:: Holiday List Page ::

 

Shabbat Services

  • Friday, 2008 — Shabbot Service times 7:30pm
  • First Friday of the Month — "Messiah's Yizkor (Memorial) Service"
  • Second Friday of the Month — "Torah Service"
  • Rest of the Month — "Shabbot Services"

Youth Services | Gate Keepers

  • First Saturday of the Month — "Gate Keepers"
  • Saturday, 2008 — Service times 1:00-5:00 pm
  • Other Activities — "To Be Announced"

Monthly Pitch In Dinner

It is the first Saturday of every month at 5:00 pm. Bring a dish of food and join us. more info »»

Tu B'Shevat

Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / 15 Shevat
Biblical in origin, a holiday that celebrates springtime renewal and growth. Traditions include eating fruit and planting trees.
more info »»

Purim

Friday, March 21, 2008 / 14 Adar
Joyous holiday commemorating the rescue of the Jews by Queen Esther and her uncle Mordecai from the evil Haman. The story is read aloud and when Haman is mentioned in the Megillah (scroll) of Esther, people scream and turn groggers (noisemakers) to drown out his name. Traditions include parties, dances, mishloach manot (gift- giving), and eating hamentashen (three-cornered, fruit-filled pastries). Some also fast on the day before Purim to remember the three-day fast Esther requested of the Jews of Persia.
more info »»

Pesach

Sunday, April 20, 2008 - Sunday, April  27, 2008 / 15-22 Nissan
Celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. At the seder (service and festive meal), the Haggadah (collection of texts and commentaries on the Exodus) is read and symbolic foods are eaten. In remembrance of the departure of the Israelites, who could not wait for their bread to rise before fleeing, matzah ( unleavened bread) is eaten for the eight days of Passover.
more info »»

Yom HaShoah

Friday, May 2, 2008 / 27 Nissan
Day chosen by the Israeli Knesset in 1951 to mourn the millions killed in the Holocaust. Often commemorated with speeches by survivors and the reading of names. In Israel, a siren's blast allows collective remembrance in a moment of silence.
more info »»

Yom HaZikaron

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 / 4 Iyar
Day of remembrance for all who sacrificed themselves for the state of Israel. Public observances include lighting of yahrzeit (memorial) candles, visiting graves and reciting psalms. In Israel, sirens blast once in the morning and then in the evening to begin Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day.
more info & links

Yom HaAtzma'ut

Thursday, May 8, 2008 / 5 Iyar
On May 14, 1948 Israel was declared an independent state. Many Jews world-wide celebrate with parades, festivals and donations to Jewish charities.
more info »»

Shavuot

Monday, June 9, 2008 - Tuesday, June  10, 2008 / 6-7 Sivan
Celebrated the day after Sefirat HaOmer ends to commemorate the giving of the Torah at Sinai and the spring harvest. Traditionally, Jews read the Ten Commandments and the Book of Ruth and eat dairy products. Religious school confirmation often takes place at this time.
more info »»

Rosh Hashanah

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - Wednesday, October  1, 2008 / 1-2 Tishrei
Festive celebration during which individuals contemplate past, present, and future actions. Traditional foods include round challah and apples with honey, symbolizing wholeness and sweetness for the new year. Commences the Ten Days of Awe, which culminate on Yom Kippur.
more info »»

Yom Kippur

Thursday, October 9, 2008 / 10 Tishrei
One of the holiest days of the Jewish year. Through fasting and prayer, Jews reflect upon their relationships with other people and with God, atoning for wrongdoings and failures to take right action. Ends at sunset with a blast of the shofar (ram's horn).
more info »»

Sukkot

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - Monday, October  20, 2008 / 15-21 Tishrei
Seven-day holiday commemorating the fulfillment of God's promise to bring the Israelites to the Promised Land after forty years of wandering. Many people build a sukkah (booth), a temporary structure with a roof made of branches, modeled after the huts constructed in the desert. Also celebrated with the shaking of the lulav (assemblage of palm, willow and myrtle branches) and etrog (a lemon-like fruit).
more info »»

Shemini Atzeret

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 / 22 Tishrei
Celebrated the day after Sukkot and thus sometimes considered an extension of that holiday. Marks the first time tefillat geshem (prayer for rain) is recited during services, a practice that continues until Pesach.
more info »»

Simchat Torah

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 / 23 Tishrei
Celebrates the completion of the annual Torah-reading cycle. After finishing the last sentence of the chapter Devarim (Deuteronomy), the Torah is joyously paraded seven times around the synagogue. The new cycle begins immediately with a reading from Bereshit (Genesis).
more info »»

Hannukah

Monday, December 22, 2008 - Monday, December  29, 2008 / 25 Kislev - 2 Tevet
Eight-day holiday commemorating the Jewish victory over the Syrians and the miracle of the rededication of the Temple, when oil meant to last for one day burned for eight. Celebrated by lighting candles in a chanukiah (a nine-branched candelabrum), eating latkes (potato pancakes), playing with dreidels (spinning tops) and giving money or gifts.
more info »»