As the sun sets this evening, Newtown resident Michelle Soifer, like Jewish people throughout the world, will begin to reflect on the past year and think about what things she'd like to change in the year to come.

Tonight is the first night of the High Holy Days in the Jewish faith, which begin with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, and end 10 days later with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Tonight will be the first day of the year 5768, according to the Hebrew calendar. Sunset marks the first day of the month of Tishri, which begins autumn.

Rabbi Clifford E. Librach of the United Jewish Center in Danbury said the High Holy Days differ from other Jewish holidays in the deep meaning behind them.

"Rather than being a celebration in the traditional sense, they are a period of introspection where we examine our misdeeds and ask each other and God for another chance," said Librach, a Danbury resident.

"I feel like I could have been more patient with my children and not have been so quick to yell at them," said Soifer, 40, the mother of Scott, 8, and Deena, 4.

According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashana celebrates the creation of the world. Both holidays are marked by spending time with family members.

"Every year growing up, my family and I used to spend Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur with my grandmothers," Soifer said.

After temple, Soifer's family would break the 24-hour fasting period of Yom Kippur with a traditional Jewish meal of matzoh ball soup and pot roast.

"Since my grandmothers passed away, each time my family gets together during this holiday, we prepare this same meal and exchange great memories of them so that my kids can learn about what kind of women they were," Soifer said.

According to Librach, the High Holy Days should also remind the Jewish people of the importance of having hope during turbulent times.

"There is much sadness in the world, and there are many challenges which face the Jewish people," he said. "Judaism insists there is no challenge that we need to face without hope. Without hope, we would not accomplish, achieve, persevere, struggle or dream."

Hope ties into Barry Abrams' thoughts this time of year.

"For me, this holiday is special in the knowledge that my ancestors fought so hard against persecution and never lost hope that things would get better for them," said Abrams, 36, of Danbury who has a 4-year-old son, Spencer.

"At this time of year, I feel a connection to my ancestors and believe I am a stronger person from them," he said.

Judy Coco of Danbury, a fifth-grade religious school teacher at Temple Beth Elohim in Brewster, N.Y., said it's important for children, as well as adults, to be educated about the High Holy Days so they will understand them better and fully appreciate what it means to be Jewish.

"From a very young age, children should be taught the importance of being kind to one another, making sure to tell the truth, and being thankful for what they have," she said.

For Rabbi Jon Haddon of Temple Shearith Israel in Ridgefield, the High Holy Days this year will not just be an occasion for renewal and self-examination, but a time to look back upon his accomplishments at the synagogue in the past 21 years. This will be his last year there.

Haddon said his sermons in the coming days will reflect a sense of looking back on some of the events of the past year, in both the world and in issues of personal growth and development.

"In whatever religion you are, it's important to set aside time to sit back and take stock in what you are doing and what you can do better," said Abrams. "The High Holy Days give you this opportunity. They are like your year-end review."