of "casting away our sins:" This ceremony
is called tashlich. Sept. 16, 2004
TZOM GEDALIAH/Fast Of Gedaliah
This minor fast day (Tishrei 3) recalls the
slaying of Gedaliah, who the Babylonians
appointed governor of Judah after they cap-
tured Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E. He and his
aides were killed by another Jew, Ishmael
Nethaniah, who sought disunity and disrup-
tion. Some see this holiday as a paradigm
for the Jewish community today, when it is
often marked by strife and disunity within.
Sept. 19, 2004
SHABBAT/The Sabbath
The weekly Shabbat observance begins at sun-
down each Friday evening with the lighting of
candles at home and a synagogue service
called Kabbalat Shabbat.
Friday night observances at home often
include a festive dinner that begins by reciting
the Kiddush, the prayer over wine, and
HaMotzi, the prayer over challah (egg bread).
Saturday observances for Shabbat include serv-
ices, a festive luncheon and an afternoon of
rest. A light third meal, called seudah shilishit
(pronounced "sooda shillysheet"), also is tradi-
tional.
Shabbat concludes on Saturday night with
the Havdalah (separation) ceremony. Spices, a
special braided candle and wine are used in
this Sabbath closing ceremony.
ROSH CHODESH/
First Day Of The New Month
Rosh Chodesh means "head of the month."
It is noted by reciting special prayers during
the regular Shabbat services, including
Hallel, a series of psalms.
Tradition tells us that because women did
not participate in the sin of the Golden Calf
in the wilderness, they were given Rosh
Chodesh as a gift. For this reason, women's
study sessions and prayer groups often meet
on Rosh Chodesh.
ROSH HASHANAH/Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah (Tishrei 1-2) begins a 10-day
period of repentance that lasts through Yom
Kippur.
The shofar, usually a ram's horn, is blown
during services. Home observances include
festive meals with traditional foods, such as a
round loaf of challah and apples dipped in
honey, symbolizing wholeness and sweetness
for the new year.
New Year's greeting cards often are sent
to friends and family. On the first day of
Rosh Hashanah, it is traditional to drop
breadcrumbs into a river or pond as symbols
YOM KIPPUR/Day Of Atonement
The most solemn day of the year (Tishrei
10), Yom Kippur concludes the High Holy
Days. Yom Kippur is marked by fasting,
prayer and teshuvah (repentance) as Jews
reflect on their relationships with other peo-
ple and with God.
Prior to sunset on the evening before Yom
Kippur, families eat a pre-fasting meal, can-
dles are lit and everyone goes to services
where the haunting Kol Nidre (All Vows)
prayer is chanted just before sundown.
Yom Kippur services continue throughout
the next day and conclude that evening at
nightfall, after the recitation of the Neilah
prayer, recited with the Ark open, and a
final blast of the shofar. Sept. 25, 2004
SUKKOT/Feast Of Tabernacles
Sukkot (Tishrei 15-21) means "booths," and
during this seven-day holiday we eat many
of our meals inside a temporary booth,
open to the sky, called a sukkah. "Do-it-
yourself" sukkot kits are available from
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■ 2004-2005 Community Directory
RI).
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