Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish New Year. It begins at sundown on the eve of the Hebrew month of Tishrei 1 and ends after nightfall on Tishrei 2. This is one of the holiest holidays of the year. Students are generally absent from school to observe the holiday.
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year and means “Day of Atonement.” It begins several minutes before sunset and concludes after nightfall the following day. Many who observe the holiday will attend synagogue and will abstain from eating and drinking, as well as other normal activities.
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year and means “Day of Atonement.” It begins several minutes before sunset and concludes after nightfall the following day. Many who observe the holiday will attend synagogue and will abstain from eating and drinking, as well as other normal activities.
Tu Bishvat occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat and is known as the New Year of the Trees.
The 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar is the day that marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees. This day marks the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle.
The spirited festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring). It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” as recorded in the Megillah (Book of Esther). Purim begins during the previous evening.
The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. It commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is observed by avoiding leaven and highlighted by the Seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus.
Lag B'Omer is celebrated on the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, which occurs on the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar.
Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. The Ten Commandments are read in synagogues, just as they were in the desert on Mt. Sinai over 3,300 years ago. It begins on Thursday evening, May 21, and continues through Saturday, May 23.
Tisha B'Av occurs on the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av. It commemorates a number of disastors in Jewish History, primarily the destruction of both Solomon's Temple by the Neo Babylonian Empire and the Second Temple by the Roman Empire in Jerusalem. It precedes the end of the three weeks between dire straits. This day is regarded as the saddest day in the Jewish calendar and may Jews fast for 25 hours.
