Jewish Holiday Guide

Let’s Celebrate!

The JCC Book of Jewish Holidays and Celebrations

Shabbat

Significance: The Jewish Sabbath Observances: Lighting Candles, Going to Synagogue Length: Friday Sundown to Saturday Sundown Customs: Traditional Shabbat Dinner Greeting: Shabbat Shalom Pronounce it: Sha Bat Sha Lom Hebrew name means: Sabbath (Day of Rest) What's It About? The Sabbath (or Shabbat, as it is called in Hebrew) is one of the best known and least understood of all Jewish observances. People who do not observe Shabbat think of it as a day filled with stifling restrictions, or as a day of prayer like the Christian Sabbath. But to those who observe Shabbat, it is a precious gift from G-d, a day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout the week, a time when we can set aside all of our weekday concerns and devote ourselves to higher pursuits. In Jewish literature, poetry and music, Shabbat is described as a bride or queen, as in the popular Shabbat hymn Lecha Dodi Likrat Kallah (come, my beloved, to meet the Sabbath bride). It is said "more than Israel has kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept Israel."

Shabbat is the most important ritual observance in Judaism. It is the only ritual observance instituted in the Ten Commandments. It is also the most important special day. This is clear from the fact that more aliyot (opportunities for congregants to be called up to the Torah) are given on Shabbat than on any other day.

Shabbat is primarily a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. The word "Shabbat" comes from the root Shin-Beit-Tav, meaning to cease, to end, or to rest. Shabbat involves two interrelated commandments: to remember (zakhor) Shabbat, and to observe (shamor) Shabbat.

Foods: challah, wine for prayer, roasted chicken dinner, slow- cooked cholent stew Symbols of Holiday: Day of rest, to remember and to observe, kiddush cup, challah and candles

Shabbat and Childrens Prayer

Shabbat:

The candles are lit before the blessing is recited.

Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu, melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat.

Blessing over the wine for Shabbat:

Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech Haolam, borei p'ri hagafen.

Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'ratzah vanu, v'Shabbat kodsho, b'ahavah uv'ratzon hinchilanu, zikaron l'maaseih v'reishit.

Ki hu yom t'chilah l'mikra-ei kodesh, zecher litziat Mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta, v'otanu kidashta, mikol haamim. V'Shabbat kodsh'cha, b'ahavah uv'ratzon hinchaltanu.

Baruch atah, Adonai, m'kadeish HaShabbat.

Say this blessing before eating bread (challah) at the beginning of a meal on Shabbat:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, Hamotzi lechem min haaretz.

Our praise to You, Eternal our G-d, Sovereign of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

Blessing Over Children:

Y'varechecha Adonai V'yish'm'recha. Ya'er Adonai panav eilecha vichuneka.

Yisa Adonai panav eilecha v'yasem l'cha shalom.

May God Bless you and guard you.

May the light of God shine upon you, and may God be gracious to you.

May the presence of God be with you and give you peace.

Challah 1 tsp. sugar ½ cup warm water 1 pkg. yeast ½ cup oil ½ cup warm water ¼ cup sugar 2 tsp. salt 2 eggs 3 ½ to 4 cups flour poppy or sesame seeds 1 egg beaten with 1 tsp. water Dissolve sugar in ½ cup warm water in a large mixing bowl which has first been rinsed with hot water. Sprinkle yeast on top and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir to dissolve. Combine with oil, warm water, sugar, salt, eggs and half of the flour. Beat well. Stir in remaining flour. Dough should be sticky. Cover dough and let rest for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a floured board and knead for 10 minutes, adding flour as needed.

Round up in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk, about 1½ to 2 hours. Punch down, cover and let rise again until double, about 45 minutes.

Divide dough into 3 equal parts. (If you want to make 2 smaller challahs, first divide dough in half, then divide each half into 3 equal parts.) Shape into strands. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and braid loosely. Fasten ends securely. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until double. Brush with beaten egg yolk and sprinkle with seeds. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, until golden brown. (If making 2 smaller challahs, baking time will be about 25 minutes).

Rosh Hashanah

Significance: New Year Observances: Sounding the shofar (ram's horn trumpet) Length: 1-2 Days (based on religious affiliation) Customs: Dipping apples in honey; Casting off "sins" into a river Greeting: L'shanah tovah! (For a good year!)

Pronounce it: Some say rashashanuh (as if it’s one word) and some Rosh ha-shah-nah.

