FIVE-YEAR CALENDAR OF MAJOR JEWISH HOLIDAYS

Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix12701 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale 85254 jewishphoenix.org

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This calendar can assist schools as they schedule exams, field trips, sporting events, graduations, etc. Other organizations and the media might find it helpful as well. An explanation of each holiday follows on the second page.

Holidays begin the evening before because a Jewish "day" begins and ends at sunset, rather than at midnight.

Secular/School YearJewish Year

Erev (eve of)Rosh Hashanah *

Rosh Hashanah *

Erev (eve of)Yom Kippur *

Yom Kippur *

Sukkot *

Shemini Atzeret *

Simchat Torah *

Hanukkah

Tu B’Shevat

Purim

First night ofPassover *

Passover*

Shavuot *

Tisha B’Av

*Commonly observed by synagogue attendance or family gatherings. On these days and on the Sabbath (Friday eveningthrough Saturday evening), work is traditionally prohibited; individuals may be absent from school or work.

2019–20205780

Sun / Sep 29

Mon–SatSep 30 – Oct 1

Tue / Oct 8

Wed / Oct 9

Mon–SunOct 14 – 20

Mon / Oct 21

Tue / Oct 22

Sun–MonDec 23 – 30

Mon / Feb 10

Tue / Mar 10

Wed / Apr 8

Thu–ThuApr 9 – 16

Fri–SatMay 29 – 30

Thu / Jul 30

2018–20195779

Sun / Sep 9

Mon–Tue Sep 10–11

Tue / Sep 18

Wed / Sep 19

Mon–SunSep 24–30

Mon / Oct 1

Tue / Oct 2

Mon–MonDec 3 –1 0

Mon / Jan 21

Thu / Mar 21

Fri / Apr 19

Sat–SatApr 20–27

Tue–WedJun 9 – 10

Sun / Aug 11

Sun / Sept 27

Sat / Oct 10

Sun / Oct 11

Thu / Jan 28

2020–20215781

Sat–SunSept 19 – 20

Fri / Sep 18

Mon / Sept 28

Sat–FriOct 3 – 9

Fri–FriDec 11 – 18

Fri / Feb 26

Sat / Mar 27

Sun–SunMar 28 – Apr 4

Mon–TuesMay 17 – 18

Sun / Jul 18

Wed / Sept 15

Tue / Sept 28

Wed / Sept 29

Mon / Jan 17

2021–20225782

Tue–WedSept 7–8

Mon/ Sep 6

Thu / Sept 16

Tue–MonSept 21 – 27

Mon–MonNov 29 – Dec 6

Thu / Mar 17

Fri / Apr 15

Sat–SatApr 16 - 23

Sun–MonJun 5 - 6

Sun / Aug 7

Tue / Oct 4

Mon / Oct 17

Tue / Oct 18

Mon / Feb 6

2022–20235783

Mon–TuesSept 26–27

Sun/ Sep 25

Wed / Oct 5

Mon–SunOct 10 – 16

Mon–MonDec 19 – Dec 26

Tue / Mar 7

Wed / Apr 5

Thu–ThuApr 6 - 13

Fri–SatMay 26 - 27

Thu / Jul 27

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR JEWISH HOLIDAYS

Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix12701 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale 85254 jewishphoenix.org

Please share freely.

Holidays begin the evening before because a Jewish "day" begins and ends at sunset, rather than at midnight.

Rosh Hashanah*(Jewish New Year)

Traditions include eating apples dipped in honey and blowing the shofar (ram’s horn). Most Jews attend synagogue on these two days and the preceding evening.

Yom Kippur* (Day of Atonement)

Considered by Jews to be the holiest and most solemn day of the year. Fasting begins at sundown and ends after nightfall the following day. Most Jews attend synagogue on this day and the preceding evening.

Sukkot*(Feast of Tabernacles or Booths)

A seven-day festival. One of the three pilgrimage festivals mentioned in the Bible. Celebrated by the building of a sukkah, or temporary dwelling, outdoors. Work is traditionally prohibited on the 1st and 2nd days.

Shemini Atzeret*(Eighth day of Sukkot)

Immediately follows the conclusion of Sukkot. Work is traditionally prohibited.

Simchat Torah* (Rejoicing of the Law)

Concludes and begins anew the annual reading cycle of the Torah, the Five Books of Moses that make up the Jewish Bible. Immediately follows Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret. Work is traditionally prohibited.

Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)

An eight-day festival marked by the lighting of candles—one the 1st night, two the 2nd, etc.—using a special candle holder called a menorah or chanukiah. Traditions include spinning dreidels (tops), eating potato latkes (pancakes), and giving gifts.

Tu B’Shevat(New Year of the Trees)

Celebrated as an ecological awareness day. Trees are often planted.

Purim Commemorates the events in the Book of Esther. One of the most joyous holidays. Traditions include wearing costumes and giving care packages to those in need.

Passover* (Pesach)

Commemorates the liberation of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt. A feast called a sederis held on the 1st two nights of the eight-day holiday. Leavened food (e.g., bread, cake) and most grain products are not eaten. Matzah (unleavened bread) is often eaten instead. Work is traditionally prohibited on the 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 8th days.

Shavuot*(Feast of Weeks, Pentecost)

According to Rabbinic tradition, the Ten Commandments were given on this day. It is traditional to eat meals containing dairy.

Tisha B’Av Annual fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Jews from the land of Israel.

*Commonly observed by synagogue attendance or family gatherings. On these days and on the Sabbath (Friday eveningthrough Saturday evening), work is traditionally prohibited; individuals may be absent from school or work.