[Answers.] 1. True Or False: Purim Is a Major Jewish Holiday. [False

PURIM TRIVIA GAME* [Answers.] 1. True or False: Purim is a major Jewish holiday. [False. It is not mentioned in the Five Books of Moses or Torah. The High Holy Days, Passover and Festivals are considered major holidays.] 2. True or False: Purim is celebrated everywhere only on one day in the Hebrew month of Adar? [False. Purim is celebrated on 14th day of Adar in most places, but in Jerusalem and other walled cities (like Shuhsan of ancient Persia where it originated) it is celebrated on the 15th of Adar since the news of the Jews victory took longer to get dispersed to outlying areas.] 3. True or False: The name Purim is derived from a Hebrew word whose plural form means “lots” relating to a kind of lottery drawing. [True. It derives also from Aramaic for “a small smooth object” tossed to determine a winner. It is thought that Haman used a random drawing to select the day on which the Jews were to be annihilated.] 4. True or False: This holiday originated with an historic event in the 5th century BCE in the ancient land of Israel. [False. It originated with an event circa the 5th century in Shushan, Persia, today known as Iran.] 5. Why is the name of G-d not mentioned even once in the entire Book of Esther from which Purim originated? [Since the original was written in the form of a scrolled letter sent to the far off areas of the Kingdom to describe the reason for celebration, it was open to great risks of being mishandled or desecrated. It is thought that omitting the holy name prevented it from being desecrated.] 6. Why is Purim such a joyous holiday that it allows and even encourages a lot of wine drinking and partying? [It represents the great joy of overcoming the power of wicked Haman and success in saving the Jews. But it also recalls that victory was gained in part by a clever strategy used by Esther which involved many nights of feasting and wine-drinking.] 7. What does the word “hamantashen” really mean? And why do we eat them on Purim? [These are 3 cornered pastries which originally were filled with poppyseeds. The word means “ Haman’s pockets” in German, possibly mocking to Haman’s power having come from filling his pockets with bribe money or stolen riches prior to his downfall.] 8. What is the significance or symbolism of the three corners of a hamantash? [The traditional explanation was that Esther took strength from Judaism’s three founders, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Any reference to resembling Haman’s hat came much later and no evidence could be found for it.] 9. What is special about the Megillah that is read on Purim? How has the word Megillah come to be used in everyday English language, that is, what does it imply or stand for? [It was a standalone book found written in the form of a scroll detailing the story of Esther, her cousin Mordecai, and against all odds, their convincing the non-Jewish power, King Ahasueras, to take their side against the threats of his second in command, Haman. As used in everyday English, a “big megillah” refers to a very long, detailed story.] 10. How did Esther manage victory over the 2nd most powerful man in her country thus saving her fellow Jews from annihilation? [Well. You need to hear the whole megillah… but she was able to replace the existing Queen in the affections of the King but not by beauty alone. ] *Source: The Jewish Book of Why by Alfred J. Kolatch (1981). .

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Elul Moon Journal 5781
High Holy Days 5782 Thi El Mo na ls o: High Holy Days 5782 Wel to Elu M or Elul is the last month of our Jewish calendar, the month when we transition from one year to the next. For generations, Jews across the world have spent this month of Elul reflecting on the previous year and thinking ahead to the new one. We invite you to do the same, and present the Elul Moon Journal! This journal invites folks of all ages to lean into the spiritual work of the High Holy Days season and 5782, the new year, with nightly journal prompts or discussion questions, and opportunities to track the moon’s progress through Elul. Journal one night, every night, or something in between. Resd to Pp n Tac t Mo Each evening of Elul corresponds to a page in this journal. The Hebrew dates you see on each page are the dates that begin at sundown those evenings. If the question stirs something in you, respond to it. If you find your pencil moving to a different beat, follow your heart. Feel free to incorporate a combination of writing and drawing. Our ancestors used the phases of the moon to track time. So too can we find meaning in centering ourselves around its waxing and waning. Before or aer your journal entry each night, hold up your paper to a window through which you can see the moon. Then trace it. Over the course of Elul, watch the skies and your journal pages as the moon grows from a sliver at the start to its full position by Rosh HaShanah.
