritual ascent. But in much of the Ashkenazi world, round is the gold standard.
The symbolism doesn’t stop at the shape. For Rosh Hashanah, challah often gets an upgrade in flavour:
Brushed with honey glaze
Sprinkled with raisins for extra sweetness
Served alongside apple slices for dipping
It’s the edible version of a New Year’s greeting card.
More Than Bread
Jewish food traditions are rarely just about taste. In many communities, baking round challahs is part of a larger spiritual preparation, a way of expressing hopes for the year ahead through something tangible, warm, and shareable.
It’s a reminder that rituals aren’t just in the synagogue, they’re also in our kitchens.
Honey is more than tradition, it’s a reminder that sweetness takes effort. Bees work for it. We prepare for it. And at Rosh Hashanah, we taste it and hope for more of it in the year ahead.
From our hive to your home – Shana Tova.
Whether you bake your own or order in, the round challah deserves pride of place at your Rosh Hashanah table.
At Sabeny, we offer:
So whether you’re hosting or gifting, the circle can be complete.
The round challah is more than a holiday bread. It’s a story, a prayer, and a delicious reminder that life moves in cycles, and each year, we get another chance to make it sweeter.
Shana Tova from the Sabeny kitchen to yours.
Keywords: round challah Rosh Hashanah, kosher challah UK, Rosh Hashanah bread tradition, Jewish holiday bread, order round challah UK
Enjoy exclusive offers and the latest updates when you sign up to our newsletter.
