Holidays in Greater Washington
Celebrate the Jewish Year Together
Purim to Passover
Celebrate courage and freedom with Purim parties, megillah readings, Passover seders, and family resources.
Learn more about Purim and Passover:
Yamim
Across three Israeli and Jewish holidays that fall back-to-back—often referred to collectively as the Yamim—we move from remembrance to reflection to celebration, marking a powerful journey in Jewish and Israeli life.
- Yom HaShoah honors the memory of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust through commemorations, survivor testimony, and educational programs that bear witness and ensure their stories are never forgotten.
- Yom HaZikaron honors Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism with national mourning, ceremonies, and moments of silence that recognize loss, sacrifice, and the cost of a Jewish state.
- Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrates Israel’s independence with music, food, culture, and community gatherings that highlight resilience, creativity, and the ongoing story of the Jewish people—an expression of renewal that follows directly from the profound loss of the days before.
Yamim Resources
Yom HaShoah:
- PJ Library: How to Discuss Yom HaShoah With Children
- MyJewishLearning: Yom Hashoah: Holocaust Memorial Day
Yom HaZikaron:
Celebrate the birthday of the trees with rituals and programs that honor nature, sustainability, and renewal—through fruit tastings, outdoor activities, and learning for all ages.
Learn more about Tu B’Shevat:
Mark a joyful pause in the Omer with bonfires, outdoor gatherings, music, and community programs that highlight resilience and connection.
Learn more about Lag B’Omer:
Pause to reflect and remember with readings, learning, and community programs that explore loss, resilience, and the enduring strength of the Jewish people.
Learn more about Tisha B’Av:
The High Holidays
Reflect, reconnect, and renew your spirit with community events for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah.
And sweeten the New Year with Sunflower Bakery’s Rosh Hashanah treats—round challahs, honey cakes, and more.
High Holiday Resources
You may come across Hebrew words and phrases as you explore the High Holidays. Here are a few you might find helpful:
- Elul: The Hebrew month before Rosh Hashanah, traditionally a time for reflection and preparation for the High Holidays
- Lulav and etrog: A palm branch and citron used with myrtle and willow as the Four Species during Sukkot
- Machzor: A prayer book used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
- Neilah: The concluding prayer service of Yom Kippur
- Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year and a time for reflection, renewal, and the sounding of the shofar
- Selichot: Prayers focused on forgiveness and repentance recited in preparation for and during the High Holidays
- Shemini Atzeret: A Jewish festival immediately following the seven days of Sukkot, traditionally marked by prayer, including a prayer for rain
- Shofar: A ram’s horn sounded during the High Holiday season, particularly on Rosh Hashanah
- Simchat Torah: A celebration marking the completion of the annual Torah-reading cycle and its beginning again
- Sukkah: A temporary outdoor structure traditionally used for meals and gathering during Sukkot
- Sukkot: A weeklong Jewish festival associated with the fall harvest and the tradition of dwelling in a sukkah
- Tashlich: A Rosh Hashanah ritual of symbolically casting away wrongdoing, traditionally performed near a body of flowing water
- Teshuvah: Literally “return”; the process of recognizing wrongdoing, taking responsibility, making amends, and choosing to act differently
- Yizkor: A memorial prayer recited in remembrance of loved ones who have died
- Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement, devoted to repentance, reflection, and prayer and traditionally observed with fasting
Make space for reflection, renewal, and meaningful preparation as the High Holidays approach.
- Elul Reflections • Explore reflections designed to inspire personal reflection and spiritual preparation during Elul. (Adas Israel Congregation)
- High Holiday Reflections & Teachings • Explore prayers and sermons for reflection throughout the High Holiday season. (Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County)
- High Holiday Sermons • Explore an archive of teachings and reflections from Rosh Hashanah through Neilah. (Kol Shalom)
- High Holiday Sermons • Explore a collection of High Holiday sermons and teachings on Jewish life, values, identity, community, and the questions of the season. (Congregation B’nai Tzedek)
Dig into the meaning, traditions, prayers, and practices of the High Holiday season.
- Rosh Hashanah 101 • Learn about the meaning, traditions, and observance of the Jewish New Year. (My Jewish Learning)
- Yom Kippur 101 • Learn about the meaning, traditions, and observance of the Day of Atonement. (My Jewish Learning)
- Sukkot 101 • Learn about the meaning and traditions of Sukkot, including the sukkah, lulav, and etrog. (My Jewish Learning)
- Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah 101 • Learn about Simchat Torah, Shemini Atzeret, and the completion and renewal of the annual Torah-reading cycle. (My Jewish Learning)
- High Holiday Learning & Resources • Explore a curated collection of articles, podcasts, readings, and other opportunities for learning and reflection. (Congregation Olam Tikvah)
- Learn About the High Holy Days • Explore the meaning and traditions of the High Holidays and other fall holidays, along with recipes and additional resources. (Temple Rodef Shalom)
Connect with the sounds, words, and traditions of High Holiday prayer.
- High Holiday Davening & Melodies • Listen to recordings of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur liturgy, with additional resources for those preparing to lead High Holiday services. (DC Minyan)
- High Holiday Machzor • Explore a community-created High Holiday prayer book. (Hill Havurah)
Find resources for creating meaningful High Holiday moments and traditions wherever you are.
- High Holiday Resources • Explore prayers, reflections, and other resources for bringing meaning to the High Holidays beyond the synagogue. (Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County)
- High Holidays @ Home • Find guidance for observing at home, including prayer, Yizkor, and celebrating on your own. (Chabad East DC)
Explore the stories, traditions, tastes, and meaning of the holiday season together.
- A Time to Grow: A PJ Library Family Guide for Starting the Jewish New Year • Explore a comprehensive family guide to Rosh Hashanah, the Ten Days of Returning, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah, with blessings, rituals, activities, conversation starters, music, and more. Available in multiple languages. (PJ Library)
- Rosh Hashanah • Find stories, activities, recipes, and ideas for welcoming the Jewish New Year with children. (PJ Library)
- Yom Kippur • Explore family-friendly ways to talk about forgiveness, making changes, and the meaning of Yom Kippur. (PJ Library)
- Sukkot • Find stories, activities, recipes, and ideas for bringing the traditions of Sukkot to life as a family. (PJ Library)
- Simchat Torah • Learn about Simchat Torah and find family-friendly ways to celebrate Torah and Jewish learning. (PJ Library)
- High Holiday Resources for Interfaith Families • Explore a downloadable High Holy Days prayer book and family resources for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur created with interfaith families in mind. (Interfaith Families Project of Greater Washington)
There is no single way to experience the High Holidays. These resources can help make the season meaningful for people with different abilities, learning styles, practices, and ways of participating.
- High Holiday Resources for Children and Teens with Disabilities • Explore educational materials designed to make the holidays accessible to children and teens with disabilities and diverse learning needs. (Gateways)
- Meditation Before Yom Kippur for One Who Cannot Fast • A meditation for those who are unable to observe the traditional Yom Kippur fast. (Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, via Congregation Olam Tikvah)
- Accessible High Holidays • Find information about High Holiday services offering accommodations such as ASL interpretation and live captioning, including participating congregations in Greater Washington. (Jewish Deaf Resource Center)