High Holy Days

March 19, 2010 | 4th Nisan 5770

ROSH HASHANAH · YOM KIPPUR
When do the High Holy Days occur? View the Calendar of Jewish Holidays

Preparing for the Yamim Noraim
As fall approaches, Jews throughout the world begin to prepare for a unique ten-day period of prayer, self-examination, fasting, and repentance. It is time for the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, the High Holy Days: Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. This ten-day period is preceded by a month of reflection: the Hebrew month of Elul. During this time, morning worship includes special penitential prayers and concludes with the blowing of the shofar as a reminder of the approaching season of atonement. In some communities, this is also a time to visit the graves of loved ones.

S'lichot, a Hebrew word meaning "forgiveness," refers to the special penitential prayers recited by Jews during the High Holy Day season. The S’lichot liturgy contains some of the finest Jewish religious poetry ever composed. Reform congregations usually observe S’lichot on the Saturday night just prior to Rosh HaShanah, a solemn and fitting preparation for ten days of reflection and self-examination.

Compiled from Mark Washofosky’s Jewish Living: A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice and Daniel B. Syme’s The Jewish Home: A Guide for Jewish Living.

Embrace the High Holy Days
in Your Home

Elul: Preparing Yourself for Renewal - Individually assess accomplishments, take note of challenges, and create a vision for the future.

The Jewish Parent Page and Holiday Happenings
Great ideas for celebrating the High Holy Days for families with young children.

Family Table Talk - A High Holy Day conversation guide based of the haftara preceding Rosh Hashana

WRJ High Holiday cards - Wish friends and loved ones Shanah tova with these cards and E-cards

Jewels of Elul: A website for Elul, offering daily wisdom from a diverse group of individuals.

Celebrate the High Holy Days
at Your Synagogue

Services Reaching for Holiness: a series of study and workshop guides for the High Holy Day season, as well as Sukkot, featuring music, text study, film discussion, personal evaluation, and much more.

Social Action High Holy Day Guide: Incorporate social action programming into holiday practices.

Communicate!: Extensive program bank for your congregation.

Gates of Forgiveness: A S’lichot prayer book.

Articles & Guidebooks

Eilu v’Eilu
This point/counterpoint model involves a dialogue between Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker and Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus, on the topic of heshbon hanefesh.
Galilee Diary
This entry by Marc J. Rosenstein describes the experience of Elul in Israel.
High Holy day Guidebook for College Campuses & Small Congregations
"How-to" guide for creating a positive, Reform High Holy Day experience. It includes service outlines, program suggestions and materials, and sample text studies for leaders and participants.
My Jewish Learning
This excerpt from Rabbi Reuven Hammer’s book Entering the High Holy Days offers an in-depth explanation of the S'lichot prayers and service.
Polish the Soul for Elul
Anne Brener describes her process of teshuvah, utilizing liturgy and stressing the importance of "cultivating compassion".

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For Kids

Babaganewz
At High Holidays Central, children can play online games, send e-cards and more!
Crayola.com
Print coloring pages for Rosh HaShana.
High Holy Day Do-lt-Yourself Dictionary
A fill-in dictionary for young readers that teaches them about the High Holy Days.
Holiday Happenings -- for parents and staff of the Union's Early Childhood Programs
Creative ways to celebrate and observe the holidays with young children.
ShirLaLa
Stories, creative games and tons of activities for kids.

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Adult Study

A Faithful Heart: Preparing for the High Holy Days
Rabbi Levy has assembled an excellent midrashic study of Abraham's character that will offer the opportunity to examine the themes related to the High Holy Days.
Days of Awe: A Treasury of Jewish Wisdom for Reflection, Repentance, and Renewal on the High Holy Days
Here in one volume are readings and meditations from the Bible, the Talmud, the Midrash, and the Zohar, to deepen the spiritual experience of the holiest days of the Jewish year.
Entering the High Holy Days: A Guide to Origins, Themes, and Prayers
This book provides historical background and interpretation of the ideas, practices, and liturgy and lends them contemporary relevance to today's Jews.
I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl
For ideas on how to use this book for the High Holy Days, see Reaching for Holiness (2004)
Preparing Your Heart for the High Holy Days
This book guides readers through the process of taking moral inventory.