NATCHEZ — A small contingent of Jewish residents throughout Natchez celebrated Jewish New Year Monday at Temple B’Nai Israel for one of the religion’s high holy days, Rosh Hashanah.

“The day is the beginning of a 10-day period of self reflection over the past year,” said David Goldblatt, one of the lay people who led the service.

For Judy Abrams, the holiday is a time for her to reconnect with her family and loved ones in Natchez. She was attending the service with her sister Elise Rushing.

“I come back every year for the high holidays,” she said.

Abrams lives in Los Angeles, but the temple holds special place in her heart.

“I have so many memories here, from being confirmed here to spending time with family here,” she said.

Abrams always sticks around for the duration of the 10 days that separate Rosh Hashanah from Judaism’s holiest day of Yom Kippur, which begins the evening of Sept. 22 and ends the following evening on Sept. 23.

The temple welcomes all in their worship.

Estelle Coulston and her daughter Celice Coulston attended the service despite not being Jewish themselves.

Estelle had a friend who was Jewish and has gone to several services in the past.

“We are just here to honor God,” Celice said. “It doesn’t matter which building you do it in.”