Looking Ahead to the Year, Back on History

The week's almost halfway over, but for our Jewish readers, the year's just beginning. Here's what you need to know today:

1. You Need to Know Tonight is Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish new year begins tonight and continues through tomorrow and Friday. Chabad of South East Morris County has a whole guide on the holiday, complete with the holiday's background, information on how to observe it, links for finding services and Rosh Hashanah stories. If you're looking to get up to speed on the high holiday, it's a good place to start.
2. You Need to Know to Get Reading: Morris Plains' book club will hold its first meeting of the fall today at 2 p.m., at the borough's . The book selection is "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese."
3. You Need to Know Your History: If you paid attention in your grade school social studies classes, you'll remember hearing the name Thomas Nast, the leading political cartoonist of the 19th century. The cartoons are well-known, but  "Macculloch Hall Presents: The Original Thomas Nast" presents another perspective on the artist's work, with everything from an original oil painting to a copper engraving plate. Stop in and check it out.
4. You Need to Know What our Bloggers Are Saying: The Morris Educational Foundation (click through for more info on that). Birder Margo D. Beller reflected on what drives those who "."
5. You Need to Know How You Can Become a Blogger: We're open to submissions from just about anyone with a connection to the Morris Township or Morris Plains communities, or anyone who wants to write about issues that hit home for our towns. Opinions, community group updates, photos, congratulations, random thoughts, essays ... politics, education, high school life, music, art, community, volunteerism ... if it connects with our hometowns, we're interested. Write to regional editor Louis C. Hochman at Louis@Patch.com, and we'll get you set up.