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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260505
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260506
DTSTAMP:20260422T181459
CREATED:20260107T043700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043700Z
UID:6815-1777939200-1778025599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Lag BaOmer
DESCRIPTION:Celebrated on the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer holy period\, Lag B´Omer (or Lag BaOmer) recalls great sages and ancient miracles. \nIs Lag B´Omer a Public Holiday?\nWhile this is not a public holiday in the United States\, some Jewish-run organizations are closed on this date. \nWhen Is Lag B´Omer?\nLag B´Omer is celebrated on the 18th day of the month of Iyar in the Hebrew calendar\, which usually falls in May in the Gregorian calendar. \nCounting of the Sheaves\nThe name of this holiday refers to the 33rd day of the Omer\, which translates from Hebrew as a sheaf of wheat or barley. \nA passage in the Torah´s book of Leviticus says that God commanded people to make an offering of a sheaf of barley on each of the 50 days between Passover and Shavuot. \nThe day numbers of 1-50 are called out in the temple after each evening service\, a tradition that became known as the “Counting of the Omer”. \nWhile the origin of this holiday is not entirely clear\, some historians speculate that the 33rd day of this counting was singled out for celebration because an ancient spring festival was also celebrated on this date. Another popular theory is that this was the day that a plague that ravaged the famed Rabbi Akiva’s students in the second century CE suddenly ended. \nBonfires and Bows\nBonfires often light up the sky to celebrate Lag B´Omer. Some scholars say this is meant to represent the teaching and enlightenment\, or “spiritual light” brought into the world by 2nd-century Judean sage Simeon ben Yochai. \nOther historians think there may be a connection between the traditional celebration of Lag B´Omer and European May Day festivals featuring bonfires. \nIn Israel\, a major Lag B´Omer celebration is held at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai\, where large crowds celebrate with bonfires\, torches\, song\, dancing\, and feasting. \nArchery bows also play a part in Lag B´Omer celebrations\, particularly among children. The bow is meant to recall the rainbow sent by God in the aftermath of the great flood as a sign of hope. The Hebrew word for both bow and rainbow is keshet\, so children are often encouraged to play games with bows and arrows as a special part of the observance. \nA Ritual Haircut\nAnother Lag B´Omer tradition is upsherin\, a ceremonial hair cutting usually given to three-year-old boys. In more religious and Hasidic communities\, the boys typically have not had their hair trimmed before this age. \nIn fact\, the Talmud forbids the cutting of hair during the entire Counting of the Omer period\, except on the date of Lag B´Omer. In some places\, the boy´s parents give out wine and sweets in celebration to onlookers while their child gets his first haircut. \nJewish Holidays Last Longer Outside of Israel\nIn the Jewish diaspora—Jewish communities outside of Israel—an extra day is usually added to religious observances\, with the exception of Yom Kippur\, which lasts only one day worldwide\, and Rosh Hashana\, which is celebrated over two days in both Israel and the diaspora. \nThis custom has its roots in ancient times when the beginning of the months in the Jewish calendar still relied on the sighting of the crescent Moon following a New Moon. \nThe beginning of a new month was determined by the Sanhedrin\, the supreme court of ancient Israel in Jerusalem. Once the date was published\, messengers were dispatched to spread the news among Jews living abroad. Since this process took some time\, it was decreed that Jews outside of ancient Israel were to observe every holiday for two days to make sure the rules and customs applicable to each holiday were observed on the proper date. This rule is still observed today.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/lag-baomer-2/
CATEGORIES:Jewish
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260522
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260523
DTSTAMP:20260422T181459
CREATED:20260107T043842Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043842Z
UID:6880-1779408000-1779494399@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Shavuot
