HOLIDAYS 2020-2021
Everything You Need To Know
ROSH HASHANAH
September 18 - 20
The Jewish New Year is observed for a single day and prohibits work. Many Jews spend this day attending synagogue. The shofar represents a call to repentance and a reminder to Jews about God. We eat: Apples and honey represents a sweet new year. Round challah represents the cycle of our lives. Karti (leek) represents friends and community. Silka (beets) represents freedom. Gezer represents positive judgment. Karaa (squash) represents count our blessings. Fish represents fertility and growth. Dates represents peace and meaningful relationships. Pomegranate represents good deeds. Head of a fish represents leadership. Rubiya (beans) represents prosperity and sharing.
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YOM KIPPUR
September 27 - 28
Yom Kippur also known as the Day of Atonement is the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar. It is a day to reflect on the past year and ask God for forgiveness for any sins. On this day, Jews do not work or go to school. You also fast for 25 hours, wear white and do not wear makeup, leather shoes, or perfume. Most people on this day spend the day in synagogue.
SUKKOT
October 2 - 9
Sukkot is a weeklong Jewish holiday. We celebrate the gathering of the harvest and commemorate the miraculous protection God provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt.
On this holiday we build a sukkah which is three walled hut with branches on top. We are required to eat every meal in the sukkah for eight days and some people also sleep in it.
HANUKKAH
December 10 - 18
Hanukah is known as the festival of lights and is celebrated by a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and fried foods that lasts eight nights. We celebrate the rededication of the Holy Temple. Some customary foods include latke and jelly filled sufganya (doughnut). We also play with a dreidel for chocolate coins.
PURIM
February 26 - 27
During Purim we commemorate the salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian empire from Haman's plan to destroy, annihilate, and kill the Jews. On this day we just let loose. We dress up in costumes and eat/make the traditional food hamantaschen (pictured above).
PASSOVER
March 27 - April 3
Passover also known as Pesach, commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Passover is observed by avoiding leaven. On the first night of Passover we have a seder in which we eat matzah, bitter herbs to commemorate the bitter slavery, drink four cups of wine to celebrate our newfound freedom, and recite the Haggahad which is the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
SHAVUOT
May 16 - 17
Shavuot translates to the word weeks. We celebrate the completion of the seven week counting period between Passover and Shavuot. God was given the Torah on Mount Sinai on Shavuot over 3,000 years ago. So every year we renew our acceptance of Gods gift.