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Festivals and Holidays

Jewish holidays offer a gateway for learning for people of all ages. They provide the opportunity for us to read classic Jewish texts, study our history, and gain a greater understanding about Jewish beliefs and values. By celebrating these special moments, we discover about our rich history through stories of slavery and freedom, sin and renewal, good and evil, work and rest.

Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, celebrates a miracle: In 165 BCE, the Maccabees led a band of Jews in battle against invading pagans who had desecrated the Temple. They found only one day's supply of oil for the Temple's eternal light. Miraculously, the supply lasted eight days, until more was procured. A menorah is lit for eight nights. Dreidel games, latkes and other fried foods are typically served.

Lag B'Omer or the 33rd Day of the Counting of the Omer, is a day of tribute to Jewish martyrs and mystics.

Pesach ­or Passover is named after the "passing over" by the almighty of the Israelites' homes during the tenth plague. The eight-day festival celebrates the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. The Haggadah (holiday book), recounts the story and is read at the Seder (ritual meal). Matzah (unleavened bread) commemorates the haste in which the former slaves fled Egypt.

Purim recalls the rescue of Jews from annihilation in ancient Persia, as recorded in the Book of Esther. Haman cast lots to choose the day for his plot, which was failed by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai. Purim is celebrated with carnivals, costumes, greggars (noisemakers), and the reading of the Megillah of Esther. Hamantashen (three-cornered pastries) is the traditional food. Mishloach manot (gift packages) are exchanged and gifts are given to the poor.

Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year, begins a ten-day period of repentance and prayer that ends on Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated at services and with family meals and apples dipped in honey in hope for a sweet year to come.

Shabbat commemorates God's day of rest on the seventh day of Creation. Shabbat is observed weekly, from sundown Friday, until after dark on Saturday.

Shavuot is the Festival of Weeks. This holiday marks the end of the counting of the Omer, which began on the second night of Passover and recalls Moses' receiving of the Torah and the Ten Commandments. Many Beth Shalom members participate in all night study of the Torah to mark this holiday.

Shemini Atzeret is the­ Feast of Conclusion, when people leave the sukkah and resume the holiday in their own home. Prayers for rain, psalms of thanksgiving and joy, and yizkor (memorial prayers) are recited.

Simchat Torah, the Rejoicing for the Torah, marks the end of the annual Torah reading and the beginning of the cycle for the coming year. Simchat Torah is celebrated with song, Torah processions, dancing, and flags.

Sukkot, the Festival of Tabernacles, is named for the sukkahs (booths) the Jews lived in during their exodus from Egypt. Sukkas are decorated with tree branches and hanging fruits and vegetables. Other traditional symbols of the holiday are the lulav (palm branch with myrtle and willow) and etrog (citron fruit).

Tisha B'Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av, is a day of mourning to commemorate tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which have occurred on the ninth of Av.

Tu B'Shevat, New Year of the Trees, announces the arrival of spring in Israel. It is celebrated with going on picnics, planting trees, and eating fruit.

Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, is marked by memorials and dedications to those who perished in the Holocaust.

Yom Hazikaron, Israel Memorial Day, is a day of remembrance for all those who lost their lives while serving Israel. Yom Hazikaron concludes with a siren blast as stars appear in the sky and Independence Day begin.

Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, is celebrated by Jews around the world.

Yom Yerushalayim ­or Jerusalem Day, marks the anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem during Israel's 1967 Six Day War.

Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. On this somber day, we fast and recite prayers of confession (vidui). Yom Kippur marks the end of the 10 days of repentance which began with Rosh Hashanah.