Jewish Holidays

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah is a highly spiritual holiday when Jews gather in synagogue for personal and communal worship and to hear the sound of the shofar (ram’s horn) announce a new year. In the spirit of prayerful self-reflection, gratitude, and hope, we look forward to a year in which we are granted health and shalom (peace). Apples and honey are commonly eaten for a sweet new year.

Proper greetings: Happy New Year! (Shana Tova!)

2026: Friday, Sept. 11 (at sunset) - Sunday, Sept. 13
Please Note: The J will close at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11 and will be closed Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, in observance.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It’s marked by a sunset to sunset fast and synagogue worship focused on repentance for past sins, forgiveness of others who have sinned against us, gratitude for God’s mercy and a commitment to improved behavior in the future.

2026: Sunday, Sept. 20 (at sunset) - Monday, Sept. 21
Please Note: The J will close at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, and will be closed Monday, Sept. 21, in observance.

Sukkot

Feast of Tabernacles

Sukkot is a joyous historical and harvest holiday marked by the construction of temporary outdoor huts or sukkot (singular: sukkah) in which friends and families gather for meals and, more traditionally, to live in temporarily, reminding us of when the Hebrews wandered in the desert on their way to Canaan. These open and insecure structures cause us to consider our own vulnerability.

2026: Friday, Sept. 25 (at sunset) - Friday, Oct. 2
Please Note: The J will close at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, and will be closed Saturday, Sept. 26 in observance.

Shemini Atzeret &  Simchat Torah

Eighth Day of Assembly and Celebrating the Torah

For Simchat Torah, Jews gather in synagogue to read the last portion of the Torah and begin the new annual reading cycle, accompanied by parades and joyous dancing with the Torah. Did you know? Liberal Jews combine the observance of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, while traditional Jews observe them on two different days.

2026: Saturday, Oct. 3 (at sunset) - Sunday, Oct. 4

Hanukkah

The Festival of Lights

Hanukkah is a joyous holiday commemorating the ancient victory of a band of Jewish zealots (the Maccabees) over a much larger Syrian-Greek army. Jews regained their holiest site, the Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to Jewish worship.

Symbols of the holiday: Sufganiyot (doughnuts), latkes (potato pancakes), menorah (candelabra), dreidels (tops), and chocolate gelt (coins used as prizes for the dreidel game).

2026: Friday, Dec. 4 (at sunset) - Saturday, Dec. 12

Tu B'Shevat

New Year of The 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. We mark the 15th of Shevat by partaking in the "seven species" that are native to Israel. Symbols of the holiday: The Seven Species of the land of Israel as they appear in the bible: wheat, barley, grape, fig, date, olive, and pomegranate

2027: Friday, Jan. 22 (at sunset) – Saturday, Jan. 23

Purim

A Joyous Holiday

Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from destruction that was planned by an evil courtier. The story is recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther) and is just as often told or acted out as a raucous parody. On Purim, nothing is as it seems, and so we disguise ourselves with costumes and masks.

2027: Monday, March 22 - Tuesday, March 23

Passover

From Slavery to Freedom; The Feast of Unleavened Bread

Passover celebrates the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their passage from slavery to freedom. On the first night of Passover, (first two nights for traditional Jews outside of Israel) Jews gather in homes to tell that story during a ceremonial meal called a seder (say-der)

2027: Wednesday, April 21 (at sunset) - Thursday, April 29
Please Note: The J will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, and will be closed Thursday, April 22 in observance.

Yom HaShoah

Holocaust Memorial Day

Yom HaShoah V’Hagevurah honors those who perished during the Holocaust and the acts of bravery carried out by people faced with very few choices. Our community gathers each year for a memorial service in the White Theatre. All other activity at the J stops during this service. The "tone" of the day should be respectful and somber; you will not see any lighthearted or humorous programming at The J.

2027: Monday, May 3 (at sunset) - Tuesday, May 4
Please Note: The J will be closed Sunday, May 2 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. for services in observance.

Yom HaZikaron

Israeli Memorial Day

Yom HaZikaron is a day when Israelis mourn fellow countrymen and women who were victims of war and terrorism. The commemoration begins at sunset the preceding evening with the blare of a siren that is heard all over the country and lasts one minute. All activity stops (including driving, which stops highways) and citizens stand in respectful silence.

2027: Monday, May 10 (at sunset) - Tuesday, May 11

Yom Ha'atzmaut

Israeli Independence Day

Yom Ha'atzmaut is a joyous celebration of Israel’s nationhood. Significantly, it begins when the sun sets on Yom HaZikaron, reminding Israelis that the life of their nation depends on the sacrifices of soldiers and ordinary citizens.

2027: Tuesday, May 11 (at sunset) - Wednesday, May 12

Lag B'Omer

33rd Day of Counting The Omer

As described, the days between the second day of Passover and Shavuot represent a 50-day period of semi-mourning. However, on the 33rd day—Lag B’omer—there is a break in the mourning! It’s a great day to get married, and Israelis customarily enjoy picnics and bonfires.

2027: Monday, May 24 (at sunset) - Tuesday, May 25

Shavuot

The Giving of The Torah

Shavuot commemorates the Jews receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai and is also a spring harvest festival. It is customary to stay up for all of Erev ("the eve of") Shavuot to study Torah as a community.

2027: Thursday, June 10 (at sunset) - Friday, June 11
The J will close at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, and will be closed Friday, June 11 in observance.

Tisha B'Av

Remembering Past Calamities

Tisha B’Av means the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av. Tradition associates many tragedies with this day including the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem, the expulsion of Jews from different countries in Europe, and approval of the Final Solution, the Nazi plan for systemic mass murder of Jews during the Holocaust. Did you know? This is a fasting day for traditionally observant Jews.

2027: Sunday, Aug. 11 (at sunset) - Monday, Aug. 12

Selichot

Prayers for forgiveness in preparation of the High Holidays. In Hebrew, s’lichot means forgiveness. Traditionally, our Jewish community gathers on the Saturday night prior to the Jewish new year, to offer prayers and participate in meditations focusing on past deeds, the changes we seek to make, and God’s mercy.

2027: Saturday, Sept. 25