Hebrew name means: Head of the year—idiomatically, New Year.

When it is: Sundown on Elul 29 – Sundown on Tishri 2 What's It About? The holiday celebrates the beginning of the Jewish Calendar.

The holiday is a time to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the coming year, as we listen to the shofar and celebrate the creation of the world.

Foods: Apples and honey, round challah, honey or apple cake, pomegranates, the head of the fish.

Activities: Many Jews who never show up to synagogue the rest of the year go for the marathon of synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Together, these two holidays are known as the High Holidays. One special activity that they don't want to miss is the sounding of the shofar. Many Jews send New Year's cards for this holiday. Probably the most important activity associated with this holiday comes between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: trying to repair relationships and make apologies if someone “hurt” another person in the previous year.

Symbols of Holiday: The shofar or ram's horn, apples and honey, pomegranates, the Book of Life.

Greeting: You can say Happy New Year, or try the Hebrew version, Shanah Tovah. If you want to give a more complete version of the greeting, try L'shanah tovah tikatevu, May you be inscribed for a good year.

Yom Kippur

Significance: Day of Atonement Observances: Fasting, Prayer and Repentance Length: 25 Hours Customs: A fast day of prayer and collective confession.

Pronounce it: Some say yohm kee-poor, and some yohm kipper.

Hebrew name means: Day of Atonement.

When it is: 10th day of Tishrei What's It About? A fast day of prayer and collective confession.

Foods: None. It's a fast day! Well, families do have traditions about what to eat when the fast is over, a dairy meal, but there's nothing universal. Children under age 13 and other people whose health might be harmed don't fast.

Activities: Spending the day in synagogue in prayer. For a lot of Jews who aren't very observant, Yom Kippur is special because it's the day they go to memorial services, called Yizkor, to honor deceased relatives.

Symbols of Holiday: White clothing, sneakers worn with dress clothes (because leather is prohibited). We are supposed to afflict ourselves to demonstrate the extent of our regret for our past misdeeds. The Rabbis determined that affliction means that we are to deny ourselves of certain luxuries, including wearing leather footwear. Traditionally leather shoes were considered a comfort.

Greeting: You can say Happy New Year or "have an meaningful fast." Some say Shanah Tovah, which is Hebrew for Happy New Year. The more targeted greeting for Yom Kippur is Gamar hatimah tovah--a good completion to your inscription in the book of life

Sukkot Significance: Remembers the wandering in the desert; also a harvest festival Observances: Building and "dwelling" in a booth; waving branches and a fruit during services Length: 7 days Customs: There is also a ritual involving blessing and waving the four species (Arbaat Minim) etrog—a citron—and the lulav—a palm branch bound with myrtle (Hadas) and willow (Arava). With these four species in hand, one recites a blessing and waves the species in all six directions (east, south, west, north, up and down), symbolizing the fact that G-d is everywhere.

Greeting: Hag Sameah (Happy holiday). Or if you are really sophisticated, Moadim l'simcha, which means "festivals for joy."

Pronounce it: Some say sue coat and some say sukkiss.

Hebrew name means: refers to the temporary booths that people lived in during this holiday in memory of the period of wandering.

When it is: Tishrei 11-14 What's It About? Sukkot lasts for seven days. The two days following the festival, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, are separate holidays but are related to Sukkot and are commonly thought of as part of Sukkot.

Foods: Big Sumptuous meals Activities: Before the holiday, communities and some individual families build a sukkah or hut in the back yard or on the back porch. The sukkah is open to the elements. During the holiday an important activity is eating in the sukkah.

Symbols of Holiday: Etrog (citron) and lulav (a palm branch bound with myrtle (Hadas) and willow (Arava).

Greeting: Hag Sameah (Happy Holiday). Or if you are really sophisticated, Moadim l'simcha, which means "festivals for joy."

Prayers for Sukkot:

Before making kiddush or eating a meal in the sukkah, recite the following blessing: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu leishev ba-sukkah.

The lulav is held up in the right hand, and the etrog is held pitom end (pointy side) down in the left hand. Facing east, recite the blessing. Then turn the etrog up and shake the entire bundle three times in each of six directions: straight ahead, right, back, left, up and down.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al n'tilat lulav.

Our praise to You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of all: whose mitzvot teaches us holiness and who instructs us to take up the lulav.

Shemini Atzeret Simchat Torah

Significance: A follow-up to Sukkot; the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings Observances: Singing and Dancing Length: 2 days (Some: 1 day) Customs: Limited "dwelling" in the sukkah; dancing and rejoicing with Torah scrolls.

Greeting: Hag sameach (Happy holiday), Moadim l'simcha, which means "festivals for joy."

Hebrew name means: the assembly of the eighth day When it is: Tishri 22, the day after the seventh day of Sukkot, is the holiday Shemini Atzeret. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret is also the holiday of Simchat Torah.

Outside of Israel, where extra days of holidays are sometimes held, sometimes the second day of Shemini Atzeret is Simchat Torah: Shemini Atzeret is Tishri 22 and Simchat Torah is Tishri 23.

What's It About? At the end of Sukkot, there is one more holiday to celebrate finishing the reading of the Torah scroll for the year and starting it over again.

Foods: No specific special food, just more big sumptuous meals.

Activities: This is a synagogue holiday with another really long service, but in the middle of it, people get up, process through their building with the scrolls and then dance with them. The more traditional they are, the crazier they get with the dancing. It's also a chance to honor a lot of people by calling them up to make blessings on the Torah. There is a reading from the end of the scroll—the death of Moses—and another from the beginning--the creation of the world. In some congregations the assembled people unroll the Torah scroll and stand in the middle of the parchment before they start the cycle again.

Symbols of Holiday: The Torah scroll, flags that children carry, dancing people.

Chanukah

Significance: Remembers the rededication of the Temple after it was defiled by the Greeks.

Observances: Lighting Candles.

Length: 8 days Customs: eating fried foods; playing with a dreidel, lighting chanukiah.

Greeting: Happy Chanukah!

Pronounce it: han uk ah Hebrew name means: Dedication When it is: Starts the 25th day of kislev What's It About? Chanukah is an 8-day holiday that commemorates the Jewish recapture and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE. The only religious observance related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. The candles are arranged in a candelabrum called chanukkiah that holds nine candles: one for each night, plus a shammus (servant) at a different height. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings) are recited . Each night, another candle is added from right to left (like the Hebrew language) and two berakhot (blessings) are recited. Candles are lit from left to right (because you pay honor to the newer thing first). On the eighth night, all nine candles (the 8 Chanukah candles and the shammus) are lit. The only traditional gift of the holiday is "gelt," small amounts of money or chocolate. Another tradition of the holiday is playing dreidel, a gambling game played with a square top. A dreidel is marked with four Hebrew letters: Nun, Gimel, Hei and Shin. These letters stand for the Hebrew phrase "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham", a great miracle happened there, referring to the miracle of the oil. In Israel, a dreidel is marked with the hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Hei and Pei. These letters stand for the hebrew phrase "Nes Gadol Hayah ?????�, a great miracle happened here. In America the tradition is to give gifts, one gift a night for eight days.

Foods: Fried foods, especially potato pancakes, called latkes or levivot, jelly doughnuts called sufganiyot and chocolate coins.

Activities: The main observance is lighting the candles in a ceremonial lamp called a chanukiah. Playing with a top called a dreidel is another fun tradition. Chanukah is a minor holiday in the sense that there is no requirement to abstain from work.

Symbols of Holiday: chanukiah, candles, dreidel, sufganiyot.

Chanukah The story of Chanukkah begins in the reign of Alexander the Great. Alexander conquered Syria, Egypt and Palestine, but allowed the lands under his control to continue observing their own religions and retain a certain degree of autonomy. Under this relatively benevolent rule, many Jews assimilated much of Hellenistic culture, adopting the language, the customs and the dress of the Greeks.

More than a century later, a successor of Alexander, Antiochus IV was in control of the region. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs (a non-kosher animal) on the altar. Two groups opposed Antiochus: a basically nationalistic group led by Mattathias the Hasmonean and his son Judah Maccabee, and a religious traditionalist group known as the Chasidim, the forerunners of the Pharisees (no direct connection to the modern movement known as Chasidism). They joined forces in a revolt against both the assimilation of the Hellenistic Jews and oppression by the Seleucid Greek government. The revolution succeeded and the Temple was rededicated.

According to tradition as recorded in the Talmud, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. Oil was needed for the menorah (candelabrum) in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the night every night. There was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil for the menorah. An eight day festival was declared to commemorate this miracle.

Prayers

Candles are added to the chanukiyah (menorah) from right to left but are kindled from left to right. The newest candle is lit first. (On the Shabbat of chanukah, kindle the chanukah lights first and then the Shabbat candles.)

Light the shamash (the helper candle) first, using it to kindle the rest of the chanukkah lights. As you do, say or sing: Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tsivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

Blessed are You, Adonai our G-d, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the chanukkah lights.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v'imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu laz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

Sufganiyot

For 10-12 donuts, depending how large you make them: 1 ¾ cup flour ⅓ cup warm milk 2 tablespoons sugar 1 egg 2 tablespoons butter ½ tablespoon vanilla ½ teaspoon lemon peel (zest of ¼ lemon) ½ teaspoon yeast oil for deep frying Mix together all the ingredients, and let rise until doubled in bulk — at this cold time of year, you might want to do so in a lightly heated oven (turn the oven on for 2-3 minutes, turn off, then insert the bowl with the dough). Otherwise, you’ll be waiting until Purim for your donuts!

Punch down, knead lightly and break into walnut-sized balls. Arrange on an oiled sheet to rise again (or, for the pedantic, on little squares of baking paper so you can lift them without ruining their perfect round exteriors). Wait until they double in size. Heat enough oil to deep-fry the donuts in a wok or some other pot you want to season (because scrubbing oil residue off your spotless stainless steel is a pain). The oil needs to be deep enough that the donuts can float halfway emerged without touching the bottom of the pot.

Once the oil is between 150 to 160 degrees Celsius, drop in your first batch of donuts, let brown on the bottom, flip, let brown on the top, and then remove to a paper towel to soak up excess oil. This temperature should let the donuts fry somewhat slowly, so that the heat penetrates to the inside and bakes them throughout basically, if they’re instantly browning, this means you’re going to have raw interiors (or blackened exteriors). If you don’t have a thermometer 300 is the temperature at which bubbles will gently start coming off the sides of a donut dropped into the oil.) Eat as soon as the donuts are cool enough to touch.

Apple Latkes

2 eggs, well beaten 1 ½ cups orange juice, yogurt or milk 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder Dash of salt ¼ - ½ cup sugar depending on taste 3 medium apples, peeled and coarsely grated Vegetable oil for frying Confectioner’s sugar Makes approximately 36 latkes

Mix eggs with orange juice, yogurt, or milk in a bowl.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add dry ingredients to the egg mixture along wiht the grated apples. Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet.

Allowing 1 large tablespoon of batter per latke or pancake , drop into the hot oil. Cook about 2 minutes on each side, or untol slightly golden.

Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar, and serve.

Tu B’shevat

Significance: The "new year" for calculating the age of trees Length: 1 day Customs: Eating fruit or the Seven Species; planting trees in Israel. One custom is to eat a new fruit on this day, or to eat from the Seven Species (shivat haminim) described in the Bible as being abundant in the land of Israel. The Shivat Haminim are: wheat, barley, grapes (vines), figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Some people plant trees on this day. In the 16th century, kabbalists, developed a seder ritual conceptually similar to the Pesach (Passover Greeting: Hag sameah (Happy holiday), Moadim l'simcha, which means "festivals for joy."

Hebrew name means: 15th day of Hebrew month of Shvat. Also known as the New Year for Trees. or birthday for the trees. The word "Tu" is not really a word; it is the number 15 in Hebrew, Tu B'Shevat is the new year for the purpose of calculating the age of trees for tithing.

When it is: 15th day of Shevat What's It About? When the Temple in Jerusalem was still standing, Jews offered the first fruits of their trees on the Shavuot holiday. The trees had to be at least four years old, and this date was for figuring out the age of the trees. You could call it the official tree birthday. These days it's a great time to think about trees and the environment.

Activities: Many ordinary Jews have reclaimed the mystical practice of the Tu Bishvat Seder, or ritual meal—a great opportunity to explore environmentalist themes in Judaism. Another practice is to plant trees. This is a minor holiday in that there is no traditional obligation not to work.

Purim

Significance: Remembers the defeat of a plot to exterminate the Jews Observances: Public reading of the Book of Esther while "blotting out" the villain's name Length: 1 day Customs: Costume parties; drinking; eating fruit-filled triangular cookie Pronounce it: Poor um Hebrew name means: Lots. In which the villain Haman draws lots to set the date for the Jews' destruction.

When it is: Adar 14 What's It About? Celebration of a narrow escape from genocide described in the biblical Book of Esther.

