3 minute read
Arts and Culture
Jewish Calendar 101 September - December 2022 | Elul - Tevet 5782-5783*
*Holidays begin at sundown on the evening before and conclude at sundown on the noted day.
Advertisement
High Holidays
September 26-October 18 | 1-23 Tishrei 5783
This holiday is also known as the Ten Days of Awe, where first we celebrate
Rosh HaShanah (September 26-27 |
1-2 Tishrei) – the head of the new year – and greet each other: Shana Tova Umetuka (Have a good and sweet year). It is customary to bake round challah, as a metaphor of the cycle of life, and dip pieces in honey. Ten days later, we observe Yom Kippur (October 5 | 10 Tishrei) – the Day of Atonement – a day of spiritual cleansing where we fast and attend synagogue for an entire day of solemn prayer. Between these two dates, there are 10 days where Jews are called to reflect on their shortcomings and transgressions; a period of introspection. During these days it is customary to go to a body of water (preferably with fish), symbolically cast our sins into the water, and leave our past shortcomings behind us, thereby starting the new year with a clean slate. This ritual is called Tashlich.
Sukkot
October 10-16 | 15-21 Tishrei
Named after the booths or huts (sukkot in Hebrew) where Jews are supposed to dwell during this week-long celebration. According to rabbinic tradition, these flimsy sukkot represent the huts in which the Israelites dwelt during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after escaping from slavery in Egypt. The festival of Sukkot is one of the three great pilgrimage festivals of the Jewish year.
Shmini Atzeret / Simchat Torah
October 17-18 | 22-23 Tishrei
Shmini Atzeret celebrates the last day of Sukkot, while Simchat Torah observes the finishing of the reading of the Torah – the Five Books of Moses – and the immediate beginning of the reading from the first book called Bereshit (Genesis). In this manner, the annual cycle of Torah readings and studying remains unbroken. During this holiday, we dance and joyfully parade with the Torah scrolls in the synagogue.
Chanukah
December 19-26 | 25 Kislev-2 Tevet
During Chanukah, we celebrate Juddah and the Maccabees defeating the Greco-Syrian army in 165 BCE. When the Maccabees regained control of the Temple they only found enough oil to light the menorah for one day, yet it miraculously lasted for eight days. This is why we now light a Chanukiyah (a candelabra with nine branches instead of seven) for eight days. Customs include exchanging gifts, playing dreidel (spin tops), winning or giving gelt (chocolate coins), and eating fried foods such as latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (donuts), and any other fried foods. It is also referred to as the festival of light during the shortest days of the year and the winter solstice.
Sources: myjewishlearning.org and chabad.org
CeLebrate the Jewish Holidays at the JCC!
Welcome Shabbat
September 2 (Welcome Back), October 14 (Sukkot), November 25, September 23 (Rosh HaShanah), December 23 (Chanukah) 10:30-11:00am Everyone is welcome to join us on select Fridays for songs, candle lighting, kiddush, and hamotzi.
Rosh HaShanah Market
September 20-21 | 10:00am-12:00pm and 4:00-8:00pm Experience how Rosh HaShanah is celebrated around the world with fun activities, honey tasting from local Alberta beekeepers, and more!
Truth and Reconciliation Day
Friday, September 30 Experience a day dedicated to Indigenous culture where we honour the land, educate, and raise awareness of the Truth and Reconciliation movement with meaningful activities for all ages.
Sukkah Decorating
Sunday, October 9 | 3:00-5:00pm Join us for an afternoon of arts and crafts, and help decorate our beautiful, community sukkah. All ages are welcome for this free event. Refreshments provided.
Zuppa in the Sukkah
Sunday, October 16 | 12:00-2:00pm Enjoy a hearty soup and sandwich as we celebrate the conclusion of Sukkot. Registration code: 8848 $10 Member | $15 Public | $25 Family of Four
Book Festival
November 27 - December 4 Join us for our annual event and discover new books! Plus, enjoy the authors and activities we have planned.
Chanukah Neon Glow Party
Saturday, December 17 | 6:00 - 8:00pm Light up the night with our FREE festive holiday experience! Watch an LED, neon Circus Show, plus enjoy cookie decorating, crafts, music, and more.
