Union for Reform Judaism / Jewish Holidays
Jewish Holidays
Diagram of Jewish Holidays CalendarLearn about the Jewish holidays and explore the customs and traditions of Reform Jews throughout North America. Union congregations invite you to visit their websites to learn how they weave celebration and tradition into their communities. We are pleased to share this information with you and wish you a chag sameach!

Is your congregation doing something special for the holidays? If your congregation has a Jewish holiday page that you would like to share, please send the URL to worship@urj.org and we will add it to our site. If you would like further information about holiday observance and traditions, please feel free to contact us.

*While we hope every one of the links listed is to an active page, some may have been removed; please contact us if you find such a link!

 

Various aspects of holiday experiences often surface as subjects of discussion on iWorship, the Union's listserv for worship issues. On the iWorship Wisdom page you can read excerpts, as well as subscribe to the listserv.
Upcoming Jewish Holidays  
August 2008
08/10 -  Tishah B'Av
Tishah B'Av, which means the "Ninth of Av", refers to a traditional day of mourning the destruction of both ancient Temples in Jerusalem. More recently, in Reform Judaism Tishah B'Av has been transformed into a day to remember many Jewish tragedies that have occurred throughout history.
September 2008
09/20 -  S'lichot
S'lichot, a Hebrew word meaning "forgiveness," refers to the special penitential prayers recited by Jews throughout the High Holy Days. Jews recite S'lichot beginning late at night on the Saturday before Rosh HaShanah and continue each morning on the days between the New Year and Yom Kippur.
09/30 to 10/01 - Rosh HaShanah
Rosh HaShanah (literally, "Head of the Year") refers to the celebration of the Jewish New Year. The holiday marks the beginning of a ten-day period of prayer, self-examination and repentance, which culminate on the fast day of Yom Kippur.
October 2008
10/09 -  Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the "Day of Atonement" and refers to the annual Jewish observance of fasting, prayer and repentance. This is considered to be the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
10/14 to 10/20 - Sukkot
Sukkot, a Hebrew word meaning "booths" or "huts", refers to the Jewish festival of giving thanks for the fall harvest, as well as the commemoration of the forty years of Jewish wandering in the desert after Sinai.
10/21 -  Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah, Hebrew for "rejoicing in the Law", celebrates the completion of the annual reading of the Torah.