Jewish Holidays
What each holiday means, how to say it, and when The J celebrates it. Jewish holidays begin and end at sunset.
Coming Up
Dates and candle-lighting times for Dallas, updated automatically.
The Holidays
The Sabbath. Commemorates God's day of rest on the seventh day of creation. Begins every Friday evening.
The New Year. The anniversary of the birthday of the world; a day of judgment for the year past.
The Day of Atonement. A day of prayer, meditation, and fasting to begin the year with a clear conscience.
The Feast of Tabernacles. Recalls the Jews' journey from Egypt, when they lived in temporary booths.
The eighth day of Sukkot. Prayers are said for rain and good crops.
Feast of Dedication. Eight days celebrating the victory over the Syrians in 165 BCE and the return of political and religious freedom.
The 15th of Shevat. The birthday of the trees and the start of spring in Israel.
Feast of Lots. The jolliest holiday, commemorating how Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai saved the Jews of Persia.
Passover. Commemorates slavery in Egypt, the Exodus, and the beginning of Jewish independence.
The 33rd day of the Omer. A day of rejoicing in a period of mourning; a scholars' holiday celebrating Jewish survival.
Israel Independence Day. Marks the creation of the modern State of Israel on May 14, 1948.
Feast of Harvest. A thanksgiving and early wheat harvest feast, and the giving of the Ten Commandments at Sinai.
The 9th of Av. A solemn day of fasting and mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples.
Holiday Events at The J
Campus Closures
The J closes or shortens hours on major Jewish holidays and some national holidays. The closures page lists the current year; the pools follow the aquatics holiday schedule.
Contact
rweisscrane@jccdallas.org · (214) 239-7128
Celebrate With Us
Holiday programs for families, adults, and the whole community.