All holy days begin the preceding sundown

ROSH HA'SHANAH (NEW YEAR)
September 9-10, 2010
The Jewish New Year occurs in the autumn as the year's harvest comes, to an end. This two-day holiday is most specifically a time for reflection and self-assessment for the community and for individuals. The process of self-assessment is directed at attaining a greater awareness of how to be a truly good person, doing the best for one's self and for humanity. It is a time for promoting universal peace and well-being. It is, as well, a period of joyous celebration of creation. As such, the New Year period has both solemn and joyous aspects.

YOM KIPPUR (DAY OF ATONEMENT)
Saturday, September 18, 2010
This process of self-assessment and reflection, which begins at the New Year, culminates in the Day of Atonement. Marked by fasting and an extended synagogue service, this is a day of special holiness on which severe limitations on the normal daily routine apply. The general restrictions on work, as described for the Sabbath, apply on the New Year and Day of Atonement as well.

SUKKOT (FEAST OF BOOTHS)
September 23-24, 2010
Sukkot is a joyous festival celebrating God's bountiful harvest. At the same time, we pray for productive harvests in the year to come and for God?s bounty being shared with all humanity. Various colourful rituals mark this nine-day festival. During the first two days and the last two days, Sabbath-like restrictions on work apply. The final day of the festival, Simchat Torah, is a particularly joyous occasion which marks the conclusion of the synagogue reading of the Torah (Pentateuch) and the immediate recommencement of its reading, completed through the reading of portions throughout the year.

SHEMINI AZERET
Thursday September 30, 2010

SIMCHAT TORAH
Friday, October 1, 2010

PASSOVER (FESTIVAL OF LIBERATION)
April 19, 20, 25, 26 2011
Passover commemorates the miraculous escape of the Jews from the clutches of the Egyptian Pharaoh, Rameses II over 3,000 years ago. Traditionally celebrated for 8 days (7 for Reform Jews), Passover always begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan.

SHAVUOT
June 8, 9, 2011

Shavuot has several names: Chag HaShavuot (the Festival of Weeks); Chag HaKatzir (the Festival of the Harvest); Yom HaBikurim (the Day of First Fruits); and Chag Mattan Torah (the Holiday of the Giving of the Torah).

 
CHANUKAH (FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS)
December 12-19, 2009
This early-winter celebration commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over Hellenistic Greek oppressors in the 2nd century before the Common Era. The Maccabean battles were fought to establish the principles of religious pluralism and the acceptance of the rights of religious and ethnic minorities to live according to their traditional ways in the context of a larger and dominant culture. This eight-day festival is marked by special home and synagogue observances, and no restrictions on the normal work routine apply.

TU B'SHEVAT (THE NEW YEAR FOR TREES) January 30, 2010

Tu B'Shevat, the 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar is the day that marks the beginning of a "New Year for Trees."

  

PURIM (FESTIVAL OF JOY) February 27 - March 1, 2010

Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from the wicked Haman in the days of Queen Esther of Persia.

 

TISHA B’AV (FAST OF NINTH DAY OF AV)
July 30, 2009
In mid-summer, Jews observe the anniversary of the destruction of the ancient Temple which stood in Jerusalem as the focus for ancient Jewish ritual experience. Still today, Jews turn towards the direction of Jerusalem when in prayer. Traditional Jews mark the day with a fast of 25 hours, from sunset to the following day's nightfall, with prayers of mourning and with limitations on usual work-day involvements.