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High Holy Day Information 5777 Table of Content
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The Month of Elul (PDF)
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High Holy Days
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2021 High Holy Days Schedule Rev. 8/23/2021
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Temple House of Israel Bulletin
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The Yomim Nora'im, Days of Awe Or High Holy Days, Are Among
The Yomim Nora’im, Days of Awe or High Holy Days, are among the most sacred times in the Jewish calendar. The period from Rosh HaShanah through Yom Kippur encompasses a time for reflection and renewal for Jews, both as individuals and as a community. In addition, throughout the world, and especially in American Jewish life, more Jews will attend services during these days than any other time of the year. The High Holy Days fall at a particularly important time for Jewish students on college campuses. Coming at the beginning of the academic year, they will often be a new student’s first introduction to the Jewish community on campus. Those students who have a positive experience are likely to consider attending another event or service, while those who do not feel comfortable or welcomed will likely not return again. Therefore, it is critical that both services and other events around the holidays be planned with a great deal of care and forethought. This packet is designed as a “how-to” guide for creating a positive, Reform High Holy Day experience on campus. It includes service outlines, program suggestions and materials, and sample text studies for leaders and participants. There are materials and suggestions for campuses of many varieties, including those which have separate Reform services – either led solely or in part by students – and those which only have one “communal” service. The program ideas include ways to help get people involved in the Jewish community during this time period whether or not they stay on campus for the holidays.
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Themes of the High Holidays
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High Holy Days 2019 / 5780
TEMPLE BETH AM HIGH HOLY DAYS 2019 / 5780 BETH AM B’YACHAD HOW GOOD TO DWELL TOGETHER PSALM 133 ROSH HASHANAH SUKKOT Sunday, Sept. 29 Sunday, Oct. 13 Monday, Sept. 30 Monday, Oct. 14 YOM KIPPUR SIMCHAT TORAH Tuesday, Oct. 8 Sunday, Oct. 20 Wednesday, Oct. 9 Monday, Oct. 21 SERVICE TIMES Selichot – Saturday, September 21 Selichot Service ..................7:00 – 10:00 PM Erev Rosh Hashanah – Sunday, September 29 Early: L-Z (Purple Ticket) ............6:30 – 8:00 PM Late: A-K (GrayTicket) .............8:30 – 10:00 PM Rosh Hashanah – Monday, September 30 Early: L-Z (PurpleTicket) .......... 8:30 – 11:00 AM Late: A-K (Gray Ticket).........11:45 AM – 2:15 PM Young Family Service ...............3:00 – 3:45 PM Tashlich at Matthews Beach...............4:30 PM Shabbat Shuvah Friday, October 4 .......................8:00 PM Saturday, October 5 ....................10:30 AM Kol Nidre – Tuesday, October 8 Early: A-K (Gray Ticket) .............6:30 – 8:00 PM Late: L-Z (PurpleTicket)............8:30 – 10:00 PM Yom Kippur – Wednesday, October 9 Rabbi Ruth A. Zlotnick and Rabbi Jason Early: A-K (Gray Ticket) .......... 8:30 – 11:00 AM R. Levine will take turns leading each Late: L-Z (Purple Ticket) .......11:45 AM – 2:15 PM of the evening and morning services Teen Service.................11:45 AM – 1:30 PM on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Eileh Ezk’rah Service ...............2:30 – 3:00 PM The sermon that a rabbi gives in the Discussion Program ................3:00 – 3:45 PM Young Family Service ...............3:00 – 3:45 PM evening service is exactly the same Contemplative Service, Healing Service, as the sermon the rabbi gives the Afternoon Torah Service, Yizkor, Ne’ilah .....4:00 PM next morning to the other half of the Break the Fast .
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