DESCRIPTION:Jewish communities recall the date Moses received the Ten Commandments and celebrate a time of harvest on Shavuot. \nIs Shavuot a Public Holiday?\nWhile this is not a public holiday in the United States\, some Jewish-run organizations are closed on this date. \nWhen Is Shavuot?\nShavuot is celebrated on the 6th day of the month of Sivan in the Hebrew calendar\, which usually falls in May in the Gregorian calendar. \nA Sacred Pact in the Desert\nShavuot represents both the end of a holy period of seven weeks after Passover and the start of the covenant\, or sacred pact\, between God and the Jewish people. \nThe biblical story holds that while the Israelites were encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai\, Moses climbed to the summit and received the Ten Commandments on the 50th day after their flight from slavery in Egypt. On that day\, it is said the mountain bloomed into greenery. \nToday\, Shavuot is used to focus on spiritual cleansing meant to purify worshippers for a new year\, and to celebrate the first harvest of crops. \nIn more religious communities\, students may stay up all night to study the Torah on the eve of Shavuot. This tradition is thought to be an act of repentance for the Israelites\, who were said to have overslept on the day that Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the commandments. \nFirst Fruits and Cheesecake\nFor many Jews\, Shavuot is primarily a harvest celebration. In ancient times\, a gold basket bearing the first “fruits” or harvest of crops was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem on this date. Among the offerings were barley\, dates\, figs\, grapes\, olives\, pomegranates\, and wheat. Today\, symbolic baskets are often created for the holiday and may include other crops grown in Jewish communities. \nAnother modern tradition is eating dairy foods. The biblical reason for this is that Shavuot is connected to the nation´s exodus from Egypt into the Promised Land\, where\, according to the Book of Exodus\, the Jews went “From the misery of Egypt to a country flowing with milk and honey…” (Exodus 3:8-17). \nIn the Ashkenazi\, or European Jewish community\, foods made with dairy products like cheesecake and blintzes are served to echo that scripture passage. Sephardic or North African Jewish communities prefer cheese kelsonnes (a kind of ravioli) and a seven–layer cake known as Siete Cielos (Seven Heavens) to celebrate the day. \nSome other religious traditions have holidays that echo the timing of Shavuot. The Christian festival of Pentecost\, for example\, is observed seven weeks\, or 49 days\, after Easter Sunday\, and celebrates a similar idea of the passing of divine wisdom or spirit to a group of followers. \nJewish Holidays Last Longer outside of Israel\nIn the Jewish diaspora—Jewish communities outside of Israel—an extra day is usually added to religious observances\, with the exception of Yom Kippur\, which lasts only one day worldwide\, and Rosh Hashana\, which is celebrated over two days in both Israel and the diaspora. \nThis custom has its roots in ancient times when the beginning of the months in the Jewish calendar still relied on the sighting of the crescent Moon following a New Moon. \nThe beginning of a new month was determined by the Sanhedrin\, the supreme court of ancient Israel in Jerusalem. Once the date was published\, messengers were dispatched to spread the news among Jews living abroad. Since this process took some time\, it was decreed Jews outside of ancient Israel were to observe every holiday for two days to make sure that the rules and customs
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/shavuot-2/
CATEGORIES:Jewish
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260723
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260724
DTSTAMP:20260422T181459
CREATED:20260107T043915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043915Z
UID:6902-1784764800-1784851199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Tisha B'Av
DESCRIPTION:Prayer\, fasting\, and abstinence mark Tisha B´Av as a day of mourning for tragic events in Jewish history. \nIs Tisha B´Av a Public Holiday?\nWhile this is not a public holiday in the United States\, some Jewish-run organizations are closed on this date. \nWhen Is Tisha B´Av?\nTisha B´Av is celebrated on the 9th day of the month of Av in the Hebrew calendar\, which falls in July or August in the Gregorian calendar. \nDestruction of the Temples\nThis commemoration recalls the destruction of the two great temples of Jerusalem: Solomon´s First Temple razed by the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE\, and the Second Temple\, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. \nOther tragedies are also recalled on this date\, such as the expulsion of Jews from England\, Spain\, and other countries\, and the massacre of Jewish people during the Crusades and the Holocaust. \nAs a result\, this holiday is generally considered the saddest day of the Jewish calendar. Tisha B´Av is also believed to be a day that is likely to produce tragic outcomes\, so many religious Jews do not hold weddings on this date. \nFive Prohibitions and Lamentations\nTraditionally\, the Talmud´s Book of Lamentations is read in the synagogue on Tisha B´Av\, followed by dirges known as kinot. \nOn the day\, there are prohibitions dictated by scripture and tradition\, including: \n\nNo eating or drinking.