high holiday programs: 2026

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.

Following the High Holidays is the joyous holiday of Sukkot, the seven days of dwelling in a sukkah, an outdoor hut covered with branches and vegetation. It commemorates when God provided for the Israelites after being freed from slavery in Egypt.

After Sukkot are Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, when Jews finish reading the Torah and immediately begin again.