Shavuot commemorates the Israelites receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai seven weeks after leaving Egypt. An ancient pilgrimage holiday, Shavuot is also a celebration of the spring harvest. Traditional communities celebrate Shavuot for two days; liberal communities for one day.
Labor Day recognizes the contributions of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It marks the unofficial end of summer.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a joyful and introspective occasion. It is the start of the High Holiday period — also known as the Days of Awe — ending with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.Among Rosh Hashanah traditions, we hear the sounding...
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day on the Jewish calendar. We devote the day to introspection and repentance. Many people fast on Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur ends with the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn).
The festive holiday of Sukkot is named for the booths or huts (sukkot in Hebrew) in which, according to Jewish tradition, the Israelites dwelt during their forty years of wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. Sukkot starts the evening of September 29...
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated together on one day by Reform Jews and over two days by Conservative Jews. We celebrate the completion of the annual cycle of reading the Torah. The holiday begins the evening of October 6. Read more about Shemini...
Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight days. We light hanukkiyot (Hanukkah menorahs), spin dreidels, eat latkes, and often celebrate with family and friends. Explore more about Hanukkah here. Enjoy JGN’s Hanukkah Discovery Kit. Art by Deborah Zemke