\nNo washing or bathing.\nUse of scented creams or oils is not allowed.\nWearing leather shoes is forbidden.\nThere are edicts against physical affection and sexual relations on this date.\n\nFor more religious people\, only sad texts from the Torah may be studied on Tisha B´Av. And some sit on low stools and sleep on the floor as a part of the mourning tradition. \nJewish Holidays Last Longer outside of Israel\nIn the Jewish diaspora—Jewish communities outside of Israel—an extra day is usually added to religious observances\, with the exception of Yom Kippur\, which lasts only one day worldwide\, and Rosh Hashana\, which is celebrated over two days in both Israel and the diaspora. \nThis custom has its roots in ancient times when the beginning of the months in the Jewish calendar still relied on the sighting of the crescent Moon following a New Moon. \nThe beginning of a new month was determined by the Sanhedrin\, the supreme court of ancient Israel in Jerusalem. Once the date was published\, messengers were dispatched to spread the news among Jews living abroad. Since this process took some time\, it was decreed that Jews outside of ancient Israel were to observe every holiday for two days to make sure the rules and customs applicable to each holiday were observed on the proper date. This rule is still observed today.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/tisha-bav-2/
CATEGORIES:Jewish
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/OIP-2-8CyHRc.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260912
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260913
DTSTAMP:20260422T181459
CREATED:20260107T043840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043840Z
UID:6877-1789171200-1789257599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Rosh Hashana
DESCRIPTION:Jewish families usher in the Hebrew calendar´s New Year with a trumpeting ram´s horn and sweet apples with honey. \nIs Rosh Hashanah a Public Holiday?\nWhile this is not a public holiday in the United States\, many Jewish-run organizations are closed during the two-day celebration. \nWhen Is Rosh Hashanah?\nThe Jewish New Year starts on the first day of the month of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar\, which usually falls between early September and early October in the Gregorian calendar. \nA Blast From a Ram´s Horn\nIn the Old Testament\, the New Year is referred to as Yom Teruah (“a day of shouting or blasting.”) Many Jewish people in the United States attend Rosh Hashanah services at a synagogue to hear the trumpet-like blasting of a shofar (hollow ram´s horn). \nIn most temples\, this ancient instrument is blown for 100 blasts on each day of the holiday. The trumpeting of the horn is meant as a kind of wake-up call to inspire the worshipers to reflect on their lives\, repent\, and focus again on divinity. \nIn recent years\, the haunting sound of the shofar has found its way into popular culture\, most notably appearing in Jerry Goldsmith´s score for the film “Alien.” \nDays of Awe\nTraditionally\, Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve and starts a period known as the High Holy Days or Ten Days of Awe. \nThe biblical belief is that God judges all creatures during this stretch of time\, writing the names of the righteous into the “Book of Life” and giving those who are not yet fully righteous the chance to perform teshuvah (repentance). \nBecause of this belief\, religious Jewish communities think of Rosh Hashana as a particularly good time to settle disputes\, pray\, and do good deeds. \nAnother custom for some Jews is tashlich (a casting off of sin). Pieces of bread representing the sins of the past year are tossed into a moving body of water such as a river to drift away\, allowing the person to feel cleansed and able to start again with a clean slate. \nApples and Honey\nMany Jewish families in the United States host festive meals on Rosh Hashana. Apples and honey\, round challah bread with raisins\, and sweet carrot tzimmes are served\, representing hope for the year to come. A prayer is often recited over the table that translates as: “May it be Your will to renew for us a good and sweet year.” \nPomegranates are also part of the holiday feast\, often served after a prayer that reads\, “may our merits be many like the (seeds of the) pomegranate.”
