Festivals and Holidays

The holiday marks the beginning of a 10-day period, known as the Yamim Nora-im (“Days of Awe” or “High Holidays”), ushered in by Rosh HaShanah and culminating with Yom Kippur (the “Day of Atonement”). Rosh HaShanah is widely observed by Jews throughout the world, often with prayer, reflection, and the sounding of the Shofar in a synagogue.  

 Congregational and family services are held on the eve of Rosh HaShanah, on the morning and afternoon of the first day, and on the morning of the second day. On the first day of Rosh HaShanah, services are followed by Tashlich, a walk over to Lake Michigan where we symbolically cast our sins into the water.  

Yom Kippur is the moment in Jewish time when we dedicate our mind, body, and soul to reconciliation with our fellow human beings, ourselves, and God. As the New Year begins, we commit to self-reflection and inner change. As both seekers and givers of pardon, we turn first to those whom we have wronged, acknowledging our sins and the pain we have caused them.  We are also commanded to forgive, to be willing to let go of any resentment we feel towards those who have committed offenses against us.  

The Kol Nidre prayer is recited on the eve of Yom Kippur at our congregational service. Congregational and family services are held on the morning and afternoon of the day of Yom Kippur. The day comes to an end with Yizkor and Concluding Services.  

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. Temple Sholom builds a sukkah each year, and all are welcome to join us throughout the week! Festival morning services are held on the first day. 

Torah, D’varim (Deuteronomy), is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, or B'reishit as it is called in Hebrew, is read. This practice represents the cyclical nature of the relationship between the Jewish people and the reading of the Torah. We also invite all who remember the Parshat from their B’nai Mitzvah to take part by finding the section and re-reading it! 

Historically, Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah were two separate holidays (a day of reflection after the end of Sukkot and a celebration of Torah the following day). However, in Israel and in Reform congregations, which generally observe one day of holidays rather than two, Sh’mini Atzeret is observed concurrently with Simchat Torah. 

At Temple Sholom we also host a Family Seder on the second night, suitable for families and children. On the last day of Passover, Yizkor services are held.

Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is also marked by the prohibition on eating chametz (food made with leavened grains, including wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt); and the eating of matzah (an unleavened bread made specially for Passover). The eating of unleavened represents that the Jews had to flee Egypt so quickly that the bread being made didn’t have time to rise. 

Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks,” and the holiday occurs seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest. In ancient times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival during which Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, it is a celebration of Torah, education, and the choice to participate actively in Jewish life.