GUIDE TO THE 2012-2013 ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODOX JEWISH TEACHERS OF THE NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1577 Coney Island Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230 / Phone: (718) 258-3585 Fax: (718) 258-3586 / www.aojt.org / [email protected]

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Monday & Tuesday, September 17th & 18th Extended special synagogue services. Work restrictions on both days.

Tzom Gedaliah (Fast of Gedaliah) Wednesday, September 19th Fast begins at dawn. Commemorates the assassination of Gedaliah Ben Achikam, and the start of Babylonian exile of the Jewish people. No restrictions on work.

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Wednesday, September 26th Fast day, beginning prior to sunset on previous day. Day-long synagogue services, with many special prayers, including memorial services. Work restrictions on this day.

Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) Mon. & Tues. October 1st & 2nd, Mon. & Tues. Oct. 8th & 9th Nine day holiday commemorating the Biblical wanderings of the Jewish people in the desert. All meals are eaten in special temporary huts (). Special services on the seventh day, . Memorial services on the eighth day, . The ninth day, Simchat , is a very joyous day. On that day we complete the cycle of reading the Torah, one chapter per week, and commence the cycle once again from Chapter One. It is marked by singing and dancing. Work restrictions on first two days and last three days. The intermediate days are called Chol Hamoed and include limited restrictions.

Chanukah Sunday - Sunday, December 9th - 16th Celebration of the rededication of the Second Temple in after regaining independence from the Syrian Greeks. Commemorated by lighting candles each night. No work restrictions.

Asarah B’ (Fast of the 10th of Tevet) Sunday, December 23rd Fast begins at dawn. Commemorates the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. No work restrictions.

Tu B’Shvat Saturday, January 26, 2013 Jewish Arbor Day. Celebration of new fruits in the Land of Israel. No work restrictions.

Ta’anit Esther () Thursday, February 21st Fast begins at dawn. Commemorates the fast of Queen Esther in order to save the Jewish people of ancient Persia from persecution. No work restrictions.

Purim Sunday, February 24th Commemorates the rescue of the Jewish people in ancient Persia. Celebrated with feasts, the sending of gifts, and extra charity. Additional synagogue services, and distribution of gifts makes this a religious observance day. Pesach () Monday - Tuesday, March 25th - April 2nd Commemorates the Biblical Exodus of the Jewish people from ancient Egypt. Special home ritual (Seder) conducted first two evenings. The day before (Erev) is also considered a religious observance day. Memorial services on last day. The intermediate days are called Chol Hamoed. Work restrictions on first two days and last two days.

Lag B’Omer Sunday, April 28th Break in the traditional mourning period between Pesach and for the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who died during the final revolt against the Romans. No special services. No work restrictions.

Shavuot (Pentecost) Wednesday & Thursday, May 15th & 16th Celebrating the giving of the Ten Commandments (Torah) at Mt. Sinai. Memorial services on the second day. Work restrictions on both days.

Shiva Asar B’ (Fast of the 17th of Tammuz) Tuesday, June 25th Fast begins at dawn. Commemorates the breach of the walls of Jerusalem by the ancient Romans. No work restrictions.

Tisha B’ (Fast of the 9th of Av) Tuesday, July 16th Fast begins prior to sunset of previous day. Anniversary of the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem and other Jewish tragedies. Special mourning customs and prayers. Limited restrictions on work.

All Jewish Holidays and observances, except as noted, begin at sundown on the evening prior to the first day, and traditionally, all normal business, school or secular activities cease. Employees should be allowed reasonable time to travel home and to complete their preparations for the holidays. Also, traditional observance of fast and intermediate festival days include special prayers and extended synagogue services both in the morning and afternoon.