Jewish Holidays
Holidays begin at sundown the previous day. For more jewish resources visit www.myjewishlearning.com.
|
SHABBAT Begins Friday at sundown and ends sundown on Saturday every week. Shabbat (the Sabbath or Day of Rest) is observed each week from sundown Friday until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night (Havdalah). To sanctify the Sabbath, blessings over candles, wine and a special braided egg bread, challah, are shared on Friday evening. Shabbat is a day of rest and spiritual enrichment in synagogue or at home and is eagerly awaited throughout the week. By “unplugging” from work and concerns, time is devoted to relaxation and how to live a good life. Shabbat provides renewal through meditation, special meals, and walks. It is a joyful evening and day spent with family and friends before the demands of the next week begin. Shabbat is welcomed every Friday in the Early Childhood Centers and the JCC building, and all families with young children are invited to our PJ Library Shabbat Club. |
 |
|
|
Traditional Greeting |
|
|
PASSOVER | APRIL 12-20, 2025 Begins sundown on Sat. April 12 through sunset on Sun. April 20. The JCC closes at 3:00pm on April 12, and remains closed on Sun. April 13 The JCC closes at 3:00pm on Fri. April 18, and remains closed on Sat. April 19 Passover is truly a celebration of freedom from slavery in Egypt. Passover (in Hebrew, Pesach) is a one week celebration of spring, birth and rebirth, of a journey from slavery to freedom, and of taking responsibility for yourself, the community and the world. It commemorates the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. Pesach means “to pass over” which refers to the plague of the killing the first born by the Angel of Death passing over the homes of the Jews. Passover is one of the most universally observed Jewish holidays, with family and friends rejoicing around the seder table. At Passover we remember “Let all who are hungry come and eat” and “Let all who are in need, come and share the Passover meal.” The Passover Seder reminds us that we know firsthand the suffering and degradation faced by those who are poor. We know the sharp pain of hunger, the slavery that is poverty and persecution. And we also know that this memory, this shared experience, compels us to act. The first two and last two days are observed as holy. |
 |
|
|
Traditional Greeting |
|
YOM HASHOAH | APRIL 23-24, 2025 Wed. April 23 (at sunset) – Thu. April 24 Holocaust Remembrance Day memorializes the six million Jews who perished as victims of the Nazis in World War II with community gatherings, prayers, songs and survivor testimonies. Shoah, which means catastrophe or utter destruction in Hebrew; also is known as the Holocaust. Yom HaShoah reminds us of the horrors that Jews and other persecuted groups faced: forced labor, starvation, humiliation and torture which often resulted in death. In Israel, for 24 hours (from sunset to sunset) all places of public entertainment (theaters, cinemas, nightclubs, pubs, etc.) are closed. The most noticeable feature of the day is the sound of a siren that is heard throughout the country twice, during which the entire nation observes a two-minute “standstill” of all traffic and daily activities. The first siren marks the beginning of Memorial Day at 8 p.m., and the second is at 11 a.m., before the public recitation of prayers in the military cemeteries. All radio and television stations broadcast programs portraying the lives and heroic deeds of fallen soldiers. Most of the broadcasting time is devoted to Israeli songs that convey the mood of the day. Many commemorate Yom HaShoah by lighting yellow candles to keep alive the memories of the victims. Most synagogues and Jewish communities gather together to mark the day through worship and the stories from survivors.
YOM HAZIKARON | APRIL 29-30, 2025 Tue. April 29 (at sunset) – Wed. April 30 Israel’s Memorial Day recalls the sacrifices of soldiers who gave their lives in defense of the Jewish state and memorializes victims of terror. Celebrated annually before Israeli Independence Day, the juxtaposition serves as a tribute and reminder that freedom and safety enjoyed daily in Israel is only possible because of the individual heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our people and our shared dreams. As on Yom HaShoah, the entire country stops again with the siren, followed by a recitation of prayers in the military cemeteries. No segment of Israel’s population has been spared, so public ceremonies, visiting graves of loved ones and leaning on each other for strength, hope and willingness to thrive and persevere ensures that their lives were not lost in vain.
YOM HAATZMAUT | APRIL 30-MAY 1, 2025 Wed. April 30 (at sunset) - Thu. May 1 Israel Independence Day celebrates the founding of the modern state of Israel in May 1948, marked by celebrations including parades, concerts, barbeques, outdoor festivities and Israel-themed parties. Moments after the sun sets on Yom HaZikaron, the flag is raised from half-staff to full height and an emotional switch from tears to joy is flipped. Jewish communities around the world join in solidarity with Israel and each other. Yom Ha’atzmaut in Israel is always preceded by Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for the fallen soldiers. The message of linking these two days is: Israelis owe their independence — the very existence of the state — to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for it.
|
 |
|
SHAVUOT | JUNE 1-JUNE 3, 2025 Shavuot combines two major religious observances. First is the grain harvest of the early summer. Second is the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai seven weeks after the exodus from Egypt. The first determines the ritual for the holiday, which was one of the three pilgrimage festivals of ancient Israel, when males were commanded to appear before God in Jerusalem, bringing offerings of the first fruits of their harvest. The second determines the significance of the holiday of entering into a covenant between God and Israel.
