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Simchat Torah, Hebrew for rejoicing in the Law

Simchat Torah, Hebrew for “rejoicing in the Law”, celebrates the completion of the annual reading of the Torah. Simchat Torah is a joyous festival, in which we affirm our view of the Torah as a tree of life and demonstrate a living example of never-ending, lifelong study. Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue seven times. During the Torah service, the concluding section of Deuteronomy is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, or B’reishit as it is called in Hebrew, is read.

Pesach, known as Passover in English

Pesach, known as Passover in English, is a major Jewish spring festival, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The ritual observance of this holiday centers around a special home service called the seder (meaning “order”) and a festive meal; the prohibition of chametz (leaven); and the eating of matzah (an unleavened bread). On the eve of the fifteenth day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, we read from a book called the hagaddah, meaning “telling,” which contains the order of prayers, rituals, readings and songs for the Pesach seder. The Pesach seder is the only ritual meal in the Jewish calendar year for which such an order is prescribed, hence its name.

Preparing for the Yamim Noraim

Preparing for the Yamim Noraim

As fall approaches, Jews throughout the world prepare for a unique ten-day period of prayer, self-examination, fasting, and repentance. It is time for the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, the High Holy Days: Rosh HaShanah andYom Kippur. These holidays are preceded by a month of reflection: the Hebrew month of Elul. During this time, morning worship includes special penitential prayers and concludes with the blowing of the shofar as a reminder of the approaching season of atonement. In some communities, this is also a time to visit the graves of loved ones.

Each holiday begins and ends at sundown on the days listed.

NOTE: Each holiday begins and ends at sundown on the days listed.
JEWISH YEAR 5774 5775

SECULAR YEAR
Sept 2013–
Sept 2014
Sept 2014–
Sept 2015
S’LICHOT SERVICE Sat
AUG 31 		Sat
SEP 20
ROSH HASHANAH Wed-Fri
SEP 4-6		 Wed–Fri
SEP 24-26
YOM KIPPUR Fri-Sat
SEP 13-14		 Fri–Sat
OCT 3-4
SUKKOT Wed-Wed
SEP 18-25 		Wed–Wed
OCT 8-15
ATZERET –
SIMCHAT TORAH		 Wed-Thurs
SEP 25-26 		Wed–Thurs
OCT 16-17
CHANUKAH Wed–Thurs
NOV 27-DEC 5

Tues-Wed
DEC 16-24
TU BISH’VAT Wed–Thurs
JAN 15-16		 Tues-Wed
FEB 3-4
PURIM Sat–Sun
MAR 15-16
 Wed-Thurs
MAR 4-5
PESACH Mon–Mon
APR 14-21
 Fri-Fri
APR 3-10
YOM HASHOAH Sat–Sun
APR 26-27		 Wed-Thurs
APR 15-16
YOM HAZIKARON Sun-Mon
MAY 4-5
 Tues-Wed
APR 21-22
YOM HAATZMA-UT Mon-Tues
MAY 5-6
 Wed-Thurs
APR 22-23
LAG BA’OMER Sat–Sun
MAY 17-18		 Wed-Thurs
MAY 6-7
SHAVUOT Sat-Sun
JUN 3-4		 Sat-Sun
MAY 23-24
TISHAH B’AV Tues-Wed
AUG 5-6 		Sat-Sun
JUL 25-26

Chanukah, meaning dedication in Hebrew

Chanukah, meaning “dedication” in Hebrew, refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Macabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and “re-dedication” of the Temple in Jerusalem. The modern home celebration of Chanukah centers around the lighting of the chanukiah, a special menorah for Chanukah; unique foods, latkes and jelly doughnuts; and special songs and games.

Shavuot is a Hebrew word meaning weeks

Shavuot is a Hebrew word meaning “weeks” and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Shavuot, like so many other Jewish holidays began as an ancient agricultural festival, marking the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest. Shavuot was distinguished in ancient times by bringing crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem.

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