Holidays

our holidays

Shabbat

Shabbat is the only sacred day in Judaism that occurs every week. It is also the only ritual prescribed by the Ten Commandments.

Shabbat services are held every Friday at 8:00 pm and every Saturday morning at 10:00am. Evening services are followed by an Oneg Shabbat – a social time to celebrate the joyful spirit of Shabbat. Shabbat morning services are followed by Kiddush with light refreshments.

High Holy Days

Rosh Hashanah


Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, introduces the ten-day period of penitence and introspection. As in Israel, two days of Rosh Hashanah are observed at Temple Sholom. Please Note: You must have a High Holiday ticket to attend Temple Sholom High Holiday Services. High Holy Day tickets are included in Membership Fees.

Yom Kippur


Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is considered to be the most sacred day of the year, and concludes the Ten Days of Penitence. As a congregation, we break the fast together at sundown.

Sukkot


Sukkot is a week long holiday that falls just five days after Yom Kippur. It is one of the three Pilgrim Festivals which were celebrated in antiquity by pilgrims to the Temple in Jerusalem. At Temple Sholom a Sukka is built outside the Sanctuary and is utilized by children in our Religious School, as well as congregants throughout the week.

Shemini Atzeret – Simchat Torah


Simchat Torah concludes the fall festival season. The services for this festival focus on the conclusion and resumption of the annual cycle of Torah readings.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah (known by many spellings) is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the second Century BCE. It is marked by the lighting of a menorah (hanukkiah) and the eating of fried foods.

Purim

Purim celebrates the events described in the Book of Esther. Central to this celebration is the reading of the Megillah (scroll) in the Synagogue. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, introduces the ten-day period of penitence and introspection. As in Israel, two days of Rosh Hashanah are observed at Temple Sholom. Please Note: You must have a High Holy Days ticket to attend Temple Sholom High Holy Day Services. High Holy Day tickets are included in Membership Fees.

Pesach/Passover

Pesach marks the beginning of the spring and commemorates the anniversary of the Exodus of out people from slavery. A Congregational Seder on the second night of Pesach, led by our Rabbi, has become the focal point in the Congregation’s celebration.

Shavuot


Shavuot, one of the three Pilgrimage Festivals, occurs seven weeks after the beginning of Pesach and is celebrated as both the anniversary of the revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the festival of early harvest. A special service led by our Confirmation graduates is the highlight of the evening.

Other Special Days of Observance


Tu B’Shvat, Tisha B’Av, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Yom Hashoah are also marked by special and meaningful commemorative services.