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.

Feeling stuck?
Heart to Heart can help you spring into action!
Now accepting applicants from the Philadelphia area
• Are you having difficulty making ends meet?
• Have you recently lost your job?
• Have you been experiencing hardship
or recent life changes?
• Are you struggling to put food on the table?
• Do you need help taking that next step?
If you are Jewish, under the age of 60 and have said yes
to any of these questions, contact us now for help!
For additional information and eligibility, please contact:
Karen Gurmankin, LSW, Program Director
215-698-7300 x135 or kgurmankin@kleinlife.org
Heart to Heart
Heart to Heart at KleinLife is generously
supported by the Schwartz Foundation.

215-698-7300 • KleinLife.org
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
THE GUIDE 2015/2016
29