1. Rituals

2. Jewish Calendar Lunar calendar
Each month beginning on the new moon
Jewish counting of years is based on the number of years since creation according to the Tanakh
Each day on the Jewish calendar begins at sundown

4. Shabbat (Sabbath) Shabbat is the day the Lord rested
Most sacred day for Jews
Begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday
It is celebrated in the synagogue with the focus on the family
It celebrates the heavens and Earth and everything on Earth as gifts from God

5. Pesach (Passover) One of the most important feasts
Basic to Jewish identity
It is celebrated in the first month of the year, on the 15th day of Nisan
Like Easter, it happens around the first full moon after spring equinox
Celebrates the freedom won by Jewish slaves when they escaped from the Egyptian Pharaoh over 3000 years ago
The most important part of the festival is the Passover Seder, a ritual meal during which Jews recall the story of the Exodus from Egypt
Occurs first night of Passover

7. Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year
Means “Head of the Year”
Celebrated in the synagogue
Two day celebration
People declare God king again for the coming year and pray for God’s protection and blessing
Take time to recall how God created the heavens and the Earth
Asks God to remember the covenant and the faith of the ancestors
The sounding of the shofar, or ram’s horn, to herald the start of the new year
Signifies both the need to wake up to the call to repentance, and the Binding of Isaac in which Abraham sacrifices a ram in place of his son, Isaac

8. Yom Kippur
The 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are called the Days of Awe
During this time, Jews turn inward and remember God will be their judge at the end of time
Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement
The 10 days of celebration end with Yom Kippur
It is a solemn day of fasting
Atone for their sins by asking forgiveness from God and anyone they have sinned against over the previous year

9. Chanukah
Celebrates the defeat of the Greeks and the rededication of King Solomon’s Temple by the Maccabees
The Temple was cleansed of idols and rededicated with feasting and great joy
Sometimes referred to as “The Festival of Lights”
A tiny container of oil was found in the Temple, enough to last one day
Miraculously, it burned for eight days and nights
Menorah – Chanukah menorah is nine-branched as opposed to the seven-branched menorah representing the seven days of creation

10. Rites of Passage
Life Cycle Rituals

11. Brit Milah or Bris
8 days after birth of a son, rite of circumcision is performed
Initiates the infant into the people of the covenant
Fulfills the commandment God gave to Abraham
Mohel (usually doctor) performs circumcision in presence of parents, godparents, and other family members and friends
Also the time when baby is given a Hebrew name
Prayer that accompanies the name-giving emphasizes two things: 1) Israel lives on through its bloodline 2) God remembers the covenant made with Abraham forever
Parents of a baby girl can have a Simchat Bat
A ceremony in the synagogue where the baby receives her Hebrew name

12. Bar/Bat Mitzvah
When a boy reaches age 13 plus one day or a girl reaches 12 plus one day
Responsible for observing all of the mitzvot (commandments) of Judaism
Synagogue celebration commonly includes one or more of the following:
reading from the Torah scroll,
reading a selection from the prophets,
leading a portion of the service,
delivering a speech, called a d'var Torah ("word of Torah") about the scriptural readings

13. Marriage Judaism strongly encourages people to marry
Marriage and having a family is the standard way of life for religiously observant Jews
Before a wedding, a marriage contract is prepared to ensure that the husband will treat his wife respectfully and fulfill his obligations to her
The community is expected to help the couple live a life of loyalty and devotion to God and Jewish traditions
Marriage takes place under a chuppah (canopy) to represent the home that will be created together
Groom breaks a glass, recalling the destruction of the Temple and reminding the couple that it is their responsibility to help fix the imperfect world in which they live
The ceremony ends with the recitation of seven blessings for the marriage

14. Death Buried within 1-2 days after death
When a parent dies, a son or daughter recites the kaddish (prayer of sanctification) every morning and evening for 11 months after the death
Sitting shiva for seven days after burial
Wear sombre clothing and torn garment
Mourners gather at one home and receive visitors, who often bring food so the grieving family does not have to worry about ordinary activities like cooking

15. Homework
Complete worksheet