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/rosh-hashana-2/
CATEGORIES:Jewish
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260921
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260922
DTSTAMP:20260422T181459
CREATED:20260107T043942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043942Z
UID:6914-1789948800-1790035199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Yom Kippur
DESCRIPTION:The Jewish Day of Atonement is marked by reflection\, fasting\, and solemn prayers for forgiveness. \nIs Yom Kippur a Public Holiday?\nWhile Yom Kippur is not a public holiday in the United States\, many Jewish-run organizations are closed on this day. \nWhen Is Yom Kippur?\nThe Day of Atonement (or Repentance) is observed on the tenth day of the month of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar\, which usually falls between mid-September and mid-October in the Gregorian calendar. \nIt marks the end of the ten-day period known as the High Holy Days\, (also referred to as Yamim Noraim or Days of Awe) that begin with the Jewish New Year\, Rosh Hashanna. \nA Time To Right Wrongs\nYom Kippur is considered the ideal time in the Jewish calendar to repent and start the new year cleansed of sin. \nThe traditional belief is that God writes one´s fate into the Book of Life on the Jewish New Year and worshipers have the ten day period between that day\, known as Rosh Hashana\, and Yom Kippur to atone for sins and pray for forgiveness. \nAt the end of Yom Kippur\, it is said that God seals the Book of Life and one’s fate is set for the coming year. \nFasting\, Self-Denial\, and Charity\nIn the Book of Leviticus\, the Torah (Jewish Bible) states that Yom Kippur should be a day of “self-denial.” Many Jews honor that principle by fasting on the holiday to cleanse the spirit and build empathy for those who suffer from hunger. \nSome religious Jews take the self-denial principle further\, refraining from bathing\, using cosmetics\, wearing leather shoes\, and having sexual relations on Yom Kippur. \nAnother act of repentance is making donations to charity in the week before the holy day. Kapparot is an ancient giving tradition followed by some Orthodox Jews that involves swinging a bag of coins or even a live chicken overhead while praying\, then donating those items to the poor. \nBagels and Boundaries\nAfter the final Yom Kippur service\, hungry worshippers often gather for a break-fast meal. In the United States\, bagels with lax (smoked salmon)\, blintzes (crepes with filling)\, and sweet kugel (noodle pudding) are particular favorites for the occasion. \nSome Jewish Americans can find themselves caught in a conflict between their jobs and the sacred status of Yom Kippur. In 1965\, the great baseball player Sandy Koufax refused to pitch in a World Series game because it fell on the holiday. His replacement that day failed miserably and told the manager after the game: “I bet you wish I was Jewish too.” \nFive Prayer Services\nOrdinary days for religious Jews include three prayer services\, but Yom Kippur is celebrated with five\, and some ceremonies feature confessions of sins. \nOn the first night\, the ancient prayer Kol Nidre is recited. Much of the next day is usually spent at the synagogue with special ceremonies including Yizkor\, a remembrance of loved ones who have passed on. \nAt dusk\, services conclude with the Ne ila (closing) prayer and the ritual blowing of a hollow ram´s horn to mark the time when the Gates of Prayer will be closed. \nFrom the Time of Moses\nYom Kippur´s biblical roots stretch all the way back to the time of Moses. The narrative says that after wandering in the desert for years following their flight from Egypt\, the tribes of Israel famously strayed from monotheism and started worshiping a golden calf while Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. \nThe Torah says that Moses smashed the stone tablets in anger when he returned and discovered the religious betrayal. So he climbed back to the top of the peak to ask for divine forgiveness for the people\, finally returning with a new set of commandments on the day that is now marked as Yom Kippur.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/yom-kippur-2/
CATEGORIES:Jewish
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260926
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260927
DTSTAMP:20260422T181459
CREATED:20260107T043627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043627Z
UID:6790-1790380800-1790467199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:First Day of Sukkot
