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| Holidays and Festivals |
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Shabbat ~ The period from twilight on Friday to Saturday evening. It is marked by a rest from all physical labour and a time of spiritual renewal. |
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| Rosh Hashanah ~ Hebrew for New Year it occurs on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. It is a time used to look back at the mistakes of the past year and plan better changes for the new one. The Shofar is sounded in the synagogue as a call to repentance. No physical work is permitted and much of the day is spent in the synagogue where a Machzor is used. Apples and bread dipped in honey are eaten as a symbol for a sweet new year. |
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| Yom Kippur ~ The Day of Atonement is set aside as a day of fasting, prayer and repenting of sins from the previous year which occurs on the tenth day of Tishri. The fast lasts for 25 hours during which no food or drink, including water, may be consumed. There are a number of other restrictions as well on washing, wearing cosmetics or leather shoes. White clothing is worn to symbolize purity and the Shofar is sounded at the end of services. |
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Sukkot ~ An eight day festival at the time of the autumn harvest. Sukkot is also known as "Zeman Simkhateinu" meaning season of rejoicing. It recalls the 40 years that the Israelites wandered the desert. |
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| Simhat Torah ~ A single day celebration occuring at the end of Sukkot. It marks the completion and renewal of the yearly cycle of reading the Torah scroll. |
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| Hanukkah ~ The eight day winter holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Selucid Greeks. There was only enough oil left to light the menorah for one night. Through a miracle the oil lasted eight days which allowed a fresh supply of oil to be prepared. Traditions include the lighting of candles and eating fried foods because of the significance of oil. Gifts are not traditionally part of Hanukkah but gelt may be given. The playing of Dreidel is often associated with Hanukkah. |
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| Purim ~ The holiday on which the scroll of Esther is read to remember the triumph over Haman, who sought to exterminate all the Jews of the Persian Empire in the 6th Century BCE. Held on the 14 day of Adar and preceded by a three day minor fast. There are also readings from the Megillah. During the reading of Esther it is customary to boo and hiss when Haman is mentioned. The rest of the holiday is spent joyfully eating and drinking, this often includes plays, parodies and beauty contests. |
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| Pesah ~ The spring pilgrimage festival marking the Exodus from Egypt and the beginning of the harvest season in Israel. Also known as Passover it is marked by the removal of the 5 major grains (wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt) from the home and none are eaten. Only unleaven bread can be eaten in addition to other dietary restrictions of the holiday. Homes are throughly cleaned preceeding the holiday. On the first two nights of Pesah there is a special family meal called a seder. |
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| Shavuot ~ A two day festival celebrating the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai and the harvest of the first fruits brought to the Temple. Occuring 49 days after Pesah it is cutomary to study the Torah, eat at least one dairy meal and read from the Book of Ruth. |
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| Tisha B'Av ~ The ninth day of the month of Av, commemorates the tragedies which have befallen the Jewish people throughout history. It is a fast day on the anniversary of the destruction of the first and second Temple. Restrictions of this holiday are simular to those of Yom Kippur and many traditional mourning practises are observed. The Ark is draped in black cloth and readings are done from the Book of Lamentations. |
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Patriarchs and Pioneers