The Torah commands the seven-week Counting of the Omer, beginning on the second day of Passover, to be immediately followed by Shavuot. This counting of days and weeks expresses the anticipation and desire for the giving of the Torah. On Passover, the people of Israel were freed from their enslavement to Pharaoh; on Shavuot, they were given the Torah and became a nation committed to serving God.[ Today we celebrate by going to synagogue to hear the Ten Commandments, enjoying festive meals consisting of dairy foods, staying up all night to learn and read the Book of Ruth.
The most popular explanation as to why we eat dairy comes from when we were receiving the Torah on Mt. Sinai we were pure and innocent like newborns and babies survive on milk so we enjoy all dairy treats. Israel is also known as the Land of Milk and Honey.
|
 |
|
ROSH HASHANAH | SEPTEMBER 22-24, 2025 Rosh Hashanah, which marks the beginning of the Jewish year, is both a festive and solemn holiday and a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year to come. While celebrating the birthday of the world, many people attend high holiday services at synagogue. The shofar (ram’s horn) is sounded 100 times during a traditional service. It is customary to eat apples dipped in honey and other sweet treats in the hopes of having a sweet new year. |
 |
|
|
Traditional Greeting |
|
YOM KIPPUR | OCTOBER 1-2, 2025 Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Occurring 10 days after Rosh Hashanah, it is a day dedicated to fasting, reflection, prayer, and repentance. Traditionally it is believed to be the last opportunity to seek forgiveness from those we have wronged during the past year. Ending at sundown, it is traditional for family and friends to share a break-the-fast meal. |
 |
|
|
Traditional Greeting |
|
SUKKOT | OCTOBER 6-13, 2025 Sukkot is the harvest festival and a time to recall the Israelites journey from slavery to the Promised Land. On the journey, they lived in sukkot (huts). Today, we commemorate this by building three sided temporary booths with no real roofs so the stars and sky can be seen, and no real doors. They are decorated with branches, fruits and vegetables of the harvest. During the holiday, it is an honor to share a meal, study, play and sometimes sleep in a sukkah. The JCC Sukkah will be built in the new Presidents’ Courtyard with many decorations created by children in the JCC’s programs. Members are invited to visit the sukkah, enjoy the outdoors, and participate in family holiday events. |
 |
|
|
Traditional Greeting |
|
SHEMINI ATZERET/SIMCHAT TORAH | OCT 14-15, 2025 Shemini Atzeret occurs on the day after the seven-day festival of Sukkot and is generally translated as “the eighth day of assembly.” The Talmud declares the eighth day as a separate holiday dedicated to the love of God. In ancient Israel, Shemini Atzeret coincided with the beginning of the rainy season. Each year in the synagogue, the Torah is read from start to finish. Simchat Torah (rejoicing in the Torah) marks the joyous completion of the annual cycle of reading the Torah - the day we finish reading the last section and begin reading the first section over again. In the synagogue, adults and children parade with the Torah scrolls and celebrate together. |
 |
|
|
Traditional Greeting |
|
CHANUKAH | DECEMBER 14-22, 2025 Join us in the Chase Family Gallery to light the Chanukah candles
The eight-day Festival of Lights commemorates the rededication of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. This followed the success of the Maccabees overcoming the restrictions to practice Judaism. Each night in homes all over the world, one more candle is added to the menorah (candelabra), celebrating the miracle of the oil, which lasted for eight days instead of only one. It is traditional to enjoy foods fried in oil such as potato latkes (pancakes) or sufganiot (doughnuts) and give small gifts to the children. The modern version of giving instead of receiving gifts is an annual cause to support at the JCC. Toys, warm clothing, pajamas and more are collected and donated to agencies in our community who serve those in need. |
 |
|
|
Traditional Greeting
|
|
TU B'SHEVAT | FEBRUARY 1-2, 2026 Tu B’Shevat is known as the New Year of the Trees or the Trees’ Birthday. It is the beginning of spring in Israel with the first almond blossoms opening. It is traditional to eat fruits from Israel called the 7 species: figs, dates, grapes, olives, pomegranates and wheat. It is also a time to eat new fruits and to say the Shehechiyanu (a prayer for experiencing something new). The Tu B’Shevat seder is a celebration of our relationship with nature and with fruit trees in particular, and a time for reflection. Many enjoy a Tu B’Shevat seder which is structured like a Passover Seder. The Seder is divided into four sections. Each section includes eating specific fruits with 4 cups of wine symbolizing the seasons, and different aspects of the trees and our own lives. |
 |
|
|
Traditional Greeting |
|
PURIM | MARCH 2-3, 2025 This joyous holiday celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people from the wicked tyrant Haman by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai. The mitzvah of giving, mishloach manot, comes from the Book of Esther. There are several traditions that take place on Purim: we give gifts to the poor, we read the megillah (the Purim story), we eat a festive meal (seudah) and we give mishloah manot (gifts of food) to our friends and enjoy hamantashen, triangle shaped filled cookies, named for the villainous Haman. Purim merry making includes carnivals and costumes. |
 |
|
|
Traditional Greeting |
< Program Guide Index | Register Here >
