High Holiday Days
15 Shevat
Begins sunset of
Thursday, January 25, 2024
The 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar is the day that marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees.
This day marks the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. By eating fruit, particularly from the kinds that are singled out by the Torah in its praise of the bounty of the Holy Land: grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.
Purim 13 & 14 Adar
Begins sunset of Saturday, March 23, 2024
Ends nightfall of Sunday, March 24, 2024
The festival of Purim commemorates the Divine salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews. These events are recorded in the Book of Esther, and the salvation that came about at that time is celebrated on the holiday of Purim.
Pesach 14-22 Nissan
Begins sunset of Monday, April 22, 2024
Ends nightfall of Tuesday, April 30, 2024
It commemorates the Israelite's from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is observed by avoiding leaven and highlighted by the Seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus.
Second Pesach 14 Iyar
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Thirty days ago we cleaned our homes and souls of leaven, and matzah our way through the week-long festival of Passover. And now, Pesach Sheni—a second Passover experience!
Shavuot 5 -7 Sivan
Begins sunset of
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Ends nightfall of Thursday, June 13, 2024
Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah on Mt Sinai. The Ten Commandments are read in synagogues and Messianic Communities, just as they were in the desert on Mt Sinai over 3,300 years ago.
The Three Weeks
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
through
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
The “Three Weeks” and Tisha B’Av are designated as a time of mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temple and the galut (exile).
The fast commemorates five tragic events that occurred on this date: 1. Moshe broke the tablets. 2. Babylonian Siege. 3. Burning of the Holy Torah. 4. An idol replaced in the Holy Temple. 5. The Walls of Jerusalem were breached
The 15th of Av
Monday, August 19, 2024
Although it is mentioned in the Mishnah as a day on which the women of ancient Israel went out to find husbands, Tu B’Av more or less disappeared from the Jewish calendar for close to two millennia, only to be rediscovered by mainly secular Israelis, seeking a Jewish equivalent to Valentine’s Day in the non-Jewish world. Over the course of the last few years this mid-summer celebration of love has become increasingly popular in Israeli society.
Rosh Hashanah
Begins sunset of Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Ends nightfall of Friday, October 4, 2024
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and a day of judgment and coronation of G‑d as king.
The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is blowing the Shofar (ram’s horn) on both mornings of the holiday (except on Shabbat).
Yom Kippur
(the Day of Atonement)
Begins sunset of Friday, October 11, 2024
Ends nightfall of Saturday, October 12, 2024
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year—the day on which we are closest to G‑d and to the quintessence of our own souls. It is the Day of Atonement—“For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G‑d” (Leviticus 16:30).
Sukkot
Begins sunset of Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Ends nightfall of Sunday, October 23, 2024
The seven days of Sukkot—celebrated by dwelling in the sukkah, taking the Four Kinds, and rejoicing—is the holiday when we expose ourselves to the elements in covered huts, commemorating G‑d's sheltering our ancestors as they travelled from Egypt to the Promised Land. The Four Kinds express our unity and our belief in G‑d’s omnipresence. Coming after the solemn High Holidays, it is a time of joy and happiness.
Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah
Begins sunset of Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Ends nightfall of Friday, October 25, 2024
Following the seven joyous days of Sukkot, comes the happy holiday known as Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah. Both days are celebrated by nightly candle lighting, festive meals at both night and day.
Chanukah
Begins sunset of Thursday, December 25, 2024
Ends nightfall of Thursday, January 2, 2024
Chanukah commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a group of Jewish warriors defeated the occupying mighty Greek armies.
We light the menorah candles that hold nine flames, one of which is the shamash (attendant), which is used to kindle the other eight lights. On the first night, we light just one flame. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Chanukah, all eight lights are kindled.