Rosh HaShanah, literally head of the year, is the Jewish New Year. It is a tradition to eat apples dipped in honey as a way of wishing all who partake a sweet new year. The New Year is welcomed with long and short blasts of the Shofar, a ram's horn, that is sounded during the High Holidays.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a solemn day of fasting and praying. We ask God to forgive us for the sins we have committed between ourselves and God. God cannot forgive any sin that we have committed between ourselves and other people. For that we must ask those we have wronged for forgiveness.

Sukkot is the Fall Harvest festival. In ancient days, the Israelites thanked God for a good harvest during a week long festival. Today, we celebrate by building and eating in temporary booths outside of our homes. We often decorate them with colorful paper chains. We also shake the Lulav, made up of three kinds of plants: myrtle, willow and palm, and smell the Etrog, a fragrant citrus fruit similar to a lemon.

Simchat Torah, literally rejoicing in the law, is celebrated at the end of Sukkot. On Simchat Torah we complete the reading of the last Parsha (portion) of the Torah and then immediately begin anew by reciting from the first Parsha of the Torah. The holiday is celebrated with singing and dancing with the Torah.

Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Temple and the victory of the Macabees over the Syrian-Greeks in 164 BCE. We celebrate by lighting the eight candled Menorah, giving Gelt (coins) and gifts to our loved ones.

Tu B'Shevat, literally the 15th day of the month of Shevat, is the new year of the trees. We recognize the importance of trees in our world as a supplier of our basic needs: food, shelter and oxygen. We plant trees both at home and in Israel and eat of the fruit of various trees.

On Purim, we read the Megillah (Scroll) of Esther. Esther is the heroine of the story in which the Jews of Persia are saved from the evil Haman. We dress up in costumes, wear masks and make loud, booing noises whenever Haman's name is read. Recently, a new custom has arisen of ringing bells whenever Esther’s name is read. A favorite treat eaten during Purim is Hamentaschen, fruit-filled, 3-cornered cookies.

On Pesach (Passover), we re-enact the story of the exodus from Egypt. We share in a festive meal called a Seder. During the Seder, we eat, among other things, Matzah (unleavened bread) and drink four cups of wine.

Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, is commemorated during the Hebrew month of Nissan, near the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, and one week before Yom Ha-atzmaut (see below). In Israel, it is marked with two minutes of silence while sirens are sounded throughout the country.

Yom HaZikaron is Israel’s Memorial Day, when we remember the thousands of Israelis who given their lives in defense of the nation.

Yom Ha'Atzmaut is Israel’s Independence Day. The modern State of Israel was founded in 1948. Every year we celebrate Israel's birthday with parades and by waving flags. Israel has been known by many names, one of which is the land of milk and honey.

Lag B'Omer, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, is the day upon which many good things in Jewish history have occurred. It is often celebrated with hiking, bonfires and the shooting of toy bows and arrows.

Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, celebrates the reunification of Jerusalem after the Six Day War in 1967. For 19 years prior to this day, Jews were forbidden to go to the Old City and the Western Wall.

Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah (5 Books of Moses) to Moses and the people of Israel at Mount Sinai. The Torah is decorated as a way of showing honor and respect. Rimonim often adorn the tops of the handles. A portion of the Torah is read every week. A special pointer called a Yad is used to read the Torah so as not to get any oils from our own fingers on the parchment.

Tisha B'Av, the ninth day of Av, is the saddest day in Jewish history. It is on this day that both the first (586 BCE) and second (70 CE) Temples were destroyed. Other tragedies that occurred on this date were the expulsions from England (1290 CE) and Spain (1492 CE).

 

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©2007 Susan Fischer Weis