DESCRIPTION:Known as the Feast of Tabernacles\, Sukkot recalls the biblical story of the Jewish people´s years of wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. \nIs Sukkot a Public Holiday?\nWhile this is not a public holiday in the United States\, some Jewish-run organizations are closed during Sukkot. \nWhen Is Sukkot?\nSukkot is observed for seven days starting on the fifteenth day of the month of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar\, which falls in September or October in the Gregorian calendar. \nA Sukkah to Recall Wandering\nAlso known as the Feast of the Booths\, this holiday recalls an important story of suffering from the book of Exodus. For forty years\, the Israelites wandered in the desert after fleeing from Egypt\, taking shelter in temporary dwellings before finding a homeland in Canaan. \nTo recall that time of trial\, Jewish families usually construct a sukkah\, or primitive shelter\, out of palm branches\, bamboo\, pine\, and other wood to host guests for meals. \nThanksgiving\nThese simple structures are also meant to represent the huts used by farmers to shelter from the Sun in the fields\, so the celebration is also thought of as a form of harvest festival. The timing of Sukkot matches the end of the harvest season in Israel. \nOpen Sky\nSukkot shelters and rituals have some unique features with symbolic meanings in Judaism. For example\, all sukkah must have holes in the roof to be able to view the sky\, or God’s heaven\, as a reminder that the divine is the only true form of security. \nThe Four Species\nEach day of the festival features a waving ceremony with the Four Species—four plants mentioned in the Torah as being connected to Sukkot. They are: \n\nPalm (lulav)\nWillow (aravah)\nMyrtle (hadass)\nCitron or citrus fruit (etrog)\n\nReligious Jews tie together bundles of branches of these species\, and wave them while reciting prayers (except on Shabbat\, or the sabbath) during the holiday. \nWhile there are no particular foods associated with Sukkot\, stuffed dumplings known as kreplach and fresh fruits and vegetables are often served to guests in the sukkah. \nBeating the Willows\nAt the end of the holiday\, a special ritual takes place at the synagogue. The Torah\, or holy scriptures\, are taken from the ark and worshippers circle the temple seven times while praying. The service concludes with a blessing and a traditional beating of a willow branch on the earth to call for rainfall and a good harvest. \nJewish Holidays Last Longer Outside of Israel\nIn the Jewish diaspora—Jewish communities outside of Israel—an extra day is usually added to religious observances\, with the exception of Yom Kippur\, which lasts only one day worldwide\, and Rosh Hashana\, which is celebrated over two days in both Israel and the diaspora. \nThis custom has its roots in ancient times when the beginning of the months in the Jewish calendar still relied on the sighting of the crescent Moon following a New Moon. \nThe beginning of a new month was determined by the Sanhedrin\, the supreme court of ancient Israel in Jerusalem. Once the date was published\, messengers were dispatched to spread the news among Jews living abroad. Since this process took some time\, it was decreed that Jews outside of ancient Israel were to observe every holiday for two days to make sure the rules and customs applicable to each holiday were observed on the proper date. This rule is still observed today.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/first-day-of-sukkot-2/
CATEGORIES:Jewish
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/sukkot-DlIbNh.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261002
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261003
DTSTAMP:20260422T181459
CREATED:20260107T043713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043713Z
UID:6821-1790899200-1790985599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Last Day of Sukkot (Hoshana Rabbah)
DESCRIPTION:Considered the end of the “Days of Judgment\,” Hoshana Rabbah marks the completion of Sukkot and features a special ceremony with willow branches. \nIs Hoshana Rabbah a Public Holiday?\nWhile this is not a public holiday in the United States\, some Jewish-run organizations are closed on this date. \nWhen Is Hoshana Rabbah?