Casting off sins, the green way

By Michael Paulson, Globe Staff

The Jewish New Year begins at sundown Monday with the start of Rosh HaShanah, and on Tuesday, many Jews will observe the ritual of Tashlich, throwing bread crumbs into a body of water as a symbolic casting away of sins after the recitation of prayers of repentance.

At the Rashi School, a Reform Jewish day school in Newton, pupils yesterday walked to the banks of the Charles River to practice the ceremony as part of their preparation for the upcoming holiday. But there was a contemporary twist. An explanation from the school's spokeswoman, Linda Silverstein:

"This year, out of concern for wildlife who may become sick by bread thrown into the water, for broader environmental concerns, and not wanting to waste food in a time of widespread poverty, Rashi students will be throwing biodegradable cornstarch peanuts into the river for Tashlich.''

My colleague, Globe photographer Joanne Rathe, was there, and produced a video report about the event: