Major Jewish Holidays

--“Jewish New Year” --Western New Year ≠ Jewish New Year --Observances: casting away sins, no work, day of prayer

--Jewish Year 5770: sunset September 18, nightfall September 20, Jewish Year 5771: sunset September 8, 2010 – nightfall September 10, 2010

Rosh Hashanah Apples with Honey

--Day of Atonement --at-one-ment --Last chance to change your judgment --Observances: 25-hour fast, prayer, absolutely no work --Considered holiest day of the year

--”passing over” the Jews when God was slaying the first born of Egypt --Observances: cannot eat chametz—any bread that has not been cooked within 18 minutes after the grain has come into contact with water. --Bread did not raise—symbolically removing the “puffiness” or arrogance from our lives

Passover --Specific order to what cannot be eaten, when, how it is prepared, and when hands must be washed during food preparation

--Celebration of a military battle --Festival of Lights and the oil-based miracle --Menorah --Eight Nights --Observances: eating, playing games, gelt, prayers

Chanukah --to celebrate the oil-based miracle, Jews eat food rich in oil: latkes, sufganiyot, and some types of cheese.