Jewish Holidays are based on the months of the Jewish Calendar. Holiday dates through 2009 are on each Holiday page. Go to that page, and simply click the link on top for the dates.

As the first month of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah launches the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah literally means, "head of the year." This High Holy Day is a time to look at our mistakes of the past year and to plan the changes we wish to make.

Yom Kippur, on the 10th day of Tishri, is perhaps the most significant Jewish holiday. Many who do not follow other Jewish rituals do not work, fast and/or attend services. Translated, Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement. The High Holy Day is what its name says it is. We set this day aside to atone for our sins of the past year.

From one of the most solemn holidays to one of the most joyous, Sukkot begins on Tishri 15, the fifth day after Yom Kippur. So wholeheartedly joyful is Sukkot, it is referred to the Season of our Rejoicing. Sukkot commemorates the 40 period when Israel wandered the desert in provisional dwellings and because of the time of year is a harvest festival..

Best known as the Festival of Lights, Chanukah is an eight day celebration of rededication beginning on the 25th day of Kislev. Chanukah is rooted in the suppression of Judaism and a revolt against assimilation, it has become the most assimilated, material holiday on the Jewish calendar.

Purim, a most joyous and fun Jewish holiday, remembers when Jews living in Persia were saved from annihilation. Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, usually in March. The 13th is the day Haman chose for the massacre. On the 14th, Jews celebrated. Purim is always one month before Passover.

Passover is the holiday observed even by the most number of Jews, even the typically non-observant. Pesach begins on the 15th day of Nissan. Passover represents the beginning of harvest season. We give most of our attention to the biblical/historical implications from our Exodus from Egypt and slavery.

The Torah obligates us to count seven weeks from the second night of Passover to Shavu'ot. We call this period the Counting of the Omer. Every night, from the second night of Passover to the night before Shavu'ot, we recite a blessing and state the count of the omer in both weeks and days. The counting reminds us that Passover, which memorializes the Exodus, and Shavu'ot, which remembers the giving of the Torah, are connected. We remember that our redemption was not complete until we received the Torah.

During Shavu’ot, we celebrate the giving of the Torah. Shavu'ot is tied to a counting from Passover. While Passover freed us from physical bondage, the giving of the Torah redeemed our souls. Sages call attention to the fact that we receive the Torah every day. This is the time it was given to us. It is the gift not the receipt that we celebrate on Shavu’ot.