Foods: Triangular pastries called hamantashen, named for Haman, the bad guy in the Book of Esther.

Activities: On Purim we read the Book of Esther, wear costumes, eat triangular cookies and other treats, and use noisemakers. It's also traditional to give money to charity, send anonymous packages of goodies to your friends (called mishloach manot ) . This is a minor holiday in that there is no traditional obligation not to work.

Symbols of Holiday: Masks, costumes, noisemakers called graggers, hamantashen Greeting: Happy Purim! "Purim Sameah," which means "happy Purim.

The Book of Esther

The story of Purim is told in the Biblical book of Esther.

The heroes of the story are Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia, and her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as if she were his daughter. Esther was taken to the house of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, to become part of his harem. King Ahasuerus loved Esther more than his other women and made Esther queen, but the king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because Mordecai told her not to reveal her identity.

The villain of the story is Haman, an arrogant, egotistical advisor to the king.

Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, so Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people. In a speech that is all too familiar to Jews, Haman told the king, "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your realm. Their laws are different from those of every other people's, and they do not observe the king's laws; therefore it is not befitting the king to tolerate them.".

The king gave the fate of the Jewish people to Haman, to do as he pleased to them. Haman planned to exterminate all of the Jews. Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. This was a dangerous thing for Esther to do, because anyone who came into the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned. Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself, then went into the king.

He welcomed her. Later, she told him of Haman's plot against her people.

The word "Purim" means "lots" and refers to the lottery that Haman used to choose the date for the massacre. The Purim holiday is preceded by a minor fast, the Fast of Esther, which commemorates Esther's three days of fasting in preparation for her meeting with the king.

The Grager

The primary commandment related to Purim is to hear the reading of the book of Esther. The book of Esther is commonly known as the Megillah, which means scroll. Although there are five books of Jewish scripture that are properly referred to as megillahs (Esther, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations), this is the one people usually mean when they speak of the Megillah.

It is customary to boo, hiss, stamp feet and rattle gragers (noisemakers) whenever the name of Haman is mentioned in the service. The purpose of this custom is to "blot out the name of Haman."

Hamentaschen ½ c vegetable shortening ½ c butter or margarine 1 ¼ c sugar 3 eggs ¼ c orange juice 1 ½ t. vanilla 2 ½ c flour ½ t salt 2 ½ t baking powder Fillings of choice (traditionally apricot or raspberry jam, prune, poppy seed, chocolate chips or Israeli chocolate spread) 1. Cream shortening, butter and sugar together. Add the eggs and blend until smooth.

2 . Stir in the orange juice and vanilla. Fold in the flour, salt and baking powder.

Mix to make a firm but soft dough. Pat dough into a smooth disc, cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.

3. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Divide the dough into 2 or 3 flattened discs and work with one portion at a time.

4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured board to a thickness of 1/8 ". Us a 3" cookie cutter and cut as many rounds as you can. Brush the rounds with egg wash (1 egg plus 1 egg yolk whisked with 1-2 T water and a pinch of sugar).

5. Fill with a generous teaspoonful of filling. Draw the 3 sides together. Brush with additional egg wash.

6. Bake in the center of the preheated overn for 18 to 25 min. until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets.

7. Note: You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate, wrapped in plastic, for up to 2 days or frozen (either in the dough form or the finished cookies) for a couple of months. If refrigerating, allow the dough to warm up before rolling out.

Passover Significance: Remembers the Exodus from Egypt Observances: Avoiding all leavened grain products and related foods; Family or communal retelling of the Exodus story Length: 8 days (Some: 7 days) Customs: The cleaning of the home of all chametz in preparation for Pesach. The grain product we eat during Pesach is called matzah. Matzah is unleavened bread, made simply from flour and water and cooked very quickly. This is the bread that the Jews made for their flight from Egypt.

On the first two nights of Pesach, we have a special family meal filled with ritual to remind us of the significance of the holiday. This meal is called a seder, from a Hebrew root word meaning "order," because there is a specific set of information that must be discussed in a specific order.

The text of the Pesach seder is written in a book called the haggadah. The haggadah tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt and explains some of the practices and symbols of the holiday.

Greeting: It's fine to say "Happy Pesach" or "Happy Passover." Some people say "Hag Sameah v' kasher"—have a happy and kosher holiday.

