Jewish Holidays
2025 / 5785
Passover - Saturday, April 12th - Sunday, April 20th
Shavuot - Monday, June 2nd and Tuesday, June 3rd
Tisha B'Av - Sunday, August 3rd
Selichot-Saturday September 13
Selichot are special penitential prayers recited in the lead-up to the High Holy Days, beginning in the days or weeks before Rosh Hashanah. These prayers, filled with themes of forgiveness and introspection, are traditionally recited during late-night or early-morning services to prepare spiritually for the Days of Awe. They emphasize self-reflection, repentance, and seeking God's compassion.
Erev Rosh Hashanah-Monday September 22
Erev Rosh Hashanah marks the evening that ushers in the Jewish New Year, a time of reflection, renewal, and prayer. Families and communities gather for festive meals featuring symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey to express hopes for a sweet year ahead. Synagogue services often begin with special prayers and melodies to welcome this sacred period of introspection and connection.
Rosh Hashanah Day 1-Tuesday September 23
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 is the first day of the Jewish New Year, a time for reflection, prayer, and renewal. Highlights include attending synagogue services to hear the sounding of the shofar, which calls for spiritual awakening and repentance. Families also gather for festive meals with symbolic foods, expressing hopes for a year of blessings and sweetness.
Rosh Hashanah Day 2-Wednesday September 24
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 continues the themes of reflection, prayer, and renewal that define the Jewish New Year. Synagogue services feature the shofar's blasts and special prayers, emphasizing spiritual growth and a connection to God. Families often gather again for festive meals, extending the celebration of hope and blessings for the year ahead.
Erev Yom Kippur / Kol Nidre-Wednesday October 1
Kol Nidre is the solemn prayer recited on the evening of Yom Kippur, marking the beginning of the Day of Atonement. This hauntingly beautiful declaration annuls personal vows made to God, setting a tone of reflection, forgiveness, and spiritual cleansing. It is one of the most sacred and emotionally charged moments in the Jewish calendar, drawing communities together in prayer and introspection.
Yom Kippur-Thursday October 2
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, dedicated to repentance, prayer, and fasting. Observed with solemn synagogue services, it includes the confessional prayers (Vidui) and the powerful Neilah closing service. This day of reflection and spiritual cleansing ends with the shofar's final blast, symbolizing renewal and a fresh start.
Sukkot Day 1-Tuesday October 2
Sukkot Day 1 marks the beginning of the joyous week-long festival celebrating the harvest and God's protection during the Israelites' journey in the desert. Observances include dwelling in the sukkah, a temporary outdoor structure, and waving the lulav and etrog, symbolizing unity and gratitude. It is a time for festive meals, community gatherings, and reflection on the blessings of nature and faith.
Sukkot Day 2-Wednesday October 3
Sukkot Day 2 continues the joyful celebration of the harvest and God's protection, with a focus on dwelling in the sukkah and performing the mitzvah of waving the lulav and etrog. Festive meals and prayers emphasize gratitude and connection to both nature and community. This second day of the festival highlights the ongoing joy and spirituality that define Sukkot.
Shemini Atzeret-Tuesday October 14
Shemini Atzeret, observed at the conclusion of Sukkot, is a distinct festival focused on spiritual reflection and connection with God. Unlike Sukkot, the emphasis shifts away from the sukkah and lulav, centering instead on prayers for rain (Tefilat Geshem) to bless the coming year. It is a day of joy and gratitude, marking the transition from the harvest season to the new cycle of blessings.
Simchat Torah-Wednesday October 15
Simchat Torah is a joyous celebration marking the conclusion of the annual Torah reading cycle and the start of a new one. Festivities include lively dancing and singing with Torah scrolls, symbolizing love and devotion to Jewish tradition. This day highlights communal joy, renewal, and the eternal connection to the teachings of the Torah.