Shabbat Services
- Friday, 2009-2010 — Shabbat 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 — "Shabbat Services"
Youth Services | Gate Keepers
- First Saturday of the Month — "Gate Keepers"
- Saturday, 2009-2010 — 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
15 Shevat
Biblical in origin, a holiday that celebrates springtime renewal and growth. Traditions include eating fruit and
planting trees.
more info »»
Purim
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
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
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
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
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
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 »»
Tisha B'Av
9 Av
Day of fasting and mourning commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples, both of
which took place on the ninth of Av. The Book of Lamentations is read, and some conduct services sitting on the
floor.
more info »»
Rosh Hashanah
29 Elul -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
9 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
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
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
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
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 »»
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