Hebrew name means: Pesach means Passover. It refers to Exodus, when G-d passed over the Israelites.

When it is: Nissan 15-22 What's It About? The name "Pesach" comes from the Hebrew meaning “to pass through”, “to pass over”, “to exempt” or “to spare”. It refers to the fact that G-d "passed over" the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn in Egypt.

There is a seder plate on the Passover table. The six parts of the seder plate: Beitzah: The Roasted Egg is symbolic of the festival sacrifice and is also a symbol of spring. Chazeret: Lettuce is often used in addition to the maror as a bitter herb.

Zeroa: The Shankbone is symbolic of the Paschal lamb offered as the Passover sacrifice in biblical times. Vegetarian households may use beets. Charoset: Apple, nuts, and spices ground together and mixed with wine are symbolic of the mortar used by Hebrew slaves to build Egyptian structures. Karpas: Parsley is dipped into salt water during the seder. The salt water serves as a reminder of the tears shed during Egyptian slavery. Maror: Bitter Herbs (usually horseradish) symbolize the bitterness of Egyptian slavery.

Foods: Traditionally, Jews eat no bread on Passover, and instead eat matzah, an unleavened bread. There are many food traditions that spring from this, including all the many foods made of ground matzah.

Activities: Don't eat bread or other leavened foods and have a big holiday meal called a seder where they retell the “Haggadah”, the story of the Exodus from Egypt.

This is a major holiday.

Symbols of Holiday: Matzah, eggs, horseradish root, salt water, nuts, haroset, parsley, shankbone and gefilte fish.

Apple Matzoh Cake

INGREDIENTS Nonstick spray 3 large eggs, separated, plus 3 large yolks 2/3 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt 3 cups grated Granny Smith apples (from 6 peeled apples), squeezed dry 1 cup matzo meal 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest 1 tablespoon plum brandy, such as Slivovitz, or regular brandy 2 tablespoons honey 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat an 8-inch springform pan with nonstick spray. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 6 egg yolks, sugar, and salt until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Fold in apples, matzo meal, lemon zest, and brandy.

2.In another medium bowl, with clean beaters, beat 3 egg whites until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. With a rubber spatula, gently fold egg whites into apple mixture and transfer batter to pan. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with pecans. Bake until golden brown and set in center, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cake cool completely in pan on a wire rack. To serve, run a small knife around edge of pan, remove cake, and slice.

3.Store cooled cake in pan, covered with plastic, at room temperature, up to 1 day

Charroset Standard Ashkenazi (Eastern European)

3 medium Gala or Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced 1 ½ cups walnut halves, lightly toasted, cooled, and coarsely chopped ½ cup sweet red wine such as Manischewitz Extra Heavy Malaga 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar In large bowl, stir together all ingredients. Store, covered, at room temperature until ready to serve.

Sephardic

(Spain and Portugal)

This fusion of many Sephardic recipes makes an extremely realistic "mortar." The nuts and spices can be varied to suit individual tastes.

1 lb. unpitted dates Water ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ - ⅓ cup Kosher red wine or grape juice Remove dates from package and put into saucepan, separating the dates. Add water till it reaches up to ⅔ of the dates. Push dates down into the water with the back of a spoon. Bring to a boil (do not use a high flame as it will scorch the dates) lower to a simmer and continue cooking for 10 minutes. Crush the dates with the back of a spoon and allow to cool.

When dates are cool put them in a food processor or blender. If you have non of this equipement use a potato masher and mash or process the dates till they are a paste consistency.

Add the cinnamon and wine/grape juice, mixing till the paste has a consistency of a dip You can add ¼ cup of coarsely chopped walnuts.

Yom Ha-Shoah Significance: Holocaust Remembrance Day Observances: Lighting Candles, praying Length: 1 Day Pronounce it: Yom Hash Ho Ah Hebrew name means: Holocaust When it is: 27th day of Nissan What's It About? A Memorial Day for those who died in the Holocaust Activities: People traditionally go to a service in synagogue or a community event remembering those who were lost in the Holocaust.

Yom Ha-Zikkaron Yom

Israeli Memorial Day, observed on Iyar 4, remembers those who died in the War of Independence and other wars in Israel. Unlike American Memorial Day, this is a very serious, solemn day in Israel because so many people have lost immediate relatives or close friends in Israel's wars.

Yom Yerushalayim The 28th day of Iyar commemorates the reunification of the city of Jerusalem in Israeli hands. According to some views, the restrictions of the Omer period are lifted for this day.

