Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins tonight at sunset — which

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins tonight at sunset — which means, as with all good holidays, a large, festive meal. Challah, the traditional eggy, fluffy braided bread, takes on extra significance tonight. Instead of the usual straight braid, the loaf may be rolled into a circular shape to represent the cycle of the year, and it’s often studded with raisins and dipped in honey to symbolize hope for a sweet new year. Whether or not you’re a Jew, today is a great day to get your challah on, as local bakeries are cranking out more loaves, most with raisins. The challah will go fast, though, so consider calling to these places to reserve:Columbia City Bakery, 723-6023, has both plain and raisin challah for $4.25 Dahlia Bakery, 441-4540, has plain, sesame, and poppy challah (no raisins) for $5.00North Hill Bakery, 325-9007, has loaves with raisins, and some with sesame and poppy seeds, for $6.95Tall Grass Bakery, 706-991, has raisin challah for $6.50