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.
Start the Year Together: OFJCC Community Holiday Fair
Sunday, August 30 | 3:30–7:00 PM
Join us for a joyful, family-friendly celebration of the High Holidays right in the heart of the OFJCC—the Midrahov! For more information and to register, click here.
PJ Library Story Time for the High Holidays
Wednesday, September 2 | 4:00–5:15 PM
Please join us for story time as former preschool teacher Susie reads stories about the Jewish High Holidays. For more information and to register, click here.
Rosh Hashanah in the Park
Saturday, September 12 | 4:30–7:00 PM
Come join us for our annual celebration at Hidden Villa. We’ll be together in nature and connect with the meaning of the holiday with fun activities for children and adults. For more information and to register, click here.
Fall Harvest with Teacher Debbie for Rosh Hashanah
Sunday, September 13 | 10:00 AM–11:30 PM
Come be a willing participant while we harvest Teacher Debbie’s farm! For more information and to sign up, click here.
Sunday, September 13 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
For Hebrew speakers
Join us for a family bike ride at Shoreline Lake, followed by a family picnic with fun activities and ending with a lake toss. For more information and to register, click here.
Teen Time! Here We Are Again: New Year, Old Wisdom
Tuesday, September 15 | 4:30–7:00 PM
For teens
Just in time for Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year! Start it grounded in the wisdom of our ancestors. For more information and to register, click here.
Israeli Yom Kippur
First Night—Kol Nidre: Sunday, September 20 | 6:45–8:00 PM
Second Night—Ne’ilah: Monday, September 21 | 6:15–7:30 PM
Hebrew speakers are invited to experience Yom Kippur as a community. For more information and to register: Kol Nidre , Ne’ilah
Sukkot Shabbat Dinner
Friday, September 25 | 5:30–7:00 PM
Join us as we celebrate Sukkot with a delicious Shabbat dinner and friends in the Sukkah at the OFJCC. For more information and to register, click here.
ICC: Kids Movie Night in the Sukkah
Saturday, September 26 | 6:00–10:00 PM
Hebrew-speaking 2nd–5th graders are invited to a magical night evening in the sukkah at the OFJCC, followed by a movie screening. For more information and to register, click here.