Guide to Jewish Holidays
Shabbat Considered the most important holiday of the
Jewish calendar, Shabbat begins every Friday
evening at sunset and lasts through nightfall on
Saturday. As was written in Genesis, God cre-
ated the heavens, the earth and all of its inhabi-
tants in six days. On the evening of the sixth day
and on the seventh day, God rested from this
work. This was the very first Shabbat. As the sun
begins to set on Friday evening, Shabbat is wel-
comed with the blessing over the candles. Before
eating a celebratory meal, kiddush is said over
the wine, and a blessing is said over the challah
— a braided loaf of bread eaten on this night and
on other special occasions. The Torah teaches us
to remember and observe the Sabbath day, and
to keep it holy. Many families create customs at
home to set this day apart from the rest of the
busy week.

Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year celebra-
tion, and it initiates the High Holiday period. It
usually occurs in the early fall and ushers in the
most solemn time of the Jewish year. It is the
anni versary of creation, the beginning of a new
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Guide to Jewish
Holidays year, and a time for self-examination and repentance.

Rosh Hashanah is also referred to as the “Day of Judg-
ment,” when God reviews each person’s behavior dur-
ing the past year and inscribes his or her fate into the
proverbial “Book of Life.” In the synagogue, the shofar
— or ram’s horn — is sounded amidst solemn prayer.

It is customary to dip challah and apples in honey, to
wish one another “a sweet New Year” and to recite the
Motzi over a round challah, which, according to tradi-
tion, reminds us that God is central to and surrounds
our people and our faith.

Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur falls exactly 10 days after Rosh Hashanah,
and is the holiest of all the High Holidays. It is also
known as the “Day of Atonement,” and refers to the an-
nual observance of fasting, prayer and repentance,
when the verdict is sealed on each person’s fate for the
coming year. Jews customarily fast on Yom Kippur, al-
lowing them to concentrate on prayer, repentance and
self-improvement. Yom Kippur begins in the evening
with the chanting of the Kol Nidre prayer. The day ends
with a long shofar blast after three stars have appeared
in the sky.

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Sukkot Sukkot is the Hebrew word meaning “booths” or
“huts.” It begins five days after Yom Kippur, and refers
to the annual festival giving thanks for the fall harvest.

When the Jews lived in the desert after their exodus
from Egypt, they dwelled in huts. Later, in Israel, they
again used small huts during harvest time. Today, a
sukkah can be built anywhere — from backyards and
terraces to rooftops and patios. It is usually made from
wood and cloth, and is decorated with pictures and
hanging fruit to remind us of the harvest. The roof of
the sukkah must be temporary; it is usually covered
with loose branches so that at night, the stars can shine
through. During the eight days of Sukkot, many Jews
eat and sometimes even sleep in the sukkah. Special
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