\nHoshana Rabbah is celebrated on the 21st day of the month of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar\, which usually falls in October in the Gregorian calendar. \nStriking of the Willows\nDuring Hoshana Rabbah services\, the Torah scrolls are taken out of the Ark and held above the temple´s bimah or Torah reading table. The congregation then makes a procession of seven circuits around the bimah while reciting special Hoshaanot prayers. \nTraditionally\, each worshiper holds a lulav and etrog\, or bundle of branches from date palm\, myrtle\, willow\, and citron trees during this procession. \nAt the conclusion of the circuits\, a bundle of five willow branches is beaten on the earth five times to symbolize the elimination of sin and as a prayer for good rainfall and bountiful crops in the coming year. \nAfterward\, a festive meal is often served in a sukkah\, an outdoor shelter specially built for the Sukkot holiday. Bread and honey are often served\, along with triangular kreplach dumplings filled with ground beef or chicken. \nA Final Chance to Change Fate\nHoshana Rabbah is thought of as the end of a period known as the Days of Judgment that begins on Rosh Hashanah\, continues through Yom Kippur\, and ends on the last day of Sukkot. \nSome ancient scholars held that divine judgment for the coming year is decided on Yom Kippur\, but not delivered until the day of Hoshana Rabbah. So the belief is that there is still a chance to influence the final verdict on one’s fate up until this time. \nJews often greet each other with a special blessing on this holiday using the Aramaic “pitka tava\,” or Yiddish “a guten kvitel\,” both translating as a hope that the divine verdict will be positive. \nThere are some small variations in traditions for Hoshana Rabbah. Sephardic Jewish communities include prayers for forgiveness known as selichot before services\, and some congregations include shofar or ram´s horn soundings with the processions. \nJewish Holidays Last Longer Outside of Israel\nIn the Jewish diaspora—Jewish communities outside of Israel—an extra day is usually added to religious observances\, with the exception of Yom Kippur\, which lasts only one day worldwide\, and Rosh Hashana\, which is celebrated over two days in both Israel and the diaspora. \nThis custom has its roots in ancient times when the beginning of the months in the Jewish calendar still relied on the sighting of the crescent Moon following a New Moon. \nThe beginning of a new month was determined by the Sanhedrin\, the supreme court of ancient Israel in Jerusalem. Once the date was published\, messengers were dispatched to spread the news among Jews living abroad. Since this process took some time\, it was decreed that Jews outside of ancient Israel were to observe every holiday for two days to make sure the rules and customs applicable to each holiday were observed on the proper date. This rule is still observed today.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/last-day-of-sukkot-hoshana-rabbah/
CATEGORIES:Jewish
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/istock-1180287199-HXd26x.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261003
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261004
DTSTAMP:20260422T181459
CREATED:20260107T043844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043844Z
UID:6882-1790985600-1791071999@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Shmini Atzeret
DESCRIPTION:Often thought of as the eighth day of Sukkot\, Shemini Atzeret is considered a time for Jewish people to renew their connection with divinity. \nIs Shemini Atzeret a Public Holiday?\nWhile this is not a public holiday in the United States\, many Jewish-run organizations are closed on this date. \nWhen Is Shemini Atzeret?\nShemi Atzeret is celebrated on the twenty-second day of the month of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar\, which usually falls between late September and early October in the Gregorian calendar. It is immediately followed by Simchat Torah. \nTo Tarry with the Divine\nOn the first night after the holiday of Sukkot\, the opening blessing Shehecheyanu is recited\, signaling the start of Shemini Atzeret\, which is both a new holiday and one that is connected to Sukkot. \nDrawn from the Hebrew words for “eighth” (Shemini) and “assembly” (Atzeret)\, the name of this holiday is also related to the idea of atzor\, “a pause or tarry.” Many scholars of Judaism believe this to be a time for people to pause or tarry and spend more time with God after the seven days of Sukkot celebrations during the previous week. \nSome rabbinic teachers explain the nature of this holiday with a parable of a king who calls in his sons to stay with him for some days. When the time comes for them to leave\, he asks them to stay on for yet another day\, since it is so difficult for him to part from them. Some see a metaphor in this for the relationship between God and the Jewish people. \nA Just Rain\nOne feature of Shemini Atzeret is the prayer for