Join your friends and neighbors in celebrating holidays, celebrations and community-wide events at the Oshman Family JCC throughout the year. Discover innovative ways to observe familiar holidays. Come together for meaningful volunteering and community events. And explore the rich diversity of the Bay Area Jewish community!
Moderated by Shannon Stein
JEWISH HOLIDAYS
Shabbat is Judaism's day of rest on the seventh day of the week—i.e., Saturday.
Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before the sun sets on Friday evening until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night, or an hour after sundown. Shabbat is ushered in by lighting candles and reciting blessings over wine and bread.
Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from the wicked Haman in the days of Queen Esther of Persia. Groggers (spinning noisemakers) are used to drown out Haman’s name during the Megillah reading. It’s a joyous holiday.
The eight-day Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach), celebrated in early spring, commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Pesach is observed by avoiding leaven (i.e., bread) and highlighted by the Seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus.
Pesach means “to pass over” because God passed over Jewish homes when killing Egyptian firstborn on the first Passover eve.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is the first of the High Holidays. Usually falling in September and/or early October, Rosh Hashanah begins ten days of repentance. During this time Jews take stock of their lives and make amends with others by asking for their forgiveness.
The best-known ritual is the blowing of the shofar, an instrument made from a ram’s horn. Meals include apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year.
Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, when Jews fast, pray, seek forgiveness from God and others. It is the peak of the High Holidays.
Hanukkah, the "Festival of Lights," commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a group of Jewish warriors defeated the occupying Greek armies. Celebrated for eight days and nights, in late November/December, Jews say prayers and light candles in an eight-branched candelabra called a menorah.
They also serve foods fried in oil, sing songs, play games and give gifts including gelt (chocolate coins).
