Holidays and festivals form the circle of the Jewish year. While celebrating and observing with our community fills an important role, there is also an essential component which we can fulfill at home, especially for our children, for whom we set the example of Jewish worship.
View our calendar for holiday service dates and times.
View our High Holy Day Booklet 2023~5784
For many Jews, the High Holiday season begins with Rosh HaShanah and the start of the new month of Tishrei. Jewish tradition, however, teaches that the preceding month of Elul is a time of soul-searching and reflection to prepare oneself for the magnitude of the Days of Awe. It is during this time that we observe S'lichot (also spelled selichot).
Rosh HaShanah is the Jewish New Year, a time of prayer, self-reflection, and repentance.
—Mon
Yom Kippur means "Day of Atonement" and refers to the annual Jewish observance of fasting, prayer, and repentance.
Sukkot is one of the most joyful festivals on the Jewish calendar. “Sukkot,” a Hebrew word meaning "booths" or "huts," refers to the Jewish festival of giving thanks for the fall harvest. The holiday has also come to commemorate the 40 years of Jewish wandering in the desert after the giving of the Torah atop Mt. Sinai.
Immediately following Sukkot, we observe Simchat Torah, a fun-filled day during which we celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah.
Hanukkah, one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, is a festive eight-day celebration that for many people falls during the darkest, coldest season of the year. Also called the Festival of Lights, the holiday brings light, joy, and warmth to our homes and communities as we celebrate with candles, food, family, and friends.
Tu BiShvat or the "New Year of the Trees" is Jewish Arbor Day. The holiday is observed on the 15th (tu) of the Hebrew month of Shvat.
Purim is a joyous holiday that affirms and celebrates Jewish survival and continuity throughout history. The main communal celebration involves a public reading—usually in the synagogue—of the Book of Esther (M'gillat Esther), which tells the story of the holiday: Under the rule of King Ahashverosh, Haman, the king's adviser, plots to exterminate all of the Jews of Persia. His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews of Persia from destruction. The reading of the m'gillah typically is a rowdy affair, punctuated by booing and noise-making when Haman's name is read aloud.
Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is a major Jewish spring festival, celebrating freedom and family as we remember the Exodus from Egypt more than 3,000 years ago.
Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, occurs on the 27th of the Hebrew month of Nisan.
Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Memorial Day) and Yom HaZikaron (Independence Day) are observed in Israel as national holidays.
Lag BaOmer is a minor, festive holiday that falls on the 33rd day of the seven-week period between Passover and Shavuot, a period of time is known as the Omer.
The festival of Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Tishah B'Av is a day of mourning the destruction of both ancient Temples in Jerusalem.
Yizkor memorial prayers will be recited during the afternoon service on Sept. 25 (Yom Kippur) and morning services on Oct. 6 (Simchat Torah), April 29 (Pesach), and June12 (Shavuot).
*Holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the date shown above.
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Pittsburgh, PA 15217
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