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Explanation of the Jewish Calendar

The Jewish Calendar
Explanation of Jewish Holidays
Calendar of Major Jewish Holidays

The Jewish Calendar
This calendar is presented to help schools and employers in developing schedules so that members of the Jewish community will not miss significant opportunities because of their religious obligations. No person should be penalized because of his or her religious observances or beliefs.

This calendar can assist teachers and school administrators in scheduling events and activities such as tests, athletic events, performances, field trips, parent-teacher conferences, graduations, proms and open houses. Businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and legislative bodies may also find this calendar helpful when planning meetings and events.

During major Jewish holidays, work is traditionally prohibited.  Some Jewish individuals will therefore not be at school or places of employment on these days.  Most Jews observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and will be absent these "High Holy Days." Some branches of Judaism observe Rosh Hashanah for one day; others observe it for two days.

Jewish parents and students are asked to let school officials know in advance of planned absences for Jewish holidays. Educators are reminded that students should be given excused absences to meet their religious obligations, and that reasonable accommodations should be made to allow the student to make up lessons and assignments that are missed.

Please note:

• Jewish holidays always begin shortly before sunset the evening before the date noted, and end an hour after sunset on the date noted.
• The observance of Jewish Sabbath begins shortly before sunset each Friday and concludes an hour after sunset on Saturday.
• Jewish holidays fall on different dates each year because the Jewish calendar follows the lunar cycle.

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Explanation of Jewish Holidays

SHABBAT (shah bott'), the Jewish Sabbath, commemorates God's day of rest on the 7th day of creation. It is observed shortly before sunset on Friday to an hour after sunset on Saturday. Shabbat is a day to refrain from work and to spend in rest, prayer, and study for traditional Jews.

ROSH HASHANAH (rosh' hah shah nah') marks the beginning of the Jewish year and begins a ten-day period of prayer and repentance, which ends on Yom Kippur. The holiday may be observed for one or two days.

YOM KIPPUR (yom kee poor') is the most solemn day of the Jewish year, observed by prayer, meditation, and fasting, and asking for God's forgiveness.

SUKKOT (soo kote') is a festival of thanksgiving, marked by erecting booths as Jews did in ancient times during the harvest. It may be observed for seven or eight days, but only the first two and last two days are full holidays. The last day is known as SHEMINI ATZERET (sheh min' ni atz air' et).

SIMCHAT TORAH (sim' chat to' rah) marks the completion of the yearly cycle of reading the first five books of the Bible, known as Torah, or Jewish law, and starting the cycle over again.

CHANUKAH (cha' nu kah), sometimes spelled “Hanukah,” is the eight-night “festival of lights,” marking the rededication of the second Temple after the Jews were victorious against the Syrians in 165 B.C.E.

PURIM (pur' reem) commemorates the rescue of the Jews in ancient Persia from a plot to exterminate them, and celebrates religious freedom.

PESACH (peh' sach), commonly called Passover, commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. It may be observed for seven or eight days, but only the first two and last two days are full holidays. On both of the first two nights, a special dinner called a seder is held to tell the story of the Exodus.

YOM HA’SHOAH (yom' ha show' ah) is a day in memory of the six million Jews killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust.

YOM HA’ATZMAUT (yom' ha atz' ma oot) is Israel Independence Day, celebrating the establishment of Israel in 1948.

SHAVUOT (shah voo ot') commemorates Moses receiving the Torah (law) from God on Mt. Sinai. It is often the day of confirmation (graduation) from weekend religious schools, usually while in the 10th grade in public school. It may be observed for one or two days.

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Calendar of Major Jewish Holidays (2010-2014)

Calendar of Jewish Holidays 2012-2016 (Download PDF)

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