Yom Ha’atzmaut Significance: Israeli Independence Day Observances: Celebration of Israel Length: 1 Day Customs: Parties in the streets of Israel, flags Pronounce it: Yom Hat Z Moot Hebrew name means: When it is: 5th day of Iyar What's It About? Israeli Independence Day, marking the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. According to some views, the restrictions of the Omer period are lifted for this day. A few anti-Zionist Jews observe this day as a day of mourning for the sin of proclaiming the state of Israel without the Messiah.

Activities: Parties of celebration Symbols of Holiday: Israeli Flag

Lag B’Omer

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Significance: Connects Pesach (Exodus) to Shavu'ot (giving of the Torah) Observances: Count the number of days every night Length: One Day Customs: According to the Torah, we are obligated to count the days from Passover to Shavu'ot. This period is known as the Counting of the Omer. An omer is a bundle. On the second day of Passover, in the days of the Temple, an omer of barley was cut down and brought to the Temple as an offering. This grain offering was referred to as 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 is intended to remind us of the link between Passover, which commemorates the Exodus, and Shavu'ot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah. It reminds us that the redemption from slavery was not complete until we received the Torah.

Hebrew name means: the number 33 When it is: Iyar 18 What's It About? This period is a time of partial mourning, during which weddings, parties, and dinners with dancing are not conducted, in memory of a plague during the lifetime of Rabbi Akiba. Haircuts during this time are also forbidden. On the 33rd day of the Omer (the eighteenth of Iyar) all restrictions are lifted.

Activities: Songs and feasts, bonfire, picnics and parties

Shavuot

Significance: Remembers the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai; also a harvest festival- marks the conclusion of counting of the Omer.

Observances: Studying Torah Length: 2 days (Some: 1 day) Customs: Eating dairy foods Pronounce it: Sha vu oot Hebrew name means: Festival of weeks When it is: 6th day of Silvan What's It About? Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, is the second of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Passover and Sukkot). Agriculturally, it commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple, and is known as Hag ha-Bikkurim (the Festival of the First Fruits). Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and is also known as Hag Matan Torateinu (the Festival of the Giving of Our Torah).

Foods: Eating dairy Foods Symbols of Holiday: The giving of the Torah on Shavuot redeemed us spiritually from our bondage to idolatry and immorality.

Cheesecake

1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 3 Tbsp. sugar 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted 4 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 4 eggs Heat oven to 325°F. Combine graham crumbs, 3 Tbsp. sugar and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust. Bake 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.

2018 Jewish Holiday Dates

Purim Passover Yom Ha’Shoah Yom Ha’Zikaron Yom Ha’Atzmaut Lag B’Omer Shavout Tisha B’Av Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Sukkot Chanukah

March 1 March 31- April 7 April 12 April 18 April 19 May 3 May 21 July 22 Sept. 10 Sept. 19 Sept. 24-25 Dec. 3-10

14 Adar 15-22 Nisan 27 Nisan 3 Iyyar 4 Iyyar 18 Iyyar 6 Sivan 10 Av 1 Tishri 10 Tishri 15 Tishri 25 Kislev

Celebrate at the J Blaustein Early Childhood Registration 2018-2019 Ongoing

February Marilyn Simon Rothstein, Lift & Separate: Thursday, February 22 Family Purim Carnival: Sunday, February 25

March Mah Jongg Tournament: Sunday, March 18 A Night to Celebrate Israel: Wednesday, March 21 WishMakers, Story of Tulip Winery (Film): Sunday, March 25

April Mimuna Celebration: Sunday, April 8 Yom Hashoah Observance: Wednesday, April 11 Visiting Scholar Rachel Korazin: Thursday April 19 Yom Ha’Atzmaut Community Celebration: Sunday, April 22 Francine Klagsburn, Lioness, Golda Meir and the Nation of Israel: Sunday, April 22 Phoenix Schneider, Support the LGBTQ Community: Wednesday, April 25 Beer Festival: Saturday, April 28 5K: Sunday, April 29

May Danielle Capalino, Healthy Gut, Flat Stomach: Thursday, May 10 Spring Fling Dance for Adults with Special Needs: Saturday, May 12

June

Golf & Tennis Tournament: Monday, June 4 Annual Meeting: Tuesday, June 12 Camp Ruach Begins! Monday, June 25