Jewish Holidays

	Guide to the Jewish Calendar
	Rosh Hashanah Celebrate the Jewish New Year with the sweet taste of apples and honey and the blowing of the shofar! Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the High Holidays. September 7 & 8, 2002
	Yom Kippur The Day of Atonement. Adult Jews are required to fast as we look back on our sins and ask for forgiveness. At sundown the feast begins! September 16, 2002
	Sukkot The Harvest Festival. We build sukkot, decorating them with seasonal fruits to show thanks and then celebrate by eating all meals in our sukkah. September 21 - 27, 2002
	Simchat Torah Upon completion of reading the Torah it is customary to dance and sing around the synagogue while carrying the Torah. September 28 & 29, 2002
	Chanukah The Festival of Lights last for eight nights and commemorates a Jewish victory against oppression. Read all about latkes, dreidels, maccabees, and menorahs! November 30 - December 7, 2002
	Tu B'Shevat We thank God for the gifts of creation, especially foods that grow on trees and the beauties of nature we enjoy. Many people plant trees in Israel to celebrate. January 18, 2003
	Purim Costumes, groggers, and hammantaschen are just a few reasons why Purim is such a popular holiday. You can read the whole Megillah online! March 18, 2003
	Passover We remember the bravery of Moses as he guided the Jews out of bondage in Egypt by partaking in the Seder and eating matzah instead of bread. April 17 - 24, 2003
	Yom HaShoah Every year, on Yom HaShoah, we take time to remember all those who were killed by the Nazis. April 29, 2003
	Yom Ha'Atzmaut Israel Independence Day. As we are thankful for Israel's independence, we carry with us the memory of those who helped make it possible. May 7, 2003
	Lag B'Omer Lag B'Omer is the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer. It is usually celebrated with picnics, bonfires, and the first haircut for three year old children. May 20, 2003
	Shavuot Shavuot, a two-day holiday, marks the giving of the Torah by God to the entire Jewish people on Mount Sinai more than 3,000 years ago. June 6 & 7, 2003
	Tisha B'Av We remember the date of the destruction of both the First and Second Temples, with the subsequent loss of national sovereignty and exile from the Holy Land. August 7, 2003
	Rosh Chodesh The word Rosh means "head," (In other words, "beginning.) Rosh Chodesh is the night when the New moon can first be seen and when the New Month begins.
	Shabbat The Day of Rest arrives every seventh day to commemorate God's rest after having created the world. Shabbat starts on Friday night and ends Saturday night.