rain and a good harvest that is traditionally recited as a reading from the torah scrolls on this date. Some scholars believe this tradition is related to the idea that Shimini Atzeret comes shortly after the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur\, so worshippers are asking for the gift of rain at a time when they are cleansed of sin. \nIn Talmudic literature\, there is a concept that rain is metaphorical for God’s justice and this benevolence is meted out on the basis of worthiness. With this in mind\, Seimini Atzeret is seen as the best time to pray for rain. \nJewish Holidays Last Longer Outside of Israel\nIn the Jewish diaspora—Jewish communities outside of Israel—an extra day is usually added to religious observances\, with the exception of Yom Kippur\, which lasts only one day worldwide\, and Rosh Hashana\, which is celebrated over two days in both Israel and the diaspora. \nThis custom has its roots in ancient times when the beginning of the months in the Jewish calendar still relied on the sighting of the crescent Moon following a New Moon. \nThe beginning of a new month was determined by the Sanhedrin\, the supreme court of ancient Israel in Jerusalem. Once the date was published\, messengers were dispatched to spread the news among Jews living abroad. Since this process took some time\, it was decreed that Jews outside of ancient Israel were to observe every holiday for two days to make sure the rules and customs applicable to each holiday were observed on the proper date. This rule is still observed today.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/shmini-atzeret-2/
CATEGORIES:Jewish
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261004
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261005
DTSTAMP:20260422T181459
CREATED:20260107T043856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043856Z
UID:6886-1791072000-1791158399@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Simchat Torah
DESCRIPTION:Immediately following Shemini Atzeret\, Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Torah) celebrates the start of a new year of scripture readings. \nIs Simchat Torah a Public Holiday?\nWhile Simchat Torah is not a public holiday in the United States\, many Jewish-run organizations are closed on this date. \nWhen Is Simchat Torah?\nSimchat Torah is celebrated on the twenty-third day of the month of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar\, which usually falls between late September and early October in the Gregorian calendar. \nRejoicing with the Torah\nJewish study of the scriptures\, or Torah\, is structured as a yearly cycle. This holiday marks the end of the past year´s cycle of Torah readings and the start of a new one. In general\, Simchat Torah is considered a part of the Shemini Atzeret holiday\, which follows Sukkot in the Jewish calendar. \nDuring Simchat Torah services\, the ark containing the holy scriptures is opened and the Torah scrolls are taken out to be carried around the sanctuary seven times in circuits known as hakafot. The worshipers dance and sing in celebration as the scrolls are borne around the synagogue. \nIn more religious communities\, this joyous communion with the Torah can continue for hours\, and the celebration can spill out into the surrounding neighborhood. \nTraditionally\, the crowd of worshippers sing out with Torah poems\, biblical chants\, praises of God\, and prayers to re-establish the Temple in Jerusalem. Children are often given sweets to eat and flags to wave as part of the festivities. \nAliyah\nOn the day of Simchat Torah\, worshippers are invited to come to the altar (bimah) to read a segment from the Torah and recite a special prayer. This practice is called aliyah. \nChildren are often called up to a special Simchat Torah aliyah called Kol HaNe’arim. For this rite\, a prayer shawl\, or tallit\, is often spread over the heads of the children\, and Jacob’s blessing is read: “May the angel who redeemed me from all harm bless the youths\, and may they be called by my name and the name of my fathers\, Abraham and Isaac\, and may they multiply abundantly like fish\, in the midst of the land.” \nJewish Holidays Last Longer Outside of Israel\nIn the Jewish diaspora—Jewish communities outside of Israel—an extra day is usually added to religious observances\, with the exception of Yom Kippur\, which lasts only one day worldwide\, and Rosh Hashana\, which is celebrated over two days in both Israel and the diaspora. \nThis custom has its roots in ancient times when the beginning of the months in the Jewish calendar still relied on the sighting of the crescent Moon following a New Moon. \nThe beginning of a new month was determined by the Sanhedrin\, the supreme court of ancient Israel in Jerusalem. Once the date was published\, messengers were dispatched to spread the news among Jews living abroad. Since this process took some time\, it was decreed that Jews outside of ancient Israel were to observe every holiday for two days to make sure the rules and customs applicable to each holiday were observed on the proper date. This rule is still observed today.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/simchat-torah-2/
