The Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah, occurs on the first day of the month of Tishrei (September and October in the Gregorian calendar), the first month of the year according to the Jewish calendar. Throughout the long history of the Jewish people Rosh Hashanah has been regarded as one of the most sacred and profound festivals, celebrating the anniversary of creation. It is on this day that God opens the Book of Life and observes his creatures, deciding their fate for the coming year. Rosh Hashanah starts the Ten Days of Repentance, during which every Jew examines her/his deeds, repents, and makes efforts to improve her-/himself. These Ten Days culminate on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the day upon which God "seals" the Book of Life.