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Explanation of Jewish Holidays

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Explanation of Jewish Holidays Explanation of Jewish Holidays The purpose of this calendar... Rosh Hashanah - New Year Shabbat - The Sabbath Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish This weekly celebration begins on sundown This calendar and holiday guide has been year and the Ten Days of Penitence. The holiday Friday and concludes one hour after sundown on prepared by the Community Relations Council concludes with Yom Kippur. It is observed with Saturday. Shabbat celebrates God’s completion of of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island day-long synagogue services, the blowing of the Creation and the desire to see peace and harmony shofar (ram’s horn), and the eating of apples and to assist public officials, school administrators, in the world. As God rested on the Seventh Day honey, symbolic of our hopes for a sweet year. of Creation, Jews are commanded to rest and teachers, and private employers in planning refrain from work on Shabbat as a way to recreate classes and events that will not conflict with Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. This the observance of major Jewish holidays. The most holy of all Jewish holidays is devoted to weekly holy day is the most revered on the Jewish Government agencies, hospitals, and the media synagogue services, fasting, prayer, and repentance. Calendar. may find this calendar helpful. Sukkot - Feast of the Tabernacles, Other major Jewish Holidays where it is It is designed to encourage public awareness of Shemini Atzeret, and permissible to work or attend school: Jewish religious observances. It is hoped that this Simhat Torah guide will help you in scheduling activities like Sukkot is an eight-day harvest festival of Hanukkah examinations, sporting activities, meetings, and thanksgiving and remembrance of the Israelites’ This eight-day festival marks the victory of wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Jewish forces over the ancient Assyrians and the graduation ceremonies during times that conflict Egypt. Jews traditionally refrain from working on with Jewish observances. rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The the first two days and the last day of the holiday. Jewish people fought for religious freedom and The concluding day is calledShemini Atzeret. were able to throw off the yoke of their oppressors. There is broad variation of religious Jewish Simhat Torah marks the conclusion of the annual practices in our community. Some students and readings of the Torah - The Five Books of Moses and the end of the High Holy Day season follows. Purim staff members as well as other employees and This day of Jewish merrymaking marks the volunteers will be absent while others might not. Passover salvation of the Jewish community from near This eight-day festival commemorates the Israelite destruction by the Persian tyrant Haman. The The exact days of the Jewish holidays and Exodus from Egyptian slavery. Two services story of this victory is recorded in the Book of observances differ each year as the Jewish (Seders) occur in Jewish homes on the festival eve Esther. calendar is lunar based. and first night. This observance will likely result in absences on the first two and last two days of Yom Ha’Shoah - Holocaust Memorial Day In addition to providing dates for Jewish holidays Passover. This day is dedicated to the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during World through May 2021, this guide also briefly War II. explains the holidays and their significance. Shavuot - The Feast of Weeks http://www.interfaith-calendar.org/ This holiday commemorates the receiving of the Torah (Five Books of Moses) by the Israelites Yom Ha’Atzmaut - Israel Independence Day on Mount Sinai and is observed by two days of This holiday commemorates the State of Israel’s synagogue attendance. Declaration of Independence in 1948. Five-Year Calendar of Jewish Holidays Shabbat and all Jewish holy days begin at sundown of the previous day and end at nightfall on the final day of observance. Jewish 2016/5777 2017/5778 2018/5779 2019/5780 2020/5781 Rosh Hashanah Oct. 3 & 4 Sept. 21 & 22 Sept. 10 & 11 Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 Sept. 19 & 20 Holiday Guide Ne w Year Mon. & Tues. Thurs. & Fri. Mon. & Tues. Mon & Tues. Sat. & Sun. Yom Kippur Oct. 12 Sept. 30 Sept. 19 Oct. 9 Sept. 28 and Calendar Day of Atonement Wednesday Saturday Wednesday Wednesday Monday Sukkot Oct. 17 & 18 Oct. 5 & 6 Sept. 24 & 25 Oct. 14 & 15 Oct. 3 & 4 Feast of the Mon. & Tues. Thurs. & Fri. Mon. & Tues. Mon & Tues. Sat. & Sun. Tabernacles 2017-2021 5777-5781 Shemini Atzeret Oct. 24 & 25 Oct. 12 & 13 Oct. 1 & 2 Oct. 21 & 22 Oct. 10 & 11 & Simhat Torah Mon. & Tues. Thurs. & Fri. Mon. & Tues. Mon & Tues. Sat. & Sun. Hanukkah Dec. 25 - Jan. 1 Dec. 13 - 20 Dec. 3 - 10 Dec. 23 - 30 Dec. 11 - 18 Festival of Lights Sun. - Sun. Wed. - Wed. Mon. - Mon. Mon. - Mon. Fri. - Fri. 2017/5777 2018/5778 2019/5779 2020/5780 2021/5781 Purim March 12 March 1 March 21 March 10 February 26 Festival of Esther Sunday Thursday Thursday Tuesday Friday Passover April 11 & 12 Mar. 31 & April 1 April 20 & 21 April 9 & 10 March 28 & 29 Tues & Wed. Sat. & Sun. Sat. & Sun. Thurs. & Fri. Sun. & Mon. Concluding Days April 17 & 18 April 6 & 7 April 26 & 27 April 15 & 16 April 3 & 4 of Passover Mon. & Tues. Fri. & Sat. Fri. & Sat. Wed & Thurs. Sat. & Sun. Yom Ha’Shoah April 24 April 12 May 2 April 21 April 8 Holocaust Monday Thursday Thursday Tuesday Thursday Memorial Day Yom Ha’Atzmaut May 2 April 19 May 9 April 29 April 15 Israel Tuesday Thursday Thursday Wednesday Thursday Independence Day Shavuot May 31 & June 1 May 20 & 21 June 9 & 10 May 29 & 30 May 17 & 18 Feast of Weeks Wed. & Thurs. Sun. & Mon. Sun. & Mon. Fri. & Sat. Mon. & Tues. Note: Shaded areas denote holidays when work is restricted. Call the Community Relations Council at 401.421.4111 for questions, concerns, or more copies of this guide. 401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 401.421.4111 | jewishallianceri.org.
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