Rosh Hashanah Dinner Invitation Wording: Examples for Every Style

Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year — calls for invitations that match the occasion: warm, meaningful, and specific enough that guests know what to expect. Whether you are hosting a formal sit-down dinner for family, a casual gathering for friends, or an interfaith table for neighbors who may be experiencing the holiday for the first time, the right wording sets the tone before anyone walks in the door.

Rosh Hashanah 5787 begins at sundown on Friday, September 11, 2026, with the two days of observance falling on Saturday and Sunday, September 12–13. If you are hosting this year, your invitations should go out no later than mid-August — ideally earlier for guests who may need to travel or arrange childcare. Here are wording examples for every style, plus the practical details every invitation needs to include.

What to Include in Every Rosh Hashanah Dinner Invitation

Beyond the standard event logistics (who, what, when, where, RSVP), Rosh Hashanah dinner invitations benefit from a few holiday-specific details:

Which meal you are hosting. Rosh Hashanah spans two days. Clarify whether you are hosting the evening meal on September 11 (Erev Rosh Hashanah), a lunch on September 12 (Day 1), a lunch on September 13 (Day 2), or some combination.
Start time relative to sundown. The holiday begins at sundown. If you are hosting an evening meal, note the start time clearly — guests unfamiliar with Jewish observance will appreciate the specificity.
Dietary or kitchen notes. If your home maintains a kosher kitchen, say so explicitly: "Our home is kosher — please do not bring outside food." This prevents awkward moments and helps guests plan any contributions.
A Hebrew greeting. Even a simple "Shanah Tovah!" at the top immediately signals the holiday context and feels personal.
RSVP deadline set before the holiday. For observant guests, electronic RSVPs cannot be sent on Shabbat or during the holiday itself. Set your deadline at least 1–2 days before September 11 so everyone can respond in time.

Rosh Hashanah Dinner Invitation Wording Examples

See what a Jewish occasion RSVP page looks like when guests receive it — the same format works beautifully for a Rosh Hashanah dinner.

Formal / Religious

Best for traditional households, multigenerational family dinners, or synagogue community gatherings.

L'Shanah Tovah U'Metukah — for a good and sweet New Year. Please join us for our Rosh Hashanah dinner as we welcome the year 5787 together.

Friday, September 11, 2026 · 7:00 in the evening
The Goldstein family home · 412 Maple Drive, Chicago

Kindly RSVP by September 5th. Our home is kosher.

With gratitude for your friendship and faith, we invite you to share our table as we usher in the Jewish New Year. Please join the Levine family for Rosh Hashanah dinner on Friday, September 11 at half past six. 29 Hillcrest Road, Newton. Respond by September 4: [RSVP link]

Warm and Semi-Formal

Works well for close friends and family who may not need formal phrasing but still appreciate the occasion being properly marked.

Shana Tova! A sweet new year begins in the company of people we love. Join us for Rosh Hashanah dinner — apples and honey, round challah, and a table full of good conversation.

Friday, September 11 · 7pm
David & Rachel Stern · 88 Oak Street, Brooklyn
RSVP by September 5: [your RSVP link]

We hope this New Year brings you sweetness in every form. Our family would love to have you at our Rosh Hashanah table. Dinner is at 6:30 on Friday, September 11. 1204 Birch Lane, Silver Spring, MD. Please let us know if you're coming by September 4 — and mention any dietary needs.

Casual / Friendly

Ideal for groups of friends, younger hosts, or gatherings that are celebratory more than ceremonial.

It's a new year and we're celebrating! Come dip apples in honey and ring in 5787 with us. Friday, September 11 · 7pm · Our place (address in the link). Shanah Tovah! RSVP here: [link]

Honey, challah, and good company — come celebrate Rosh Hashanah with us on September 11. Dinner at 7pm. Text Sarah to RSVP: (555) 000-0000. P.S. bring your appetite, we are making way too much food.

Secular and Interfaith-Friendly

When your guest list includes people who may be unfamiliar with Rosh Hashanah, inclusive wording helps them feel welcomed rather than uncertain. Focus on the festive, communal nature of the meal.

Happy New Year! We're hosting a Rosh Hashanah dinner on Friday, September 11 to celebrate the Jewish New Year with family and friends of all backgrounds. Dinner begins at 7pm at 412 Maple Drive. No prior knowledge required — just bring an appetite and an open heart. RSVP by September 5: [link]

Join us for dinner as we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. We'll share symbolic foods, a bit of holiday tradition, and a whole lot of good cooking. September 11 · 7pm · 89 Willow Court, Austin. Let us know you're coming: [RSVP link]

When to Send Your Invitations

The recommended timeline for a Rosh Hashanah dinner:

Formal dinner with out-of-town guests: 4–6 weeks out. For Rosh Hashanah 2026 that means sending invitations in late July to mid-August.
Casual local gathering: 2–3 weeks is sufficient — mid-to-late August works fine.
RSVP deadline: Set it at least 1–2 days before the holiday begins, giving observant guests time to respond before Shabbat and holiday restrictions take effect.

For timing guidance that applies to any occasion, see our guide on when to send party invitations.

Timing, Dress Code, and Food Notes

A few practical details to include — or be prepared to answer — when you send your invitation:

Sundown timing. The holiday begins at sundown, which across most of the U.S. falls between 6:30 and 7:45 pm on September 11. Many hosts begin with drinks before sundown and move to the formal dinner shortly after. Either approach works — just be specific in your invitation so guests arrive at the right moment.

Dress code. Most Rosh Hashanah dinners expect smart casual to semi-formal attire — think a dressy family dinner rather than a casual cookout. In some communities, white is worn to symbolize renewal. If you have a specific expectation, mention it; if not, "festive attire" or "smart casual" is enough.

Symbolic foods. Rosh Hashanah tables traditionally feature apples dipped in honey (for a sweet year), round challah bread dipped in honey instead of salt, and pomegranate. If your guests include people new to the holiday, a brief note in your invitation — "we'll be sharing traditional Rosh Hashanah foods including apples and honey" — helps them feel included rather than surprised.

Kosher kitchen. If your home is kosher, say so clearly in the invitation and specify whether guests are welcome to bring dishes (and if so, what kashrut requirements apply). Clarity here makes the evening much smoother for everyone.

For a full planning walkthrough, see our guide to hosting a Rosh Hashanah dinner.

Making RSVP Collection Easy

Rosh Hashanah dinners require careful headcounts — especially when you are coordinating a kosher menu or planning symbolic dishes for the table. A digital RSVP link is the most efficient way to collect responses: guests click once, confirm attendance, and you see your count in real time without chasing anyone down by phone or text.

Create your Rosh Hashanah RSVP page for free — add your event details, set a deadline, and drop the link directly into your invitation text or email. If you need to nudge guests who haven't responded as the holiday approaches, our RSVP reminder wording examples make it easy to follow up without the awkwardness.

Shanah Tovah — may the year ahead be sweet for everyone at your table.