Rosh Hashanah

Rosh HaShanah ("Head of The Year"), is the Jewish new year. Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration that begins on the first day of Tishrei and marks the beginning of the Jewish high holy days.

Erev Rosh Hashanah is September 22nd, and Rosh Hashanah II is September 24th

Erev Yom Kippur

Like all Jewish days, the day actually begins at night. Erev Yom Kippur is the beginning of Yom Kippur. On Erev Yom Kippur, Jews recite the Kol Nidre service.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”), is debatably the holiest day of the Jewish year. It's a fast day. Most of the day is typically spent in synagogue, with themes of prayer focusing on atonement, forgiveness, and reflection.

Sukkot

Sukkot, a harvest festival, is one of three pilgrimmage festivals. The holiday is commemorated by building temporary structures, sukkahs, where Jews are commanded to eat and sleep. The holiday lasts seven days in Israel and eight in the disapora. The first day (and second day in the disapora) is a Shabbat-like holiday which forbids work. On Sukkot, we shake the lulav and etrog.

Erev Sukkot begins on October 6th

Shimini Atzeret

Shimini Atzeret celebrates the conclusion of Sukkot. The seventh day of Sukkot in Israel (and eighth in the disaspora) is a Shabbat-like holiday where work is forbidden.

Simchat Torah

The Torah is read in a year long cycle. Simchat Torah marks the conclusion of one cycle, and the beginning of reading the next cycle. On Simchat Torah, Jews finish reading the book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book, and then begin to again read the book of Genesis, the first book.

Sigd

Sigd, a holiday of the Ethiopian Jewish community (Beta Israel), celebrates the acceptance of the Torah. Today, members of the community mark the holiday with a fast, reccitation of psalms, and gathering in Jerusalem. The fast is broken with celebration, dancing, and general revelry.

Chanukah

Chanukah is commonly known as the festival of lights. The hannukiah is lit every night, representing the oil that burned for eight days. Chanukah celebrates the victory of the Macabees. Normally falling around Christmas, Chanuakah has become a major gift giving holiday for American Jews.

Assarat B’Tevet

Assarat B'tevet is a minor fast day marking the mourning of the first siege of Jerusalem, which resulted in the destruction of the first temple.

Shabbat Shira

Shabbat Shira includes the Torah portion that introudces the song of the sea (Mi Chamocha). Many congregations observe this shabbat in particular with music, celebrating Moses and Miriam leading the Israelites across the Sea of Reeds and out of Egypt.

Tu B’Sh’vat

Tu B'sh'vat is the Jewish "Birthday for the Trees". In modern times, it is often used to spread awareness regarding enviornmental issues. Some communities partake in a Tu B'sh'vat sedar.

Shabbat Shekalim

This is the shabbat that leads into the month of Adar. On this shabbat we celebrate with theme of communal responsiblity as we prepare to celebrate Purim and Passover.

Erev Purim Ta’anit Esther

The Fast of Esther commemorates one of two fasts: A three day, three night fast the Jewish community of Shushan participated in before Esther approached King Achashverus, or a a fast presumed to have happend on the 13th Adar when the Jews fought against their enemies.

Purim

Purim celebrates the story of Queen Esther and the fall of Haman. Ways to observe the day include listening to a reading of Megillah (the Book of Esther), sending friends and family mishlacht manot (food and gifts), giving tzedahkah (charity), and eating a festive meal. Many celebrations include costumes and parties. The holiday, for better or worse, is associated with drinking.

Erev Pesach

Erev Pesach marks the beginning of Passover. We host the first seder on this night, retelling the story of the Israelites’ escape from bondage.

Pesach

Passover celebrates the Israelites liberation from slavery. Passover is celebrated for seven days in Israel and eight days in the diaspora. The name "Passover" comes from the miracle in which G-d "passed over" the houses of the Israelites during the 10th plague. In Israel, Passover is observed with a seder on the first night. In the diaspora, a seder is held on the first two nights. Additionally, Jews remove chametz (leavened bread) from their diets, reminding of their hastily departure from Egypt in which bread didn't have time to bake.

Yom HaShoah

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) commemorates the six million Jews murdered by the Nazi's during the Holocaust. In Israel, flags are flown at half mast and places of public entertainment are closed. An air raid siren rings out throughout the country at 10:00am and all work stops, giving a moment for reflection. In Poland, The March of the Living is held annually on Yom HaShoah.

Yom HaZikaron

Yom HaZikaron is Israel's memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Unlike the U.S., the day is somber. Scheduling Yom HaZikaron the day before Yom Ha'Atzma'ut is intended to remind of the price paid for independance.

Yom Ha'Atzma'ut

Yom Ha'Atzma'ut is Israel's Independence day, marking the day independence was declared in 1948 and the modern Jewish state was created.

Lag B’omer

Lag B'omer marks the 33rd day of counting the omer. The omer are the 50 days between Passover and Shavuot. Some men grow beards during the omer.

Shavuot

Shavuot celebrates recieving the Torah at Mount Sinai. Shavuot is one of three pilgrimmage festivals, and for some is celebrated with an all-night study session. In modern times, Shavuot, is often celebrated by eating cheesecake.

Tzom Tammuz

The 17th of Tammuz is a minor fast day which marks the beginning of the three week mouring period leading up to Tisha B'av. Tzom Tammuz commemorates the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem leading up to the destruction of the second temple.

Tisha B’Av

Tisha B'Av is a Jewish fast day that commemorates the destruction of the temple. It is observed with the reading of Megillat Eicha, the agonizing retelling of the siege of Jerusalem. It is thought of as one of the saddest days of the Jewish year.

Tu B’Av

Tu B'Av is a holiday of love and joy, analagous with Valentine's Day. According to the Mishna, Tu B'Av was a joyous holiday in the days of the Temple, marking the beginning of the grape harvest.