The Israelis are Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the High Holidays and a time for reflection and prayer. There are 10 days of repentance that leads to the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement.
The new year comes at a time of political uncertainty in Israel, the Palestinians are seeking the recognition of an independent state within the United Nations.
Many of the children of Israel, as these people on the streets of Jerusalem, are skeptical about the prospects for peace.
This man is not identified in this way: "I do not expect much progress in the peace process did not really expect there to be a Palestinian state.".
Israeli woman and this has also expressed doubts. "I have my doubts," he said. "Because we can give many concessions to the Palestinians, and no matter what you want to give more."
To complicate peace efforts, Israel said Tuesday will build 1100 new homes in East Jerusalem, disputed, that the Palestinians want a future state. The United States and the European Union has reacted angrily to a notification, saying it hurts efforts to revive peace talks.
The Palestinians have refused to return to the negotiating table until Israel stopped all settlement expansion. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, gave "1100 is not" peace process.
"Netanyahu said today, to say no and yes to peace agreements. And it is very, very unfortunate," Erekat said.
Despite the controversy, the U.S. president, Barack Obama, emphasized the positive aspects of Rosh Hashanah message to the Israeli people.
"Although we can not know everything that the new year will bring, we know: The United States will continue to support Israel, because the relationship between our two nations is unbreakable," said Obama.
Political unrest seems to have dampened the national mood: A survey of vacation explains 88 percent of Israelis are in a good mood, and that Israel is a nice place to live. In a tradition of Rosh Hashanah, as a dip in the apples with honey for a sweet new year.