Jewish New Year · wording guide
Rosh Hashanah greetings: what to write in a card
Appropriate Rosh Hashanah greetings and card messages for family, friends, colleagues and UK workplaces, with 2026 dates and London festival times.
Use language that fits the moment.
The direct answer
The simplest appropriate Rosh Hashanah greeting is “Shana Tova”, meaning “a good year”. In English, “Wishing you a happy, healthy and sweet New Year” is warm and widely suitable. Send it before the festival or during its two days; for a colleague or client, a brief message acknowledging the Jewish New Year is thoughtful and appropriate.
Know the moment
Rosh Hashanah 2026 in the UK
United Synagogue London times. Festival times vary across the UK, so check the recipient’s local community if timing is important.
Words ready to use
Ready-to-copy Rosh Hashanah messages
Shana Tova! Wishing you a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
Wishing you and the whole family a year filled with good health, happiness and many sweet moments together. Shana Tova!
Thinking of you as the Jewish New Year begins. May the year ahead bring peace, joy and plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and peaceful Rosh Hashanah, and every success for the year ahead.
Shana Tova to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah. We wish our Jewish colleagues, pupils and families a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
Shana Tova u’Metuka — may you be blessed with a good and sweet New Year.
Avoid the awkward moment
What not to say or assume
Do not assume every Jewish person observes in the same way; a warm greeting does not need to describe their plans.
Avoid turning the message into a joke about apples, honey or food unless you know the recipient will enjoy it.
For a business message, avoid sales language alongside the greeting. Let the acknowledgement stand on its own.
Understand the context
Guidance beyond the greeting
What does Shana Tova mean?
Shana Tova, also written Shanah Tovah, means “a good year”. Shana Tova u’Metuka adds the wish for “a good and sweet year”. Both are natural greetings throughout Rosh Hashanah and the surrounding High Holiday season.
When should I send a Rosh Hashanah card?
A few days before the festival is ideal because Jewish holidays begin in the evening. A digital card can also be sent during the festival, although observant recipients may not see phone or email messages until after the holiday ends.
In 2026 the first evening is also Shabbat. If you want the recipient to see your message beforehand, send it by Friday afternoon.
A note for non-Jewish friends and colleagues
You do not need Hebrew or specialist knowledge. “Happy Jewish New Year” or “Wishing you a happy Rosh Hashanah” is sincere and appropriate. Correct spelling matters less than a warm, personal message.
Complimentary digital card
Take the thoughtfulness with you.
Download a share-ready 1080 × 1350 PNG. You send it yourself; we never need the recipient’s details.A sweet new year
שנה טובה
Wishing you health, happiness and many sweet moments ahead.Jewish Moments UKTimely, not noisy
Remind me before Rosh Hashanah
Receive the UK date, the right greeting and a complimentary card before the Jewish New Year begins.Natural questions
Questions, answered clearly
Is it appropriate to say Happy Rosh Hashanah?
Yes. “Happy Rosh Hashanah”, “Happy Jewish New Year” and “Shana Tova” are all appropriate. Adding wishes for health, peace or sweetness makes the message more personal.
What does Shana Tova mean?
Shana Tova means “a good year”. The fuller greeting Shana Tova u’Metuka means “a good and sweet year”. Spellings vary because the words are transliterated from Hebrew.
Can a non-Jewish person say Shana Tova?
Absolutely. It is a welcoming seasonal greeting, and using it thoughtfully is generally appreciated. A simple English greeting is equally appropriate.
When is Rosh Hashanah 2026 in the UK?
It begins at sunset on Friday 11 September 2026 and ends after nightfall on Sunday 13 September. In London, United Synagogue lists 19:10 on Friday and 20:07 on Sunday.
Should a business send a promotional Rosh Hashanah message?
An acknowledgement is thoughtful; combining it with a sales pitch can feel transactional. Keep the greeting sincere and place any ordinary promotion elsewhere.
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