CATEGORIES:Jewish
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261205
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261206
DTSTAMP:20260422T181459
CREATED:20260107T040426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T040426Z
UID:6762-1796428800-1796515199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Chanukah/Hanukkah (first day)
DESCRIPTION:Known as the Festival of Lights\, Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is an eight-night holiday that recalls an ancient miracle and celebrates religious freedom. \nIs Hanukkah a Public Holiday?\nWhile this is not a public holiday in the United States\, some Jewish-run organizations might be closed during the festival. \nWhen Is Hanukkah?\nHanukkah (or Chanukah) starts on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar\, which usually falls in late November or early December in the Gregorian calendar. \nThe holiday lasts for eight nights\, ending on the 2nd of the Jewish month of Tevet. \nLighting The Candles\nAt sundown on the first night of Hanukkah\, Jewish households in the United States often say blessings in Hebrew before lighting the traditional menorah (or hanukiah). \nThis special candelabra’s nine arms hold one light for each night of the eight-day holiday\, plus a single candle called the shamash (helper) used to light the others. Each night\, a new candle is added to the menorah until all eight are lit. \nFood\, Song\, Games\, and Gelt\nAt Hanukkah celebrations\, families gather to share meals\, sing songs\, and play games with a spinning top called a dreidel. Packets of money\, or gelt\, are often handed out to children and\, in some homes\, Hanukkah is a time for gift-giving. \nSince oil is a big part of the Hanukkah story\, special foods prepared in oil are on the holiday table of many Jewish families. Classic dishes like crisp potato pancakes (latkes)\, sweet sufganiyot (doughnuts)\, crunchy mandelbrot (almond bread)\, and flavorful rugelach (filled pastry) are favorites across the country. \nThe Tradition of Merendas\nWhile most Jewish households in the United States trace their lineage back to an Ashkenazy (European) source\, some Jewish Americans are descended from Sephardic (Iberian and North African) heritage. \nMany Sephardic Jews have their own food traditions for Hanukkah\, such as the merenda\, a pot luck dinner held on the last night of the festival. Crisp\, chewy cheese balls and donuts drizzled with honey called bimuelos are highlights of the merenda table. \nHistory and Symbolism\nThe origin story of Hanukkah is based on events that took place in the Middle East more than 2000 years ago. \nAfter a victory in their rebellion against the Greeks in the Maccabean War of 162 BCE\, the Jewish people began a ritual cleansing and re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem\, the faith’s holiest site. \nTo perform the rituals\, holy oil was needed to light the Temple’s lamp\, or menorah. According to the legend\, when Jewish forces took control of the holy site\, there was only a small jug of sanctified oil remaining – just enough to burn for a single day. \nSince the rules for creating new fuel called for a strict eight-day purification period for the oil makers\, the Jewish forces faced a dilemma. They needed to purify the temple\, but didn’t have enough holy oil to keep the lamps lit for the entire period\, as required by scripture. \nThe story of Hanukkah says that the remaining one-day supply of sacred fuel miraculously burned for eight days\, allowing the rituals to be performed and the Temple purified. \nFor many people\, this miracle of the lights has come to symbolize the perseverance of Judaism through the trials of history since the time of the Temple. \nToday\, Hanukkah celebrations often include words of appreciation for religious liberty and prayers of gratitude for the faith’s survival. \n 
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/chanukah-hanukkah-first-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Jewish
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